Uncertain future for general manager Richard Clarke at Imperial Hotel, formerly Palazzo Versace

A world-renowned Gold Coast hotel could soon be on the hunt for its seventh general manager in less than a decade, with the incumbent nowhere to be seen.

The hotel formerly known as Palazzo Versace could soon be on the hunt for its seventh general manager in less than a decade, with Richard Clarke understood to have left amid a disagreement with the owners.

Industry sources say Mr Clarke was well-liked at the luxury resort, renamed the Imperial Hotel last July, but had been vocal about his hopes its would find new owners to restore it.

It is understood Mr Clarke had a disagreement with the owners, China’s Dong Run Group, which acquired the 200-room luxury hotel for $68.5m in 2012 through a company called Nanbai Australia.

An email from the Imperial’s marketing team said Mr Clarke had “not been terminated” but did not answer a question on the future of the general manager’s role.

It said he was unavailable for comment on behalf of the hotel.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has also contacted Mr Clarke directly for comment.

Richard Clarke with the new Imperial Hotel signage at the hotel formerly known as Palazzo Versace. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

If he doesn’t return, he would be the sixth GM to leave the luxury hotel’s top job since it was sold by its developer Sunland.

His predecessor, Jane Kingston, resigned in May 2021 after a bitter dispute with wealthy owners of the resort’s apartments.

Ms Kingston, said at the time she’d rather be “doused in petrol” and set alight than deal with the condo owners – an eclectic mix of retirees and rich-listers – and that she’d “never been in a position like it”.

“It would make your hairs stand on end. Never in all my years have I been on the receiving end of such acidity, such self-entitlement,” she said.

Russell Durnell left Palazzo Versace in 2014, after a five-year stint from 2009, and was followed by Thierry Tollis, who resigned after just seven months.

Subash Basrur lasted less than two years in the role, vacating it in 2016.

Claire Huang left in 2018, citing “personal reasons”.

The hotel formerly known as Palazzo Versace at Seaworld Drive in Main Beach. Photo: Supplied.

The Versace branding agreement was not renewed when it ran out last year, and the owners began the expensive and laborious task of removing the fashion company’s works – including the stripping of thousands of Medusa tiles embedded in the walls and floors of every room.

It was renamed the Imperial Hotel Gold Coast in July 2023, with disappointed punters saying the name was reminiscent of an outback pub.

The leadership flux at the hotel comes after another Gold Coast high-end hotel, The Langham, also underwent an executive reshuffle.

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Originally published as Uncertain future for general manager Richard Clarke at Imperial Hotel, formerly Palazzo Versace