Palazzo Versace Gold Coast to reopen with revamp after being shut for four months

It was forced to close after the COVID-19 pandemic and now one of Gold Coast’s most luxurious hotels is back on its feet. SEE THE AMAZING PHOTOS

ONE of the Gold Coast’s swankiest hotels is ready to reopen four months after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its closure and staff stand-downs.

Palazzo Versace welcomes guests back from Saturday after it shut in early April.

Roughly 250 staff were stood down, and only maintenance employees were kept on with leaked memos to staff saying no annual leave could be approved and stand downs would be unpaid until JobKeeper kicked in.

Palazzo Versace Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

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While closed, a major renovation was undertaken after northern and southern wings of the hotel were damaged by severe storms earlier this year.

Palazzo Versace Gold Coast’s Resident Manager Jane Kingston: “We are awaiting arrival of new designer carpets but they have been delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19 on international travel and freight. Guests will still be able to step inside the grand lobby and notice signature Versace mosaic, tiles, furniture, fixtures and fittings, have been deep cleaned, buffed, polished or painted.”

All staff were celebrating its reopening, she said.

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Inside Palazzo Versace. Photo: Adam Head

In April, a hotel statement to media said: “We wish to address allegations such as the owner is spending money on major renovations ahead of our employees’ entitlements, the hotel is for sale and the hotel is involved in an ongoing dispute with condominium owners. These allegations are untrue, deliberately hurtful and opportunistic.”

Ms Kingston said on Monday: “Every one of our staff is celebrating our reopening and we want to fill every area of the hotel with inspirational excellence, positivity and happiness.”

There has also been a change to the hotel’s restaurants, with Italian restaurant, Il Barocco, offering a new menu to replace the previous buffet-style dining.

The hotel boasts 200 luxury suites, three restaurants and bars, conference and events facilities, a European-style spa and 90-berth marina.