Marriott International’s St Regis brand signs up for Gurner’s La Pelago project in Surfers Paradise

A luxury 5-star US hotel brand will make its Australian debut at Tim Gurner’s $1.76bn La Pelago project on the Gold Coast.

ONE of the world’s leading ultra-luxury hotel brands will make its Australian debut in the heart of the Gold Coast.

Marriott International’s 5-star St Regis Hotel was secured by Melbourne-based developer Gurner for the first 65-level tower of its $1.76bn La Pelago project in Ferny Ave in Surfers Paradise.

Gurner Group chief executive Tim Gurner said the St Regis Gold Coast Resort will be “unlike anything on offer in Australia’s hotel market”.

“We knew we had to have a hotel brand at La Pelago that would transform the Gold Coast and elevate it – and Australia’s 5-star hotel offering – to another level,” he said.

“For me it was only ever St Regis. La Pelago is something that will never be re-created again in Australia and St Regis has always been my favourite hotel brand, so I just had to have them to complete the circle of ultra-luxury at the project.”

The resort in the Budds Beach precinct will have 185 luxurious guest rooms as well as bar and restaurant, and will be 50 per cent taller than any other surrounding tower, providing unencumbered views across the skyline.

The lowest hotel room still sits above any surrounding towers, enabling uninterrupted views of the beach, river and mountain ranges, going all the way up to level 43.

An artist's impression of Australia’s very first St Regis hotel at the $1.76bn La Pelago project in Surfers Paradise being developed through a joint venture between Melbourne developer Gurner and investment house Wingate.

Above the hotel there will be about 100 residences within the Crystal Club, that will have their own private entrance and exclusive access to hotel-style services and amenity.

The resort will include a speciality restaurant, world-class sky bar, pool bar, luxurious

lounge, as well as the signature St Regis Bar. Guests will also be able to enjoy the brand’s signature Butler Service, celebrated rituals and timeless heritage through sophisticated.

The La Pelago precinct, which Gurner is developing with investment partners Wingate property, will have hospitality, wellness, a business centre, ballroom and event spaces, alongside over 10,000m of amenity.

“To have the hotel at such an elevated level in the sky with uninterrupted views gives St Regis a huge point of difference in the market,” Mr Gurner said.

“It will offer a level of bespoke luxury that is not available on the Gold Coast now nor planned into the future.”

Work on the tower will start on May next year and should be completed by the end of 2026.

An artist's impression of Australia’s very first St Regis hotel in Australia at the $1.7bn La Pelago project in Surfers Paradise being developed through a joint venture between Melbourne developer Gurner and investment house Wingate.

The St Regis brand has defined luxury hotels since the opening of the first hotel opened in New York in 1904. There is currently 60 St. Regis hotels and resorts around the world.

Marriott has been seeking locations for its St Regis brand and planned hotel in Spencer st at Melbourne failed to get off the ground.

Vice president Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific for Marriott International Richard Crawford said the dal to secure the St Regis brand in Australia was “momentous” and important for the Gold Coast.

“The St Regis name promises a vanguard spirit steeped in history and tradition, and is synonymous with global luxury. We greatly value Gurner’s confidence in selecting the St. Regis as the centrepiece of their world-class mixed-use development,” he said.

“The St Regis Hotel brand redefined luxury when it first opened its doors in New York over 100 years ago and as such we are incredibly selective when choosing the right locations and developments to launch new St Regis Hotel sites, that are befitting of the strict requirements and expectations of the brand.”