Commanding a prime position on the Gold Coast’s Southport Spit, the hotel will welcome guests from early 2027
Hilton today announced the signing of an iconic Gold Coast hotel with Islander Hotel Trading Pty Ltd. The property will introduce LXR Hotels & Resorts to Australia in early 2027 after a renovation. The new hotel marks a significant milestone in Hilton’s expansion in Australia, bringing LXR Hotels & Resorts bespoke personal service and timeless pursuit of adventure to the South-East Queensland coast.
“The Gold Coast provides an ideal setting for LXR’s distinctive approach to luxury, where place, design and experience are deeply connected. The property holds one of the most alluring positions along the city’s main coastal corridors and will introduce the independent spirit of LXR to the Australian market. We are proud to work with our partners to bring this exceptional destination to life and to continue expanding Hilton’s presence in one of the region’s most dynamic resort markets,” said Tushar Raniga, director, Development, Australasia, Hilton.
Launching under the LXR brand in 2027, the hotel formally known as Palazzo Versace and currently operating as The Imperial Hotel, will feature 200 rooms with a striking blend of grand neoclassical architecture and Italian-inspired interiors, offering guests direct access to the Gold Coast Broadwater and proximity to key attractions including Marina Mirage.
As the brand’s first Australian property, this hotel will be a natural addition to the hand-picked collection that makes up LXR Hotels & Resorts. Each LXR property celebrates the unique heritage and essence of its locale to deliver truly one-of-a-kind experiences. Guests will discover bespoke service, captivating design, and immersive cultural experiences set within Australia’s premier leisure destination.
Globally, LXR Hotels & Resorts has 36 properties either operating or in the pipeline. The brand recently celebrated the openings of Cameo Beverly Hills and first entry into France with the opening of Sax Paris, and will open another highly anticipated property with Sandblu Santorini in Greece alongside The Den in India later this year. In the next three years, the brand will continue to expand across Asia Pacific in sought-after destinations such as Niseko, Phuket and Da Nang, building on the success of ROKU KYOTO –the brand’s first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel—and Umana Bali.
“As the proud owner of the former Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, we are honoured to partner with Hilton to introduce the first luxury brand, LXR Hotels & Resorts to Australia. This transformation represents a new chapter for the property — one that respectfully preserves the hotel’s iconic design heritage while elevating it through a comprehensive refurbishment. Together, we are committed to delivering a reimagined luxury experience that blends timeless elegance with a heightened sense of place, service and sophistication, setting a new benchmark for the Gold Coast” said Li Xu, director, Islander Hotel Trading Pty Ltd.
