Palazzo Versace
The Palazzo Versace (meaning Versace Palace) is a luxury hotel owned by Australian company Sunland Group Ltd, and is the world's first Versace hotel. It is situated on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The hotel is the most expensive in Australia. The most expensive room - 'The Imperial Suite' is available for $AUD4500 Per Night.
The five-story hotel opened its doors in 2000 and incorporates 205 classically elegant rooms, 72 neighbouring condominiums, 3 award winning restaurants and a private marina, all on a historic site at the edge of the Gold Coast Broadwater.
All cutlery and china in the hotel is Versace. Framed photographic work from Gianni and Donetella's collection line the hotel's corridors. The rooms are furnished with a special range designed exclusively for the hotel by the House of Versace in Milan. The bathroom sinks are each made from one piece of marble, and the hotel has 28 pools.
Five Italian mosaic tilers created the driveway in six weeks. Each tiler was from a different region of Italy, and collected the stones from their own local area. The average age of the tilers was 75 years.
The chandelier which hangs in the lobby, once hung in the State Library in Milan. It was purchased by Gianni Versace for himself and kept in storage pending its installation in his own home in Miami. Tragically, he died before he was able, and Donatella Versace, who inherited it, decided it should hang in the hotel. It weighs 750kg.
Dining
• Il Barocco - Serves contemporary cuisine, in a setting of elegant informality. Famous for its buffet breakfast.
• Vanitas - The select premier restaurant of the hotel, where a 10,000+ bottle cellar of rare quality compliments innovative cuisine.
• Vie - Stylish bar and restaurant which overlooks the marina. Vie also features a selection of cigars in its Cuban Cigar Room.
• Le Jardin - Chic, cosmopolitan meeting place. Coffee, cocktails and traditional high-tea.
In the media
The hotel became a focal point of world media attention on 4 January 2006, when long serving ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum died of a heart attack whilst staying at the hotel.
Source: