Parent company Hilton has partnered with Islander Hotel Trading to bring the brand to the country through the repositioning of a landmark hotel on the Southport Spit in South-East Queensland. The property, formerly known as Palazzo Versace Gold Coast and currently operating as Imperial Hotel Gold Coast, will undergo a renovation before relaunching under the LXR banner and opening in early 2027.
Once complete, the 200-room hotel will combine grand neoclassical architecture with Italian-inspired interiors and a waterfront location overlooking the Gold Coast Broadwater. For Hilton, the signing marks another step in expanding its luxury presence in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
“The Gold Coast provides an ideal setting for LXR’s distinctive approach to luxury, where place, design and experience are deeply connected,” said Tushar Raniga, director of development for Australasia at Hilton. “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.”
Candice D’Cruz, vice president of luxury brands for Asia Pacific at Hilton added that the new hotel will cater to a growing cohort of travelers seeking both high-end amenities and experiences rooted in local culture.
“The arrival of LXR Hotels & Resorts on the Gold Coast marks an important step in the evolution of luxury hospitality in Australia,” D’Cruz said. “Guests today want exceptional quality, but also experiences that feel authentic, personal and deeply connected to place.”
The property’s owner also sees the repositioning as the start of a new chapter for one of the Gold Coast’s best-known hotels.
The Gold Coast signing will join Hilton’s broader collection portfolio in Australia alongside brands including Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton, further expanding the company’s luxury and lifestyle offering in the country.
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