LXR Hotels & Resorts To Debut In Australia With Gold Coast Signing
The former Palazzo Versace Gold Coast will reopen under Hilton’s LXR brand after a refurbishment, marking the brand’s first entry into Australia.
Photos: Courtesy of Hilton
Hilton will introduce the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand to Australia for the first time with a property on the Gold Coast’s Southport Spit, scheduled to open in early 2027 following a renovation of the current Imperial Hotel.
The hotel, previously known as Palazzo Versace Gold Coast and now operating as The Imperial Hotel, will relaunch under the LXR banner after a comprehensive refurbishment. Once complete, the property will offer 200 rooms overlooking the Gold Coast Broadwater, with direct waterfront access and proximity to nearby attractions, including Marina Mirage.
The project is being developed in partnership with Islander Hotel Trading Pty Ltd, the owner of the property. The site sits in a prominent position on Southport Spit, a narrow strip of land that separates the Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean and serves as one of the Gold Coast’s main resort corridors.
“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,” said Tushar Raniga, director of development for Australasia at Hilton.
Originally opened in 2000 as Palazzo Versace, the hotel became one of Australia’s most recognizable luxury resorts, known for its grand neoclassical architecture and Italian-inspired interiors. Hilton says the upcoming renovation will preserve those design elements while repositioning the property within the LXR portfolio.
LXR Hotels & Resorts is Hilton’s collection of independent luxury properties, with each hotel designed to reflect the character of its location rather than follow a standardized brand template. The portfolio currently includes 36 properties operating or in development worldwide.
Recent additions include Cameo Beverly Hills in California and Sax Paris in France, while several projects are in development across Asia-Pacific destinations, including Niseko in Japan, Phuket in Thailand, and Da Nang in Vietnam.
“The arrival of LXR Hotels & Resorts in the Gold Coast marks an important step in the evolution of the luxury hotel offering in Australia,” said Candice D’Cruz, vice president of luxury brands for Hilton Asia Pacific. “Guests will discover a luxury experience that feels both elevated and unmistakably local, while embracing the sense of exploration that defines every LXR stay.”
Ownership partner Islander Hotel Trading says the refurbishment will aim to modernize the property while retaining its original architectural identity.
“As the proud owner of the former Palazzo Versace Gold Coast, we are honored to partner with Hilton to introduce the first luxury brand, LXR Hotels & Resorts to Australia,” said Li Xu, director of Islander Hotel Trading Pty Ltd. “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.”
Once open, the hotel will join Hilton’s existing lifestyle and collection brands in Australia, including Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The LXR property is expected to welcome guests on the Gold Coast beginning in early 2027.
