PALAZZO VERSACE
Italian luxe meets laidback Queensland in indulgent style
THE FIRST RULE of haute couture is to leave it on the catwalk. Try telling that to Donatella Versace, whose flair for fashion and full-on glitz is the trademark of her namesake hotel.
Palazzo Versace will remind you of the Roman Empire and Renaissance palaces – all columns and cool marble, granite and mosaics; ornate ceilings, decorative walls, extravagant fittings. Medusa, the corporate logo of the Italian fashion house, marks everything from cutlery to linen.
Warm timber tones and rich fabrics best describe the rooms. Space and view determine price. A King suite with separate dining/lounge, jacuzzi tub and sprawling kingsize bed costs the same as a standard room with a pool view.
Decadence is the byword at Palazzo Versace, from the private marina to the day spa and pool, while attention to detail is meticulous – chocolate truffles on the pillow at night, iced water with lemon slices by the pool, even the curtains closed for you. How lazy can you get? Ask nicely and perhaps the guys at the gym will work out for you.
Hit the Spot
Just off the Gold Coast highway at Sea World.
Bedtime
How about a side-by-side Couples massage or hot-tub soak before bed?
Be Savvy
Find your inner child at the nearby Gold Coast theme parks – Australia’s answer to Disneyland.
Be Smitten
Full-on designer glitz, Gold Coast style.
Waterfront dining
Palazzo Versace is no discreet hidden hideaway, but an address to be shamelessly spoilt. There's a choice of swish places for dining, from the pool bar and boardwalk cafe to a fine dining restaurant. The buffet table here is stacked with seafood and piled with up to 30 wicked desserts.
Work off your excesses by submitting to expert therapeutic hands in the up-to-the-minute spa. Regardless, you’ll feel like the only two people at the hotel – quite something when there are more than 200 rooms.
Palazzo Versace was reviewed for Room for Romance by Carolyne Jasinski
Palazzo Versace will remind you of the Roman Empire and Renaissance palaces – all columns and cool marble, granite and mosaics; ornate ceilings, decorative walls, extravagant fittings. Medusa, the corporate logo of the Italian fashion house, marks everything from cutlery to linen.
Warm timber tones and rich fabrics best describe the rooms. Space and view determine price. A King suite with separate dining/lounge, jacuzzi tub and sprawling kingsize bed costs the same as a standard room with a pool view.
Decadence is the byword at Palazzo Versace, from the private marina to the day spa and pool, while attention to detail is meticulous – chocolate truffles on the pillow at night, iced water with lemon slices by the pool, even the curtains closed for you. How lazy can you get? Ask nicely and perhaps the guys at the gym will work out for you.
Hit the Spot
Just off the Gold Coast highway at Sea World.
Bedtime
How about a side-by-side Couples massage or hot-tub soak before bed?
Be Savvy
Find your inner child at the nearby Gold Coast theme parks – Australia’s answer to Disneyland.
Be Smitten
Full-on designer glitz, Gold Coast style.
Waterfront dining
Palazzo Versace is no discreet hidden hideaway, but an address to be shamelessly spoilt. There's a choice of swish places for dining, from the pool bar and boardwalk cafe to a fine dining restaurant. The buffet table here is stacked with seafood and piled with up to 30 wicked desserts.
Work off your excesses by submitting to expert therapeutic hands in the up-to-the-minute spa. Regardless, you’ll feel like the only two people at the hotel – quite something when there are more than 200 rooms.
Palazzo Versace was reviewed for Room for Romance by Carolyne Jasinski
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Dining in
With three restaurants and a pool bar, you’ll find plenty of spots to enjoy cocktails, afternoon tea and innovative cuisine. Get a whiff of Cuban cigars in the Vie lounge, try Steve Szabo’s classical dishes at the lagoon-side Il Baracco, or go a la carte in the more plush and intimate Vanitas, with its muralled walls.
Dining out
You’ll find traditional wineries and quaint teahouses within a 15-minute drive. Many are inside the National Park along well signposted tracks.
Where?
Vanitas at Palazzo Versace
What’s cooking?
Classical contemporary cuisine, matched by a cellar of rare quality.
Dress the part
This is Versace – be as flamboyantly divine as you like.
Top table?
In your own corner overlooking the gorgeously lit lagoon pool.
See & Do
Surfer’s Paradise and the Gold Coast beaches are on your doorstep, so grab a boogie board. Venture into the the Gold Coast hinterland (known as ‘the green behind the gold’) for a glimpse of the Queensland rainforest, and check out some of the area’s theme parks, game fishing and fantastic sunset cruises.
Shop
Snap up beach wear and some impressive souvenirs at the Marina Mirage shopping village next door.
Spa
Be pampered for hours in the Salus per Aquum Spa (it literally means ‘health through water’) with its signature Kahuna massage. Modelled on traditional European thermal spas, this tranquil retreat has something for everyone.
After dark
Wander along the private marina – stunning at dusk, when glamorous yachts are boarded for an intimate night in – or take a secluded walk along the nearby surf beach. Just be careful not to get caught by others with similar ideas.
Dates
October
Power boats ride the waves in the Lexmark Indy 300 races.
January
Get yourself into one of the Magic Million cocktail parties – though these are strictly invite only!
With three restaurants and a pool bar, you’ll find plenty of spots to enjoy cocktails, afternoon tea and innovative cuisine. Get a whiff of Cuban cigars in the Vie lounge, try Steve Szabo’s classical dishes at the lagoon-side Il Baracco, or go a la carte in the more plush and intimate Vanitas, with its muralled walls.
Dining out
You’ll find traditional wineries and quaint teahouses within a 15-minute drive. Many are inside the National Park along well signposted tracks.
Where?
Vanitas at Palazzo Versace
What’s cooking?
Classical contemporary cuisine, matched by a cellar of rare quality.
Dress the part
This is Versace – be as flamboyantly divine as you like.
Top table?
In your own corner overlooking the gorgeously lit lagoon pool.
See & Do
Surfer’s Paradise and the Gold Coast beaches are on your doorstep, so grab a boogie board. Venture into the the Gold Coast hinterland (known as ‘the green behind the gold’) for a glimpse of the Queensland rainforest, and check out some of the area’s theme parks, game fishing and fantastic sunset cruises.
Shop
Snap up beach wear and some impressive souvenirs at the Marina Mirage shopping village next door.
Spa
Be pampered for hours in the Salus per Aquum Spa (it literally means ‘health through water’) with its signature Kahuna massage. Modelled on traditional European thermal spas, this tranquil retreat has something for everyone.
After dark
Wander along the private marina – stunning at dusk, when glamorous yachts are boarded for an intimate night in – or take a secluded walk along the nearby surf beach. Just be careful not to get caught by others with similar ideas.
Dates
October
Power boats ride the waves in the Lexmark Indy 300 races.
January
Get yourself into one of the Magic Million cocktail parties – though these are strictly invite only!
GETTING THERE
Location
Sea World Drive, Main Beach QLD 4217
Parking
There's free guest parking, plus docking at Marina Mirage for your yacht
Taxis
AUD 60 from Coolangatta
Airport
Brisbane International – 75 minutes
Coolangatta – 35 minutes
Rooms and suites
146 rooms and 59 suites
Special features
Everything you touch is Versace: richly patterned bolsters, private dual jacuzzis, and extravagant decor in jewel colours.
Also…
The Versace boutique is stocked with monogrammed accessories, fragrances and fashions – so you won’t leave empty handed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
AUD 550 - 4,000
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Yes – 24/7
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes -- rooms
Languages
Italian, Croatian, Czech, Japanese, German, French, Arabic, Thai, Greek, Chinese and many, many more.
Wedding license?
Yes. Wedding parties for up to 250 can be arranged.
Location
Sea World Drive, Main Beach QLD 4217
Parking
There's free guest parking, plus docking at Marina Mirage for your yacht
Taxis
AUD 60 from Coolangatta
Airport
Brisbane International – 75 minutes
Coolangatta – 35 minutes
Rooms and suites
146 rooms and 59 suites
Special features
Everything you touch is Versace: richly patterned bolsters, private dual jacuzzis, and extravagant decor in jewel colours.
Also…
The Versace boutique is stocked with monogrammed accessories, fragrances and fashions – so you won’t leave empty handed.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
AUD 550 - 4,000
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10.30am
Room service
Yes – 24/7
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes -- rooms
Languages
Italian, Croatian, Czech, Japanese, German, French, Arabic, Thai, Greek, Chinese and many, many more.
Wedding license?
Yes. Wedding parties for up to 250 can be arranged.