FIRST LOOK INSIDE REVAMPED PARADISE RESORT
AUSTRALIA’S largest private hotelier who is reopening a Gold Coast family paradise after a makeover backs the border blocks despite it costing him thousands of NSW guests.
Sydney surgeon Dr Jerry Schwartz, with hotels around Australia, says he will be able to fill his Paradise Resort Gold Coast with Queenslanders “itching” for a holiday and feels his popular family resort will do even better now because Aussies can’t travel overseas. Dr Schwartz shelled out on an $8 million facelift, including new lobby and reception, new restaurants and a kids water park.
He “always supported” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s tough stance on borders in a bid to keep COVID out of Queensland.
“I lose lots of business not having interstate travel but I can well understand the rationale. COVID changes every day. Just like everyone else, I’m sitting back waiting to see what happens. I’m just supporting the health advice.”
Dr Schwartz bought the resort last November for $43m, unveiling major upgrade plans including a large, colourful aquarium.
Dr Schwartz, who also owns Surfers Paradise Hilton Hotel, has added a new games room and included food and beverage outlets Penguins, Jerrys Burgers, Debs Pizza Shack and the Poolside Café and Bar.
He said it had “turned a cygnet into a swan”.
“The facility has been well used but became well worn.
“We still have 360 rooms, with around 300 in use at the moment but what has increased is our food and beverage capacity only for in-house guests.”
It closed in March due to the COVID-19 crisis and staff, from chefs to maids, worked on preparing for reopening, by painting it.
“We’ve profited from COVID-19. It allowed for kitchen and reception areas to get totally gutted. The facility is now ready for when people are able to travel more, and we shouldn’t be too heavily impacted because our resort is for families and doesn’t rely on corporate travel.”