$5800 a night and it’s booked solid
AT up to $5800 a night, the Chairman’s Ocean Suite at The Langham Gold Coast is an unjustifiable luxury for most.
But that hasn’t stopped it being booked out almost every weekend since the hotel amid the Jewel triple towers launched in June.
Langham Gold Coast general manager John O’Shea said the hotel had enjoyed 80 per cent weekend occupancy, but its high-end suites were booking out at a higher rate.
“Weekends are busier than the weekdays, but we’ve hit 85 per cent on a Saturday night in the hotel and that’s becoming a regular Saturday occupancy,” he said.
“Forward bookings are looking great, in fact our next busy season will be our school holidays in September for Victoria and NSW and we should have our residences open at that time as well.
“We’re amazed because our suite occupancy is higher than our main hotel occupancy and, almost every weekend, someone buys our Chairman’s Suite for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
“I’m absolutely amazed by that because, in my career, that doesn’t happen that frequently.”
Destination Gold Coast head of stakeholders and strategy Rachel Hancock said an increasing number of holiday-makers were seeking luxury travel.
“Venues and experiences like this are important to appeal to this new era of domestic and international visitors,” she said.
“The Gold Coast offers a decadent array of luxury accommodation, fine dining and five-star experiences,” she said ticking off rooftop pool clubs Isoletto at Star Gold Coast and Cali Beach Club in Surfers Paradise plus lavish hotels including The Langham, The Darling and JW Marriott.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all offering. But what I believe the Gold Coast really excels at is entrepreneurial spirit where tourism operators just get in and have a go – and the results are amazing.”
Mr O’Shea said his hotel was filling a gap in the market.
“There’s a genuine luxury traveller that may have been looking for something like The Langham for a while and, now we’re here, are able to spoil themselves in such a beautiful room,” he said.
Another hotel newcomer, Dorsett Gold Coast, has also enjoyed heavy bookings.
Sales and marketing director Ash Britnall said: “Since we opened our doors on Boxing Day last year, we’ve been non-stop.
“We’re seeing a trend in short lead stays, which sees the Dorsett Gold Coast consistently operating at high occupancies, particularly on weekends and in the busy school holiday periods.”
The Langham launched its hotel component in June, but will mark its full launch, incorporating its serviced Jewel Residences, full complement of restaurants, bars and health spa with a grand opening on October 21.
Another new luxury hotel, boutique Burleigh Heads project Mondrian, opens mid next year.
The Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jess Mellor said its hotels had hit 90 per cent occupancy, with April and May the “two biggest months we’ve ever had”.
“Since reopening our hotels post-Covid shutdowns, we have seen huge, ongoing demand for every level of accommodation in our hotels including our luxury suites
“The return of events and conferencing after Covid restrictions eased has contributed to that demand with 38 events held at The Star in March alone.”