Palazzo Versace set to reopen

ONE of the Gold Coast’s swankiest hotels is ready to reopen, four months after the pandemic forced its closure and staff stand-downs.

Palazzo Versace welcomes guests back from Saturday after it shut in early April. About 250 staff were stood down at the time.

Only maintenance crew were kept on with leaked memos saying no annual leave could be approved and standdowns would be unpaid until JobKeeper kicked in in May.

While closed, a major renovation was undertaken after the northern and southern wings of the hotel were damaged by severe storms earlier this year.

Palazzo Versace Gold Coast’s resident manager Jane Kingston said: “We are awaiting arrival of new designer carpets but they have been delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19 on international travel and freight. Guests will still be able to step inside the grand lobby and notice signature Versace mosaic, tiles, furniture, fixtures and fittings, have been deep cleaned, buffed, polished or painted.”

In April, a hotel statement said: “We wish to address allegations such as the owner is spending money on major renovations ahead of employees’ entitlements, the hotel is for sale and is involved in an ongoing dispute with condominium owners.

“These allegations are untrue, deliberately hurtful and opportunistic.”

Ms Kingston said: “Every one of our staff is celebrating our reopening and we want to fill every area of the hotel with inspirational excellence, positivity and happiness.”