Be warned minimalists: if restrained, uncluttered, paired-back aesthetics are what you seek in a getaway destination, the rococo-on-steroids, aggressively opulent surrounds of the Imperial Hotel will not be for you. However, if 24-carat luxury and celebrity chic of the gaudiest variety is more your thing, you’ll find it in spades at this gilded resort brought to you by a legendary fashion house.
The Imperial (previously The Palazzo Versace) definitely falls into the category of ‘bucket list’ stays, and not just because of the bragging rights that come with staying at such a renowned five-star establishment. Beyond the glitz and sparkle of the interiors, the attentive level of service reaches heights few other hotels on the Gold Coast can match. And the Imperial doesn’t just look good. The hotel's three hospitality venues – the seafood buffet Il Barocco; poolside eatery Water Salon; and Le Jardin, where the hotel’s signature high tea is served every bit as luxe as the décor.
For the average mortal, the sheer excess of the Imperial could be overwhelming, so it’s best to lean into the alternate reality this hotel conjures. Why not pretend you’re a trust fund baby with billions in the bank as you recline by the oh-so ‘grammable pool, or perhaps a business mogul with money to burn as you enjoy a relaxing beauty treatment at The Beayty Room? Sadly, you may not be able to take much of this grandeur home with you – guests inclined to pilfer even so much as a pillowcase will be charged a minimum $300 penalty. But while you’re a guest, you can savour the wonders of such high-end living like you were born to it.
