No dining experience on the Gold Coast would be complete without a visit to Palazzo Versace, recently crowned Australasia’s Leading Hotel 2015 in the World Travel Awards!
Opened in 2000 as the first Versace hotel in the world, the hotel was a coup for developer Sunland who, after a lengthy period of negotiation, signed a landmark agreement with the famed House of Versace.
We are delighted to be treated to The Rolls Royce Phantom experience. Picked up from home by a Rolls Royce, we are driven to Palazzo Versace, stepping out onto the porte cochère, paved with the second largest hand laid mosaic in the world. The two new bespoke Rolls Royce Phantoms, a new addition to the hotel’s fleet in time for their 15th anniversary, are used to transport clients within a radius of Noosa to Byron to theme parks, the airport, or as part of a ‘proposal’ package.
Palazzo Versace was designed as both a reflection of the architecture of the Riviera as well as a tribute to Gianni Versace’s life. The hotel embodies sophistication and luxury, the only ‘six star’ hotel in Australia at the time it was built. One cannot help but notice the attention to detail with all the interiors, from furnishings to cutlery and cushions, designed by Versace. The famous Medusa symbol, together with Versace-designed fabric, features prominently. A magnificent chandelier that formerly belonged to Gianni Versace takes pride of place in the hotel’s marbled lobby. Sublime!
Newly refurbished, the hotel foyer shines with vibrant colours and lush floral displays. With an influx of several new chefs, the menus too are enjoying a spring clean. There’s renewed emphasis on local organic produce, and fresh influences which make our dining experience special. Outdoors, the sun sparkles across the pool to the Broadwater beyond, sunbakers enjoying the return of the sun. It’s time to celebrate!
We are to enjoy the launch of the new Couture High Tea in Le Jardin restaurant which, despite its luxurious setting, is surprisingly welcoming and relaxed. Served on a 3-tiered stand, the new menu is the handiwork of Executive Pastry Chef Alex Liddle (ex-Hayman Island, Merivale, Becasse and The Ritz, London) who recently joined the hotel.
High Tea presents a feast of finely crafted delightful morsels including Open house-cured salmon sandwiches, Asparagus and gorgonzola tartlets, Saffron scones with Valrhona dolce crema and apricot jam, and handmade Macarons with hand-piped banana ganache. Every bite brings surprise and delight – the pungency of fresh passionfruit, lemon and pepper cure on the salmon, the decadent touch of imported gorgonzola in the tart, the subtlety of thyme in the gorgeous polenta cake…all small touches that define a superior dining experience.
Topped off with a glass of ‘R’ champagne from Ruinart, the oldest champagne house in the world, Couture High Tea at Palazzo Versace is an exquisite indulgence not to be missed!
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Further details of the Palazzo Versace Couture High Tea, including prices, can be found Palazzo Versace High Tea information page.
DISCLAIMER: Good Food Gold Coast were delighted to be guests of Palazzo Versace.
