The Best Hotel I have ever stayed, Palazzo Versace

Normally I’m a custom to sleeping in 12 bunk dorm rooms, or crashing on a mate’s floor. Value is my number one priority when it comes to accommodation, the more you save the more you can travel. I’m never bothered where I end up sleeping as long as It’s cheap and there is a roof over my head.

When I was offered to stay at Palazzo Versace, a 5 star luxury hotel, I was quick to change my ways. I’ve never stayed in such a fancy place, I’ve always wondered the on goings in such hotels.

I managed to blag a free night after winning a competition and I thought it would be great fun to see the reaction of a backpacker staying in such a fancy place, I decided to investigate and share my findings.

Checking into Palazzo Versace.

(they offer an limo airport pick up service)

Arriving by Limo, I feel like the front desk was expecting a little more Glam compared to a scruffy backpacker. Arriving direct from the airport after a 24 hour flight I looked like a train wreck! As I lugged my backpacks onto the gold covered bag cart, I really couldn’t give two hoots and wanted to check in as soon as possible. When you stay at such a resort you really don’t want to just sleep in the room, you wanted to take in the whole experience bit by bit. The hotel becomes the main attraction and the evening’s entertainment.

Breakfast

(Amazing coffee at Breakfast, they even had a coffee menu, very fancy!)

The staff were all very friendly and inviting and as it was 10:00am the room wasn’t ready, but they still offered breakfast that morning, Boy was this some breakfast.

The Breakfast buffet was one to die for, I’m a massive fan of breakfast and everything I could imagine was on offer to eat at your heart’s content. French toast, Egg Benedict on request, fresh salmon and most importantly Barista prepared espresso. Along with a complimentary newspaper I was in heaven, what a great way to start the day.

Swimming pool

(What a poolside to enjoy)

I’ve never seen such a lavishing pool in my life, It was huge, but it was the winter and a little on the cold side. But I had to go in for a dip, would have been a crime to have not given it ago. I was only staying for 1 Nights so had to do a week stay all at once.

The Towel situation

(The towel cost alone was what I would normally pay for a high end hotel!)

Why am I mentioning the towels? I was told in an email before arriving that I should leave the towel in the hotel room and not take it home with me, I thought they mentioned this because backpackers are known to make towels go missing but I thought surely it was an inside joke. When I arrived at the hotel I was reminded again at the check in desk and quickly discovered why.

A polite notice on the towel stated that we are welcome to take home the towels at a cost of A$185 each, Wasn’t funny any more. In all fairness, they were great towels, but I was quick to return them to the room after a dip in the pool. I’ve stayed in hostels for a month for less than the hotel towel! What a slap on the creditcard if you didn’t read the sign in advance.

Mattress Turning?

Around 19:00pm after I was ready to go out for a night around the Gold Coast, I had a knock at the door. To my Surprise it was room cleaning asking if I would like my Mattress turned over? Never in my life have I ever flipped my own mattress, maybe a pillow or two but I’ve never been offered the privilege. Apparently this is the norm in 5 star resorts, but I politely declined and gained some chocolate in the process! How the other half live hey!

Hot tub in the room

I have to admit I’m a shower person, but having a hot tub in the room, I couldn’t resist After a long flight, it was just what I needed, living the life!

Toilet by the phone!

This was the funniest encounter of the stay, Low and behold a phone by the toilet. I was puzzled to why and thought it would be funny to call room service for toilet paper. Is that what it’s for?

The hotel itself

Truly was a night stay to remember and it was a real privilege. But Now back to staying at hostels and sleeping on couches, one nights stay has been just perfect.

It was great fun to live the highlife for one night but I’m not sure I would do this again, its the backpackers life for me, but it was a fun experiance to try it out.