The Gold Coast Airport Hotel Pty Ltd, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trepang Services Pty Ltd, jointly owned by Paspaley chairman Nicholas Paspaley and John "Foxy" Robinson.

The the BRW Rich Families 2015 list places the Paspaleys as worth almost $900 million with interests in pearling, retailing, property investment (including 2 Martin Place in Sydney and 80-82 Wall Street, New York), agriculture and aviation.

Meanwhile, Mr Robinson, who built Darwin's Wickham Point detention centre, among other projects, received an Order of Australia in last year's Queen's Birthday honours.

The 192-room, four-star Rydges Gold Coast Airport hotel will operate under the ASX-listed Event Hospitality & Entertainment's Rydges Hotels and Resorts brand. Construction is due to begin in the third quarter of 2018 close to the airport's major terminal expansion project, and is due for completion in 2019.

Features of the new hotel include a rooftop bar and viewing deck with views of the airport runway, Kirra Beach and the Gold Coast hinterland. There will also be a restaurant, resort-style swimming pool, function, conference and meeting facilities.

Mr Robinson, the hotel's managing director, said he was excited about the development and "completely comfortable investing $50 million in this project. I have extensive experience in the development and operation of hotels and have been in the industry for the best part of 40 years," he said.

Rydges is currently developing the Wellington Airport and Atura Adelaide Airport, and the Gold Coast addition will strengthen the airport hotel portfolio, according to Event Director of Hotels and Resorts Norman Arundel.

The deal was brokered on behalf of Gold Coast Airport by Peter Harper from JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

Federal Tourism Minister and Gold Coast MP Steven Ciobo said "The Gold Coast had almost 5 million domestic and international overnight visitors, injecting over $4.3 billion into our local economy last year, so this new investment is great news for the Gold Coast," he said.

Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said "The location lends itself to a high-quality hotel development – we're a stone's throw from some of Australia's best beaches and in the heart of the southern Gold Coast, which is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination."

If you would like more information about the hotel development, phone or email Peter Harper from JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group via the contact details below.

See also:

Get to Know Peter Harper of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group

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The Star Gold Coast Hotel and Casino offers apartments for sale

$23.75 million auction sale of beachfront Gold Coast resort