International hotel operator La Vie Hotels & Resorts has secured the management rights for the Lindeman Island Resort which is currently undergoing a first-stage refurbishment of up to $50 million by its new owner Well Smart Group.
The works currently under way are part of a $583 million master plan for the island approved under Queensland’s coordinated projects framework, which includes ecotourism facilities and environmental enhancements such as native vegetation restoration and renewable energy initiatives.
The Whitsundays island resort, which was acquired by the Singapore-based Well Smart in 2023 for about $10 million, has appointed La Vie ahead of the planned relaunch of the property next year.
Well Smart acquired Lindeman Island from Chinese developer White Horse Australia which scooped up the property in 2012, just months after the resort was closed down by Club Med due to a tourism downturn and the fallout from Cyclone Yasi.
La Vie Hotels & Resorts operates eight properties in Australia, including Wandin Estate in the Hunter Valley, Islington Hotel in Hobart and Tolarno Hotel in Melbourne.
The company also manages properties in Thailand, Maldives and Sri Lanka with the portfolio expanding into Myanmar and Cambodia next year.
La Vie plans to secure an international luxury brand for Lindeman Island which is aimed at lifting the property’s global profile and positioning the resort as a flagship destination for eco-luxury travel in the Asia-Pacific region.
“La Vie Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to partner with Well Smart Group on this landmark project,” says La Vie CEO Jerry Xu.
“Lindeman Island is more than a tropical paradise - it is a cornerstone of Queensland’s tourism heritage.
“First developed for visitors in the 1920s, Lindeman became one of the earliest Whitsunday islands to offer accommodation, paving the way for Queensland’s rise as a global holiday destination.
“Lindeman Island holds a special place in Australia’s tourism history and together we will deliver a world-class resort experience that celebrates the Whitsundays’ natural beauty.”
Lindeman was a favourite among holidaymakers in 1980s and 1990s, attracting thousands of visitors and becoming a major contributor to Queensland’s tourism economy.
Well Smart is investing between $40 million and $50 million on the first-stage refurbishment of Lindeman Island, with this phase partly funded by the Queensland Government’s Growing Futures Tourism Program.
Well Smart director Jack Jia says his company’s investment in the property aims to create a “sustainable, luxury destination that redefines island hospitality in Queensland”.
“With La Vie’s expertise in resort management, we are confident Lindeman Island will become a beacon for eco-luxury travel,” says Jia.
The relaunched Lindeman Island Resort will feature a five-star hotel with about 200 accommodation rooms and nine suites, several restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, luxury spa and gym, as well as conference and event spaces.
The project includes a new 50-metre jetty, staff accommodation and eco-friendly infrastructure, such as solar farm.
The redevelopment is expected to generate hundreds of jobs during construction and about 500 ongoing roles once operational, boosting tourism and economic growth in the Mackay and Whitsundays.
Craig Davidson, the CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland, says the state’s tropical islands are a “unique and important tourism asset for the state”.
“Our distinctive, pristine islands have helped shape Queensland’s standing as a global tourism leader and we are excited to see the revitalisation of Lindeman Island which has always been an iconic part of Queensland’s tourism story,” says Davidson.
“This important investment, breathing new life into Lindeman Island, will bolster Queensland’s international reputation as a world-class holiday destination providing an exceptional visitor experience.”
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