Justin Hemmes and his girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel seemed in good spirits as they returned to Sydney on Sunday after a family weekend.
The Merivale billionaire, 52, and his girlfriend, 27, looked as in love as ever as they left the private jet terminal after their luxury holiday.
The doting pair were seen with Justin’s daughters Alexa, six, and Saachi, five, who he shares with his former model Kate Fowler.
For the outing, Justin cut a relaxed figure in a light blue T-shirt as he sweetly cradled his daughter in his arms, proving to be every inch a doting father.
Meanwhile, Madeline kept it casual in an oversized white T-shirt and shorts, while carrying her essentials in a small brown bag.
Madeline, the younger sister of Australian model Simone Holtznagel, showed off her natural beauty without putting on makeup for her travels and showed a big smile.
It’s unknown where the family traveled for their intimate weekend, but they traveled in style on Justin’s private jet.
Justin and Madeline quietly began seeing each other in 2019, a year after he debuted on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951 million, which has since risen to $1.39 billion.
Justin Hemmes and his girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel seemed in good spirits as they returned to Sydney on Sunday after a family weekend.
Madeline kept it casual in an oversized white T-shirt and shorts, while carrying her essentials in a small brown bag. She showed off her natural beauty while removing her makeup.
His latest trip comes after Justin broke his silence after explosive allegations emerged about The Ivy in Sydney, which is part of his hotel empire.
The exclusive nightclub, frequented by high rollers, faces allegations of sexual assault, harassment and grooming, plus copious drug use thanks to CCTV “blind spots”.
Amid the reports, Justin emailed 5,000 of his employees to say he was “devastated” by the allegations, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald.
In the email to staff, he promised to take the “allegations against Merivale relating to our staff and culture” seriously.
“Please be assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and do not condone, encourage or condone any of the behavior that has been alleged,” he said.
“We will continue to work to address all allegations made in today’s article.”
He continued: “The most important thing I have is my concern for all of you, and especially for the distress caused by the slander that has been leveled at those who work and have worked in the past, at Merivale and within the hospitality industry generally.
For the outing, Justin cut a relaxed figure in a light blue T-shirt as he sweetly cradled his daughter in his arms, proving to be every inch a doting father.
“It saddens me greatly that today’s article so broadly denigrates everything we do.”
Level 6, located in Sydney’s CBD as part of the group of Ivy-branded venues owned by the Merivale group, was “one step away from becoming a brothel”, an anonymous manager told Nine newspapers.
Staff at the upscale venue, where membership costs $10,000 a year, detailed allegations of sexual assault and being pressured to please the mostly wealthy male clientele.
In exchange, the glamorous young women, mostly between 18 and 21, employed as “hostesses” would supposedly take home Gucci handbags and up to $600 in tips for a couple of nights of work.
An anonymous member of staff told Nine News that workers were “expressly told” they could not turn away a guest who wanted to buy them a drink.
Another said that when senior Merivale staff were on site drunk or high, staff were “pressured” to drink with them, and it was “very difficult” to say no.
In a separate incident, a senior member of staff allegedly forced himself on a hostess with such force that she was left breathless.
Justin and Madeline (pictured in December 2022) quietly began seeing each other in 2019, a year after their debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951 million.
It was also claimed that a VIP guest pushed a member of staff into the bathroom to do cocaine and ripped open her shirt.
When she raised the incident with management, she was allegedly told, “Don’t beat yourself up about it.” It happened, now move on.’
James Henderson, who was a barman at Ivy and another Merivale business, Bar Totti’s, but resigned in August, said what allegedly happened at the venues was “disgusting”.
Merivale told Nine newspapers he took the allegations very seriously but was unaware of them.
It added that it has appointed prominent South Carolina human rights and discrimination attorney Kate Eastman to lead an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the company.
“If any of these allegations are even remotely true, we sincerely regret any distress caused,” Merivale said.
It comes after Justin broke his silence after explosive allegations emerged about The Ivy (pictured) in Sydney, which is part of his hotel empire.
However, the company rejected claims that it had fostered a culture that exploited women and endangered its staff.
‘In all hospitality businesses, including Merivale, incidents occur affecting both customers and staff. “There is no denying this,” a spokesperson said.
“However, Merivale handles complaints made about such incidents in accordance with its policies and procedures, as well as its legal obligations.”
Merivale operates more than 70 hotel properties in New South Wales and Victoria.