Sunshine Coast Hotels

Generations of fun in the sun

I am not necessarily talking of historic piles or grand monuments but of buildings or complexes that represent the very best of their era.

Hyatt Regency Coolum opened amid considerable fanfare in 1988 -- I know this as I was there, in shoulder pads and high hair -- and its arrival caused much excitement in the tourism and hospitality industry. Here we had a 150ha estate, meandering in a wavy arc with integrated accommodation and leisure facilities, championship golf course, seven tennis courts, myriad pools, villas and cycling trails. And all in a resoundingly Australian setting, with woodlands full of ringtail possums, squirrel gliders and rainbow lorikeets at its back, and beach beyond.

There were (and still are) satellite lounges with names such as Palm and Bauhinia and Coolibah servicing accommodation clusters with breakfasts and information facilities. It felt very organic, before we had started to diminish that word through wholesale overuse.

It hardly sounds all that exciting now but that was the age of excess, of Christopher Skase and gold-plated taps, of stretch limousines and wine coolers. No one thought much about the environment, about recycling towels or saving water. Carbon emissions? Something to do with triplicate forms, perhaps.

Twenty-three years on, after thorough refurbishments and light makeovers, and decades of good maintenance and management, Hyatt Regency Coolum still delivers the goods.

Queensland mining billionaire Clive Palmer bought the property from the Lend Lease Corporation this month, which could herald more investment in infrastructure. It was originally built by Japanese developer giant Daikyo at the height of the Queensland tourism boom; Hyatt has always had the management contract and when casual as well as permanent staff are counted, it's the Sunshine Coast's biggest employer.

Hyatt Regency Coolum is as family-friendly as ever, with an emphasis on walking and cycling, breathing the fine air of this blessed Queensland region, and getting sporty on the golf course or being princess-pampered in The Spa, the largest in Australia at a lavish 750sq m and open for encouragingly long hours (6.30am to 7pm).

In the 1980s, that word spa meant a hot tub, with chaps sporting moustaches and medallions and ladies togged up in gold bikinis. Now we all recognise that spas are temples to health and beauty, salons of absolute pampering, and The Spa may be plainly named but that's where the no-frills approach ends. It's all about frills and fab treatments, from massages with buckwheat and blossoms to a Diamond Facial with ice-lift mask that features frozen marine DNA, grape-seed extract and lavender essential oil. This extraordinary affair features products from the Natura Bisse -- as used, don't you know, "by Beyonce and the Spanish royals".

Top Article Directory » Get Cheap Sunshine Coast Accommodation Guide

The Sunshine Coast offers people over a hundred of Coolum budget accommodation choices. It can be really hard finding the right one for you. By conducting a survey from the holiday makers and guests, we have come up to the Top 5 Places to Stay while on Sunshine Coast.

SurfAir Marcoola Beach Resort

The SurfAir Marcoola Beach Resort is perfect if you love the Marcoola beach since it faces directly to that beach. This resort was already in existence in the 1970′s accommodating people. Later in 2004, it was remodeled to bring a modern and a new look. The resort prides its 1, 2 and 3 bedroom fully self contained apartments and a wide selection of hotel rooms.At the heart of the resort is 60 meter lagoon style swimming pool and kiddies pool which features a Poolside Steakhouse Restaurant wherein you can opt to take your daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time availing the pool services.

Estimated rates are around $120 AUD per night.

Break Free Grand Pacific Resort Caloundra

The Break Free Grand Pacific Resort is established on the waterfront center of Caloundra. And 50 meters away from this Resort is the Bulcock Beach.This Resort highlights one, two and three bedroom fully self-contained apartments. Then these apartments offer the lush garden views or water views of the Pumicestone Passage facing the resort. The 2 spas, a gymnasium and sauna and a games room and a children’s pool for the the kids are the other facilities that would make the accommodation in the resort far better.

Estimated rates are around $123 AUD per night.

Endless Summer Resort Coolum Beach

In the middle of the Sunshine Coast and within 100m of Coolum’s fantastic patrolled surf beach is the Endless Summer Resort Coolum Beach. This resort is remarkable for its luxury 4 star 1, 2 and 3 bedroom spacious self-contained apartments. All Coolum accommodations are furnished with balconies, spa baths and air conditioning. Making your stay even more beautiful are the their other facilities like the 25m Lagoon heated pool with cave, the cascading waterfall and children’s water slide, the outdoor spa and the steam room and tropical landscaped BBQ areas and mini golf.Rates are around $150 AUD per night.

Osprey Apartments Mooloolaba

The Osprey Apartments Mooloolaba are situated in the heart of Mooloolaba directly across from Mooloolaba’s known main beach.This resort presents to you modern 1, 2 and 3 bedroom fully self contained luxury apartments. Large private balconies, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and plasma screen TV’s are made available right at your stay in the luxurious apartments. The other featured amenities available including heated pool and spa, a fitness room and a covered BBQ entertainment area will make your stay colorful.

Fodor's Australia 2008

A resort hotel for the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast, a place to be

Frommer's Australia 2011

The Land of sunshine