New Sunshine Coast Hotel Opens This Week

The new 180-room Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel has opened, offering a more sophisticated option for tourists on the Sunshine Coast.
By Newsroom | Travel, Australia |

Mooloolaba, QLD - The Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, the region's first full-service, internationally branded hotel in nearly forty years, has opened its doors this week. The 180-room, 12-storey property represents a shift towards a more "sophisticated vision" for the Sunshine Coast's tourism landscape, aiming to attract a higher calibre of traveller and bolster year-round economic activity.

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The arrival of Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel signals a deliberate move away from what has been described as "dated holiday apartments" towards an "elevated coastal experience" that aligns with the area's natural assets. This development, situated on a prime corner site just 100 metres from Mooloolaba Beach, is being heralded as a significant boost to Queensland's tourism infrastructure, particularly in the lead-up to major upcoming events.

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The hotel boasts a range of amenities designed to appeal to both leisure and business travellers. Facilities include an events floor with four flexible venues capable of hosting up to 250 guests, featuring "soaring views" of the Mooloolaba River. Onsite offerings also encompass an AvaniSpa and AvaniFit gym, alongside a rooftop restaurant and pool, "Sully's Rooftop," which is already generating considerable interest. The rooms, ranging from 27 to 45 square metres, offer ocean or hinterland views and include options for families and groups.

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Shifting Tourism Dynamics

The opening of the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is positioned as a critical step in addressing a "long-standing gap" in new hotel development for the region. Industry figures, including Kenneth Wagner, managing director of KPAT Hotels, emphasize the project's role in increasing the capacity to host "higher-yield leisure travellers, business events, conferences and incentive groups."

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"This is long-term infrastructure investment that generates ongoing economic activity."

This sentiment is echoed by Natassia Wheeler, CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), who highlights the importance of new room supply as Queensland prepares for "increased visitation." Discussions around accommodation supply have reportedly been ongoing, with this project presented as proof that "delivery is possible if you are prepared to look at processes and do things differently."

The hotel's operator, Avani Hotels & Resorts, a brand under Minor Hotels, operates under the unified Minor DISCOVERY loyalty program. The brand's ethos focuses on stylish rooms, "connected social spaces," and "locally inspired" dining, catering to the "modern traveller."

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The broader economic impact of the hotel is projected to extend beyond direct employment, with an expected support for approximately 200 ongoing hospitality jobs. This development is also occurring concurrently with a major revitalisation of the Mooloolaba foreshore, featuring expanded parkland and enhanced public spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new hotel has opened on the Sunshine Coast this week?
The Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, a new 180-room hotel, has opened its doors this week. It is the first full-service, internationally branded hotel in the region in almost 40 years.
Q: What are the main features of the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel?
The hotel has 180 rooms, a rooftop restaurant and pool, a spa, a gym, and event spaces for up to 250 guests. It is located 100 metres from Mooloolaba Beach.
Q: How will the new hotel affect tourism on the Sunshine Coast?
The hotel aims to attract more high-spending tourists and business groups, helping to boost the local economy and create around 200 hospitality jobs. It is part of a larger plan to improve the area's tourism offerings.
Q: When did the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel officially open?
The Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel officially opened its doors this week, marking a significant new development for the Sunshine Coast's tourism sector.