The Best Hotels in Australia's Sunshine Coast for Every Traveller

A bright beach aesthetic runs throughout Loea Boutique Hotel – a coastal-cool abode that mixes Scandi minimalism with Balearic charm. Think whitewashed walls and blonde wood, complete with rustic rattan lampshades and hanging egg chairs. Plush king-size beds with sugar-white linen and en-suite bathrooms, stocked with Mukti Organics toiletries, also come as standard. Head to the on-site vintage food truck and treat yourself to the Piccolo Gather Box – stuffed with artisan biscuits, brie, herbed feta balls, seasonal fruit and more. Fancy capturing a picture-perfect holiday album? Book a photoshoot through the hotel.

A mix of corporate and coastal touches characterise Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort, a sea-facing hotel that’s a favourite for travelling professionals. Picture bright, spacious rooms, a gym, and a jacuzzi and swimming pool, along with stress-free service and underground parking. The roving seaside resort also has a glossy travel brochure, brimming with day trips and once-in-a-lifetime excursions, for guests wanting to take the stress out of planning their days.

Oceans Mooloolaba draws more than just its name from the sea. This glassy abode, a short stretch from Underwater World and following a fittingly blue aesthetic, looks right out to the ocean – and full-length picture windows mean you can soak in the views from your plush bed. Several outdoor pools (one being on the rooftop) at this resort on the Sunshine Coast tie into this theme, as do spa baths and rainfall showers in every room. Meanwhile, seafood platters arrive straight from the trawlers at the Mooloolaba Fisheries, loaded with freshly caught crab, shrimp and oysters on a bed of shaved ice.

Coco Mooloolaba, a towering ocean-facing resort on the Sunshine Coast, favours fuss-free decor and an aquatic design palette of ice white and aquamarine. Rooms are bright in their minimalism, complete with air conditioning and tiled floors that offer respite from the beating sun. Start your day with a sunrise swim, spend the day at the nearby Mooloolaba Beach and Sunshine Plaza, then enjoy an early evening BBQ at the hotel.

In contrast to the beachy boltholes along the Sunshine Coast, Arabella Guesthouse follows a quaint country aesthetic. The charming, chintzy abode comprises five suites and has an air of seclusion – though you might spot other guests in the wood-beamed Reading Room where books, African trinkets and unspoilt views of Buderim and the ocean vie for your attention. A stacked breakfast of cereals, fresh fruit salads and pastries, along with Ethiopian Harrar coffee, will prepare you for a day of exploring the area – be that through the jet ski safari, 4WD Bribie Island tour or scuba diving, all of which are discounted activities for guests.

Peppers, set in the tropical laid-back Noosa, which is known for its chi-chi shops and brunch culture, gives you the choice of resort-style hotel rooms or spacious villas – perfect for a group of friends or the whole family. As one of the best resorts on the Sunshine Coast, it is bright and breezy with a very coastal vibe, while relaxation prevails at the deluxe day spa with a private Geisha bathing suite.

Head to Spicers Clovelly Estate, in the hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, for its French-inspired architecture, interiors and food. Charcuterie platters and champagne from its award-winning restaurant, the Long Apron, come highly recommended. The five-star hotel is close to the picturesque town of Montville and about a 25-minute drive to the nearest beach.

Looking for somewhere to take the family and keep them occupied? There’s so much to do at Mandolin Resort, including swimming, playing tennis and mini golf, that you’ll only need to leave if you fancy catching a wave – the beach (Alexandra Headland) is conveniently right across the road. Every apartment is fully self-contained and fitted with a full-size kitchen and your own washing machine.