Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, Review
The Sunshine Coast waited four decades for an international hotel brand, a period normally reserved for local planning approval. Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel opened in May 2026, on Brisbane Road, just a short sandy walk back from the main beach. With 180 rooms across 12 storeys and the distinction of being the region's first internationally branded new build in more than 40 years, it has attracted some local thought. It is owned by Queensland's KPAT Hotels under franchise from Minor Hotels, which is a long way of saying a local company built a tower and borrowed a name. Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel review
The facade is rippled and draped in greenery to mimic the waves, a brave conceit in concrete. Inside, the rooms are open plan with floorboards in beach colours, surf artworks, bedheads look like striped towels, a walk in shower beckons behind translucent glass and balconies facing the water. The details have a sense of humour, which every modern hotel needs. A vanity kit labelled "Comb on over", a pillow menu at the press of a button and a minibar of Sunshine & Sons spirits, Heads of Noosa lager and chocolate from Noosa Natural. Suites come with free standing baths and some rooms interconnect for families who still believe a beach holiday is relaxing.
The point is all upstairs. A rooftop infinity pool looks out over the Pacific, with four orange cabanas and a view across to the domes of the neighbouring Mantra Zanzibar, which turn a Queensland pool deck into something close to Santorini. Sully's Rooftop seats 300 under executive chef Marky Godbeer, who arrived from the Calile, and cooks seafood like it should be cooked. Think ember roasted king prawns with coconut dressing, a smoked Wagyu snag for anyone who misses the sausage sizzle, and a linguine with spanner crab and Moreton Bay bug.
Breakfast has chilli fried eggs and coconut waffles. A Lobby Bar sits at street level with paper lanterns and terracotta lounges, and AvaniSpa has a private sauna guests can book for half an hour.
There are moments of frustration and quirks every hotel has. Some you can overlook, especially when it is busy, like slow restaurant service, queues for the lifts to the rooftop, no water in the rooms. These are all dressed by efficient and caring staff who are mor than happy to take feedback. Light sleepers might want a room a way from the party part of the hotel or simply get amongst it until it all closes down at 1am. Most visitors to the region aren't here for a corporate stay, and of they are, there's plenty of staid accommodation for those folk who need peace and quiet.
Mooloolaba has been unpretentious for a long time and this is its first attempt at showing off. It is a better attempt than most. The hotel is fun, dare I say youthful and well worth all of the effort that has been expended.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is at 10 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba QLD
Rooms start from around $34o per night.
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