An exciting new offering from a global hotel chain is almost ready to take up residence on the Sunshine Coast, heralding a milestone moment in the Maroochydore CBD development.
Australia’s largest greenfield CBD project, Maroochydore City Centre, will in May welcome Holiday Inn Express and Suites Sunshine Coast on the corner of First Avenue and Fairway Drive.
And guests can now start booking their getaways in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
Pro-invest Hotels, in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, announced the on-schedule launch of the hotel, which boasts 181 guest rooms and suites.
This is the first Suites product for the Express brand in Australia and will be one of the jewels in the crown of one of the nation’s most-advanced, 21st century CBDs.
Walker Corporation’s $2.5 billion investment and historic development agreement with Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd (established to oversee the development) will deliver about 160,000 sqm of commercial and retail space and 4000 residential apartments over the next 15 to 20 years on the former Horton Park Golf Course site.
In March 2021, global investment firm Pro-invest Group announced construction had started on the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Sunshine Coast project.
National construction company Minicon was engaged to undertake the building which was scheduled to finish in May this year.
Pro-invest Co-CEO Jan Smits said at the time that the new nine-storey hotel would feature a roof-top swimming pool, bar and dining venue, conference and function facilities, parking and ground-level retail space.
The completed Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast will be the ideal base for those wanting to explore the region.
Each of the rooms and suites have been designed to offer a seamless and comfortable stay.
Features will include speedy Wi-Fi, study nooks, premium bedding and the brand’s signature Express Recharg’ which includes a pillow menu, black-out blinds and a walk-in power shower.
The chain is known for offering exceptional value for guests.
Part of the brand’s DNA to create fuss-free, smart travel means guests can kick-start their day with a free Express Start Breakfast which includes hot and cold options. For those in a rush, there’s the Express Start Breakfast Grab & Go option instead.
Guests wanting retail therapy can head to the hotel’s ground-floor shopping space, then unwind with a dip in the rooftop pool while soaking up the views of Maroochydore.
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Business travellers will appreciate the convenient conference and function facilities and flexible workspaces, while The Great Room provides a common area which can be used as a relaxing space to work from or to catch up with friends over a drink.
Pro-invest Hotels chief operating officer Shantha de Silva said the launch of the hotel signified the increasing demand for new accommodation on the Coast.
“We’re thrilled to be opening a Holiday Inn Express & Suites on the Sunshine Coast and believe it’s a positive sign of the travel industry regaining momentum and highlights Pro-invest Hotels’ significant growth with four exciting new hotels scheduled to open in May alone,” Mr de Silva said.
“With a motto of: ‘Less boring, more exploring’, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast is the ideal place to stay for those wanting to uncover all the wonders that this diverse region has to offer from pristine beaches to subtropical rainforests and unique coastal villages.”
IHG Australasia and Pacific managing director Matthew Tripolone said the opening of the Maroochydore CBD hotel was “a wonderful addition to the Sunshine Coast, and a burst of optimism for the industry as we continue to grow our exciting brands across the region”.
“Not only is this hotel the first Suites product for the Express brand in Australia, it’s the ninth Holiday Inn Express opening with Pro-invest across Australia & New Zealand – and a testament to our ongoing partnership,” he said.
“I have no doubt the hotel’s coastal charm and approach to smart, savvy travel will be a favourite amongst travellers as we get out and about once again.”
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The hotel’s green credentials also will be important.
With a commitment to sustainability, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast is aiming for a high NABERS Energy and Water rating and a Net Zero 2030 target by continuously reducing its environmental footprint.
Energy-efficient equipment and systems will be used throughout the hotel.
Single-use plastics are banned and bulk amenities will be on provided instead of one-time-use disposable bathroom amenities.
The hotel also offers “A Greener Stay” initiative, which allows guests to reduce their environmental footprint when staying two or more nights by opting out of housekeeping services, which then helps save energy, water use and waste output.
Bookings are available on the website.
