Best Sunshine Coast Accor property?

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm planning to be in the Sunshine Coast in February next year over the weekend. I was taking a look around at the Accor site and found a few rates as an Accor+Gold (I will be an Accor+Platinum when I stay at any of these properties) that are roughly in my price range and would love your thoughts on which one is recommended:





-RooFlyer88

 

[PineappleSkip]

Never stayed breakfree or Kawana but Novotel Sunshine Coast is an old favourite of ours. They’ve been great with upgrades for platinum when we’ve stayed which is always mid week quiet times. It gets much busier on weekends but midweek Feb is very peaceful (and sultry and often rainy). We’ve stayed several times over the years in lagoon view rooms which have water views but there is some noise from foot traffic along the walkway out the front. Beach is a lengthy walk. We now stay in garden view rooms which are cheaper, quieter but no water views, and 100% strike rate so far for suite upgrade. You can enjoy water views at dinner in the bistro. Is resort style so some water things to use on the lagoon. Twin Waters - as the locals still call it - has been around about 25 years and some of the rooms are a bit tired. But things still work. If flying in it’s also very close to the airport, my last stay was a two nighter to bookend an early start day trip from MCY to SYD.

 

[k_sheep]

The Mercure is really not a tourism hotel - it basically just has hospital staff at any time! Rather ordinary restaurant on site.

I hate Caloundra ... dingy, often get hassled on the street, beaches pretty grotty ... so I'd avoid that one personally too!

Pity they don't have properties in Mooloolaba or Alexandra Headlands as I think those are the best beaches, great restaurants etc.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Pity they don't have properties in Mooloolaba or Alexandra Headlands

There are three Mantras on the strip in Mooloolaba, including Zanzibar and Sirocco, but they tend to charge silly prices that I don't pay for 40% of the points of a Mercure or a Novotel. There is also a Breakfree in Alex and a bit further up a Sebel in Maroochydore.

Cheers skip.

 

[jase05]

The Mercure is really not a tourism hotel - it basically just has hospital staff at any time! Rather ordinary restaurant on site.

I hate Caloundra ... dingy, often get hassled on the street, beaches pretty grotty ... so I'd avoid that one personally too!

Pity they don't have properties in Mooloolaba or Alexandra Headlands as I think those are the best beaches, great restaurants etc.

Mantra properties in Mooloolaba. Have scored some decent upgrades in the past and it’s a great spot. If you are chasing points though you just have to remember the poor earn on Mantra properties

 

[k_sheep]

Ahh I didn't pick up the 'in my price range' by OP and thought that was all there was!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. It seems that the general consensus is that the Novotel is the best choice considering amenities, price and proximity to Sunshine Coast.

I'll book that and report back on my thoughts when I visit there next year!

-RooFlyer88

 

[http_x92]

Thanks for the suggestions above. Also looking at this and the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort looks great with the current off peak rates but its a matter of catching public transport and it looks like a 25 minute walk to the nearest bus stop. Is there any good transportation around the area?

Otherwise considering the Breakfree Alexandria which doesn't have its own restaurant but close to the bus stops. Considering going to the Australia Zoo as well.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Nearest bus stops to Twin Waters are a couple km away in Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise, but an Uber from the airport won’t break the bank. From Alex there are a few direct 615 buses that take you to Australia Zoo. I’ve never stayed at the Breakfree.

 

[drron]

The problem with the Novotel is it's relative isolation. I agree that the Mercure Kawana is not a tourist hotel.
The Breakfree at Alex is in a reasonable position and the Surf club is just over the road. not a bad place for meals.
We don't mind Caloundra at all. some better restaurants there now without the Noosa prices. If you have small kids Bulcock and kings beaches are very good. and nothing beats eating fish and chips on the beach as the sun sets over the Glasshouse Mountains. So Breakfree Caloundra should be OK. There is also a bus terminal in Caloundra
No doubt though the Mantras at Mooloolaba are in the best positions for the tourist.

For Australia zoo the bus which goes there starts in Maroochydore and goes via Alex headlands and Mooloolaba. no direct service from Caloundra.

The public bus timetable is not too bad. here is the timetable from the Caloundra bus exchange on a weekday.

Caloundra station, Caloundra timetable | Translink

Caloundra station, Caloundra timetable

jp.translink.com.au

And here the services that go to Australia zoo.

Australia Zoo, Beerwah timetable | Translink

Australia Zoo, Beerwah timetable

jp.translink.com.au

But I have only ever stayed at one of the Mantra properties in Mooloolaba.

 

[craven morehead]

The Breakfree at Alex is in a great spot We really enjoyed our stays there. Surf Club across the road and cafes and food joints either side. Easy and scenic walk to Mooloolaba or the other way towards Maroochydore.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Nearest bus stops to Twin Waters are a couple km away in Mudjimba and Pacific Paradise, but an Uber from the airport won’t break the bank. From Alex there are a few direct 615 buses that take you to Australia Zoo. I’ve never stayed at the Breakfree.

Agree with PineappleSkip here having visited the Novotel back in March. It's walkable if you are the type of person who can walk (with their backpack) as I did for 45 minutes. But an Uber won't break the bank either and is probably the more sensible option.

Whether the Novotel makes sense is really a matter of what you are after. Are you looking for a resort where you can chill for a couple of days? If so, then arguably the Novotel is for you since it's got pools, lagoons and a host of other activities available (along with a patio restaurant that closes fairly late). On the other hand if your aim is to visit the local area and you don't have a rental car then there might be other properties that are more appropriate.

-RooFlyer88

 

[eric2011]

Otherwise considering the Breakfree Alexandria which doesn't have its own restaurant but close to the bus stops. Considering going to the Australia Zoo as well.

I stay here quite often and fully agree with post #11