Queensland-owned and operated KPAT Hotels has officially opened bookings for the landmark Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, a major addition to the state’s tourism infrastructure and a defining project for the Sunshine Coast’s development pipeline.
Scheduled to open on 11 May 2026, the 12-storey, 180-room property marks the first full-service internationally branded hotel to open on the Sunshine Coast in more than 40 years.
This milestone comes as Queensland faces mounting accommodation pressure ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with industry leaders warning of a critical need for large-scale hotel development across South East Queensland.
For KPAT Hotels, the project represents not only an architectural statement but also a strategic response to long-term tourism growth.
Kenneth Wagner, Managing Director of KPAT Hotels, said the launch of bookings signalled a tangible shift from planning to delivery.
“There has been a great deal of discussion about the need to build more hotel rooms in Queensland, particularly as we look toward 2032 and beyond,” Wagner said.
Wager said the milestone represents a meaningful advancement for the company.
He noted that the group is moving beyond future plans to actively launching 180 new rooms in one of Queensland’s key leisure hubs.
As a locally based owner-operator, Wager highlighted their strong confidence in the Sunshine Coast’s long-term potential, adding that the development directly addresses the ongoing demand from domestic and interstate travellers and the region’s rising profile among international visitors for both leisure and business events.
Architecturally, the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel delivers a distinctly contemporary coastal aesthetic.
The 12-storey design maximises natural light and ocean views through sweeping glass façades and open-air terraces, while its slender form respects Mooloolaba’s existing scale and coastal character.
The curved geometry of the exterior echoes the movement of water along the foreshore, while the materials palette, featuring warm timber tones, neutral stone and textured concrete, anchors the structure within its beachside setting.
Internally, the 180 guestrooms have been designed with sustainability and comfort in mind, incorporating energy-efficient climate systems, local materials, and minimal environmental impact finishes.
The layout also supports flexible use for both lifestyle and business travellers, aligning with Avani’s global design ethos of functional elegance and social connection.
From conception through to completion, the project has engaged local trades, consultants, and suppliers, injecting millions of dollars into the regional economy.
Its construction phase has drawn on Sunshine Coast-based contractors for structural, fit-out and landscape components, with KPAT Hotels maintaining a strong preference for Queensland suppliers throughout.
Beyond its design, the project’s build has been notable for its integration of sustainable construction principles.
The development incorporates high-performance glazing, efficient water systems, and advanced waste management processes consistent with National Construction Code sustainability targets.
The construction team worked to minimise disturbance to the surrounding community, with schedules coordinated to limit traffic and noise impacts on the Mooloolaba Esplanade.
When completed, the hotel will create around 200 direct jobs across management, hospitality, food and beverage, events, wellness, and front-of-house operations.
The Sunshine Coast’s tourism market has grown consistently over the past decade, buoyed by airport expansion, population growth and infrastructure upgrades.
However, most existing stock remains apartment-style accommodation, leaving a gap in internationally branded full-service offerings capable of hosting business events, conferences, and incentive groups.
“The Sunshine Coast has evolved significantly in recent years, yet it has not seen a new full-service internationally branded hotel of this scale in four decades,” Wagner said.
“This development positions the region to capture a greater share of premium leisure, corporate and event-driven travel, helping to distribute demand beyond traditional peak periods.”
Through its architectural program and operational design, the hotel aims to redefine the tourism landscape by offering meeting spaces, wellness facilities, and cutting-edge technology to attract high-yield visitor segments.
Among the property’s headline features is Sully’s, a rooftop restaurant led by Executive Chef Mark Godbeer (ex The Calile Hotel, Brisbane).
The venue’s open-plan design integrates panoramic coastal views with a refined but relaxed dining environment that celebrates the Sunshine Coast’s locally sourced seafood and seasonal produce.
