1 week ago
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September 9, 2025 — 10:14am
Beginning its life as a Sheraton in 1989 and becoming the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort in 2013, this five-star has been the sole operator in its class in Noosa for more than 35 years, thanks to strict development controls and passionately protective locals.
A handful of four-stars have opened during that time, either taking over an existing property – the Peppers Noosa was previously an Outrigger – or finding acreage within planning stringencies such as Essence Peregian Beach, also four-star, which opened on the site of a former caravan park in 2023.
But five-star has remained a solo affair.
This is set to change, though, with two new high-end properties in the works, and like other locals, the Sofitel Noosa is preparing for the influx, embarking on its first renovation since Accor took over its management 12 years ago.
The hotel is owned by The Pacific Collection, a joint venture between Australian hoteliers the Laundy family and another Aussie family business empire, the Karedises, who are hospitality investors.
The 175-room property is now attempting the delicate balancing act called “minimal disruption”, undergoing what has been described as a “transformation” while remaining open to guests.
One disruption is fairly major: the Noosa Beach House Restaurant and Bar, the hotel’s very public face in the middle of the action on Hastings Street, Noosa’s main drag, closed on July 28 for its turn in the makeover schedule. The plan is for it to reopen in time for the summer high season.
Meanwhile, renovated rooms will start being added to the inventory this month with an “elegant yet relaxed look” that Accor says is “designed to capture the spirit of Noosa: natural textures, custom detailing, and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors”.
In late 2024, Noosa Shire Council green-lit the Calile Noosa, after two years of to-and-fro between developers and designers on one side, community and council on the other.
With its blueprint created by Queensland firm Richards & Spence, the architects behind the award-winning Calile Fortitude Valley (Brisbane), the 2.4-hectare resort, at 3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads, is due to open in 2028.
The hitherto undeveloped site is on the Weyba Creek, about three kilometres from Main Beach, and will have 153 rooms, 29 suites and four villas.
Eight months after the Calile Noosa was approved, a $50 million resort project that had been tied up in planning considerations and local objections for four years was also given the green light.
The Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort will be home to the new elevated accommodation option, with 69 rooms in four low-rise buildings.
Concerns that slowed the project’s progress had included nearby koala habitat as the existing resort on the banks of Lake Weyba abuts Noosa National Park.
The boutique offering with a wellness focus is also due for completion in 2028.
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