Noosa’s landmark hotel has a brand-new look (and a great restaurant)

The hotel: Elysium Noosa Resort, Queensland

Check-in

It’s overcast and rainy as we arrive at Maroochydore airport for the 30-minute drive to Noosa Heads, and the forecast for the weekend ahead is no better. We’d briefly considered postponing our trip, given that a stay at Queensland’s ritziest resort town is traditionally all about sunshine, swimming and Massimo’s ice-cream but as we’re efficiently welcomed into Elysium’s newly refreshed lobby area and handed a chilled glass of sparkling wine, our mood lifts.

Once the late ’80s salmon-pink Sheraton and from 2016 the Sofitel, Noosa’s biggest and best-known hotel (and currently the only one with five stars, pending the Calile opening in 2028), has undergone a $30-million upgrade. It’s now an Elysium (a “paradise of eternal happiness” according to Greek mythology), the new brand from owners the Laundy and Karedis families. It’s the sister property to Sydney’s Manly Pacific and managed by Accor in its MGallery Collection portfolio.

The look

It’s hard to avoid cliches when describing the decor – “sophisticated coastal chic” says it all really. Inside the main building Melbourne studio Mitchell & Eades has stuck to a very on-trend colour palette of soft blue-greys, white and hits of coral, while the nearby restaurant and bar is a bolder blend of terracotta and olive green. The 1980s bones are still evident but the Mediterranean resort vibe is strong, right down to the newly imported European sun loungers and private cabanas in the renovated pool area (rest assured, the swim-up bar remains).

The room

The grey drizzle almost feels like a blessing when we check out our one-bedroom suite at the back of the hotel, overlooking the tidal waterways of the Noosa River. It’s peaceful and supremely comfortable; with a Spotify playlist synced through the Marshall Bluetooth speaker and a (Riedel) glass of Yarra Yering pinot noir, there seems no reason to budge from the chaise longue. There are many nice touches in these Elysium sixth-floor suites, my favourite being the plethora of lamps (hooray) for cosy mood lighting instead of the usual harsh hotel downlights and spotlights, plus no over-complicated controls.

Bespoke cabinetry, double wardrobes, a bedroom with Princess and the Pea-height bedding plus a glam art-deco-inspired bathroom speak to a generosity of interior design that’s less common than you’d hope. Meanwhile, the balcony (every room has one) only gets used by a pair of lorikeets during our stay but has sunset views in better weather.

Food + drink

Cibaria, the hotel’s new restaurant that’s also open to the public, is a game-changer: its food, wine and service matching the best of the big-city players. (No surprises here: it’s run by Anna and Alessandro Pavoni of Sydney’s Ormeggio, a’Mare and the original Cibaria at the Manly Pacific Hotel.) The previous restaurant with its separate side entrance has been opened up and the space now flows easily through Bar Capri to the street, making it more accessible for locals and visitors alike. It’s buzzing during our stay, the open kitchen pumping out lobster brioche rolls and vitello tonnato to the bar; exemplary seafood platters, slow-fermented pizzas and charcoal-grilled dry-aged steaks to the restaurant. Special mention to head sommelier Steve Major, who introduced us to a Sicilian carricante from Etna; timarasso, Piedmont’s white barolo and Rucolino, an amaro made from rocket (much better than it sounds).

Out and about

Beyond beautiful Main Beach, Noosa Heads’ usual drawcard on sunny days, Hastings Street is renowned for high-end shopping: you’ll find Orlebar Brown, Husk, Aje and Mecca stores, among others. Much gentler on the credit card is a walk through Noosa National Park, where a 10.8km coastal trail will take you to Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point and around the headland to Sunshine Beach. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard to see Noosa Sound from the river; hop on the ferry to Noosaville (its wharf behind Elysium); visit local producers such as Seabourne Distillery or craft brewery Heads of Noosa, or head to the Sunday morning farmers market at Noosaville.

The verdict

If you can have an excellent stay in a beach resort during a rainy weekend, it says a lot about the high quality of accommodation and dining. We can’t wait to return and test out a cabana and the pool menu (food provided by Cibaria’s excellent kitchen).

Essentials

Elysium Noosa Resort, 14-16 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Queensland.
There are 175 guest rooms and suites (including the penthouse two-bed Elysium Suite) of varying types with pool, river or village views, priced accordingly. Rooms from $700 per night; one-bedroom Elysium-level suite from $900. There are two accessible rooms. Poolside cabanas can be reserved from $170 half day and from $440 full day. See elysiumnoosa.com.au

One more thing

The Noosa Food & Wine Festival returns Thursday June 11 to Sunday June 14, 2026; see noosafoodandwine.com.au

Our score out of five

★★★★

Highlight

Don’t go past the Bar Capri signature spritz: rosemary-distilled Seabourne gin with limoncello, grapefruit, prosecco and soda.

Lowlight

Parts of the resort including the (nevertheless excellent) Aqua day spa, gym and events areas are still awaiting renovation.

The writer was a guest of Elysium Noosa.