Best Western Hotels and Resorts’ $15million new-build Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel will become the Sunshine Coast’s only full service corporate hotel after its grand opening on November 26.
Located in Birtinya in the heart of Stockland’s $880 million Oceanside Health Hub development – including a new Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital and the recently opened Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, the new Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel will host 80 local officials and partners on Thursday, less than 12 months after ground was broken.
The 4.5-star hotel offers 81 rooms ranging from king deluxe to executive suites with luxury king size pillow top beds, designed for business travellers looking to stay productive and guests seeking a vibrant, relaxing space to unwind.
All rooms offer the most modern technology including 50” LED TVs, USB charging ports, complimentary Wi-Fi and in executive rooms, coffee machines and bathrobes.
Built to cater for business travellers, guests will enjoy the convenience of 24-hour reception, a business centre, free parking and dry cleaning services.
Open 7 days for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the hotel’s aptly named Wildflower Restaurant and Bar celebrates the Sunshine Coast’s Kawana region, which translates to the word ‘wildflower’ in the Aboriginal language.
The Wildflower Restaurant and Bar extends onto a timber deck where guests can sit and enjoy panoramic water views of Lake Kawana. Head chef Gareth Collins said customers will enjoy a casual dining experience and a menu specialising in seasonal produce and wines sourced locally from the Sunshine Coast.
For meetings and events, there are two conference rooms, which open up into one versatile setting. Catering for up to 90 people for banquets or 120 people for cocktail events, the purpose-built function space flows out onto Wildflower Restaurant and Bar’s waterfront deck and can be tailored to all conferencing needs.
“We are honoured to be Best Western Hotels and Resorts’ only Sunshine Coast property in their 4.5-star brand – Best Western Plus – and to play our part in bringing the lifestyle and medical precinct of Oceanside Kawana to fruition. This hotel provides a much needed brand new accommodation, function and dining option for this busy part of the Sunshine Coast,” said general manager of Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel, John Örning.
“Watching the property start out as a construction site and then morph into a premium new build hotel makes the official opening such an exciting milestone to celebrate with the local community. There’s been no expense spared – the rooms have been designed by Best Western’s lead designer Cassandra Sasso, who has really worked to bring the vibrant colours of the native wildflowers to life through designer furnishings, plush bedding and wall prints hanging in each guest room.
“We wanted to make sure the design would convey a vibrant and fresh feel that’s suitable for the location, while still keeping it elegant and sophisticated. The commissioned wildflower artwork that is featured in the guest rooms really emulates this idea, and was pivotal in developing the concept throughout the rest of the hotel. The native wildflower influenced the entire interior design fitout, which guests will be greeted with on arrival and see illustrated by the striking apricot and blue themeing throughout the guest rooms and public spaces.
“Final touches are now being added and already I’m excited to see bookings for the Christmas and January school holidays are coming in,” said Örning.
Geoff Mahony, Best Western Australasia’s general manager strategic development and hotel management services said the Sunshine Coast’s corporate market is a perfect fit for the upscale Best Western Plus brand.
“Construction was completed ahead of schedule so we’ve welcomed our first guests two weeks earlier than planned, which has been a great warm-up for our official opening. The support the Sunshine Coast has shown for this new hotel has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said.
“I’m thrilled the Best Western Plus Oceanside Kawana Hotel will cater for such a large corporate market here on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a true reflection of what guests are looking for: great service combined with modern technology and function rooms – something the region needs for tourism and business growth, particularly for the developing Oceanside Health Hub precinct which will attract many businesses from the medical and pharmaceutical industries.”