October is the point in the year when, to put it lightly, I need a holiday. Fortunately, it’s hard to feel the weight of work and everyday life for very long once you step inside Noosa’s newly revamped Elysium Hotel. Check-in is swift and discreet, made all the more pleasant with a glass of champagne in hand. Our room wasn’t quite ready, but this was hardly a cause for concern. The team had thoughtfully reserved us a spot by the pool, tucked away in one of the hotel’s exclusive cabanas, where we could settle in and ease into holiday mode.
I grew up in Brisbane, and holidays in Noosa were a regular fixture for my family. As such, I know the formula for a relaxing break here. You want to be close enough to the action of Hastings Street that getting to the beach isn’t a chore (parking is notoriously difficult), and you can make the most of the ever-evolving selection of boutiques along the strip. But it’s equally nice to feel a little removed from the crowds, particularly during the busier school holiday periods. Fortunately, Elysium nails the brief. Sitting at the heart of Hastings Street, between the beach and the river, the hotel puts you within easy reach of Noosa’s best bits – Massimo Gelato, Alterior Motif boutique, the new MECCA Cosmetica – while offering a welcome retreat from the bustle outside.
The hotel has worn a few different guises over the years, first opening as a Sheraton in 1989 before becoming the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort. Its latest incarnation, Elysium, arrived in December 2025, bringing a fresh perspective to a property that has long been part of the Hastings Street landscape. The redesign, by Melbourne studio Mitchell & Eades, feels well suited to its surroundings – sleek, but with that distinct beach holiday vibe. It’s an approach that feels right for Noosa, where a day spent barefoot by the water can just as easily end with a very good cocktail.
The hotel
If it’s an oasis you’re looking for, the Wellness Suites come highly recommended. There are only seven available, designed for guests who want a little more restoration built into their stay.
In addition to a light, airy room filled with beautiful, custom-designed furniture, the main draw points of the Wellness Suite were an infrared sauna tucked into the ensuite, and a magnesium spa on the sprawling balcony – a particularly appealing place to unwind after a day exploring Noosa.
But it’s the little details that have been given careful consideration, too. There’s a discreet cupboard full of yoga and Pilates equipment for a morning stretch (and Peloton equipment available on request), a wellness minibar stocked with Jiva tonics and protein balls (as well as the usual minibar fare), a turndown service that includes chamomile tea and an IKKARI sleep tonic, and a dedicated Wellness Concierge who can arrange everything from private yoga sessions to sound healing treatments. The best part is there’s no set schedule to follow, and I was more than happy to alternate between the sauna and the magnesium spa at my own pace.
The food
If there’s one thing I want from a holiday, it’s not having to think too hard about anything, least of all breakfast. The Wellness Suite delivers on that front, with breakfast brought straight to your room whenever you’re ready for it. All you need to tell staff is your coffee order, they’ll take care of the rest. The spread includes boiled eggs, avocado toast, Pepe Saya butter, coconut yoghurt, toasted museli, and fresh fruit perfectly arranged in a way that’s (almost) too good to eat. It’s the kind of breakfast that sets you up for whatever the day has in store, whether that’s hiking the national park or simply parking yourself by a body of water.
Of course, if you’d prefer to venture out, there’s also a classic buffet breakfast at The Terrazza. Come lunchtime, we took our appetite poolside, ordering food to enjoy from the comfort of our cabana. The menu covers everything from nostalgic hotel favourites, like club sandwiches and prawn rolls, to deluxe seafood platters piled with sashimi and whole lobsters. The drinks list, too, feels like a throwback to another decade, but in the best possible way. In my opinion, the pick of the bunch is the Noosa Vice – a frozen cocktail that’s half mango daiquiri, half piña colada. And if the mood strikes while you’re in the water, you can always order from the swim-up bar.
Come dinner, Cibaria is well worth booking a table for. Located within the hotel, the Italian restaurant brings a little of the Mediterranean to Hastings Street, with a menu that spans fresh seafood, house-made pasta (the vodka pasta comes highly recommended) and wood-fired bites. The atmosphere is lively, as is the adjoining Bar Capri, which is well worth a visit for a pre- or post-dinner tipple. And when you’re staying just upstairs, there’s no need to worry about getting home.
What to do
If you’re looking for a holiday that doesn’t require you to go anywhere, Elysium makes a pretty compelling case for staying put. You could spend an entire day by the pool here, preferably from the comfort of a private cabana (which you’ll need to book in advance). Not only do you get a little more space – lounge chairs, a couch, and stools facing out over Hastings street – but staff are extremely attentive, offering everything from water refills to sunscreen and lens wipes. My ideal afternoon involves lying here with a cocktail in hand, and no plans beyond a little swimming and people-watching.
If you’re after a little more relaxation, it’s worth booking a treatment at the hotel’s spa, where you can make time for a massage or facial alongside the wellness facilities. And, of course, there’s plenty to keep you occupied beyond the hotel itself. Elysium sits right in the heart of Hastings Street, putting Noosa’s boutiques, cafés and restaurants within easy reach, with Main Beach just a short stroll away.
