Asia’s fastest-growing upscale hospitality brand has announced it has selected the Sunshine Coast for its first hotel in Australia.
After scouting the country for a “first-class location”, Minor Hotels chose a $50 million 4.5-star hotel to be built in Mooloolaba by young-gun developer Kenneth Wagner.
The new 180-room hotel will be branded Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, with construction to start in 2023 and the hotel to open to guests in 2025.
The 13-storey luxury development with a rooftop pool, bar and restuarant, cafe, shops, spa and gym promises a five-star experience with a balance of laid-back and lavish.
Avani Hotels and Resorts has an extensive portfolio of properties in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and beyond — including its flagship Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel.
Although Avani has some residences in Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Melbourne, the new Mooloolaba build will be its first full-scale hotel in Australia.
Minor Hotels, owners of Avani Hotels & Resorts, also manages more than 530 hotels, resorts and branded residences around the world, including 56 Oaks hotels, resorts and suites in Australia and new NH Collection property under construction in Sydney’s Surry Hills.
The branding announcement comes after Sunshine Coast Council approved the development application in March.
The project’s developer is Kenneth Wagner, director of development company KPAT Mooloolaba, who hails from Toowoomba’s prominent Wagner family.
He told Sunshine Coast News the region was crying out for an injection of new, luxury accommodation.
“It’s really difficult to get a single night’s stay on the Sunshine Coast or properties that have a full-service hotel standard offering,” said Mr Wagner.
“We could see there was a strong level of demand for a quality full service hotel.
“Apart from the Holiday Inn (which has opened in the Maroochydore CBD), there has not been a new fully serviced hotel on the Sunshine Coast for 30 years.”
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will be on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Avenue, just minutes from the Mooloolaba beach foreshore.
The building designed by Cottee Parker Architectshas been described as a three-level podium topped by a tower which contains the hotel rooms.
The ground floor of the “podium” would include a public plaza where people can meet and gather, plus a restaurant, bar, cafe and shops.
The hotel rooms and facilities such as gym and spa would be housed in the tower from floors three to 11.
Floor 12 is where functions could be held, while the whole building would be topped off with a roof area boasting a bar, restaurant, pool, outdoor dining and function space.
Avani Hotels prides itself on its “cool, contemporary styling, laidback ambience and impeccable service”.
“Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will feature 180 rooms catering to solo travellers, couples, groups, and families, as well as four distinctive restaurants, state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, a well-equipped kids’ club, a dedicated AvaniSpa, and a spectacular rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, and wedding venue with 180-degree water views,” said a media statement.
Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, said he was delighted to introduce the first Avani hotel to the Australian market.
“We have been keen to add an Avani hotel into our Australian portfolio for some time and have been scouting for a first-class location.
“We feel confident this property ticks all the boxes for travellers seeking the upscale, contemporary experience offered by our international Avani Hotels & Resorts, and we expect it will be extremely well received within the Australian market.
“We were fortunate to work with Kenneth Wagner from KPAT to develop our Oaks Toowoomba Hotel, which opened in 2020, so we are excited to watch that team bring Australia’s first Avani hotel concept to life in such an exceptional location,” added Rajakarier.
Mr Wager said he valued the relationship with Minor Hotels.
“We are looking forward to breaking ground in 2023 and beginning this journey together to deliver a unique product to the Australian market in one of Queensland’s most sought-after destinations.”
