The highest rooftop bar on the Sunshine Coast has opened, with its own pool and striking views of the beach and surrounding suburbs.
The as-yet-unnamed venue at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in the new Maroochydore CBD was launched last week.
The bar is the latest addition to the hotel, which opened in 2022 with 181 guest rooms and suites and was a joint partnership between Pro-invest Group and IHG Hotels and Resorts.
Daniel Lawder, the Queensland cluster hotel manager for Pro-invest Group, said the bar made the most of its position.
“The location is a unique aspect for where it is – it’s the highest rooftop pool bar in the area and we get a beautiful sunset view of the Glass House Mountains,” he said.
“Since the bar is up high, it’s really quite quiet and a great place to come up and relax.
“It has been an idea in the back of our minds since the hotel first opened in 2022, and something we’ve really pushed to make happen as it felt like a good way to give back to the community.
“It was a personal project of mine to bring it to life and something that I’ve been passionate about, so to see it all come together was so heartwarming.”
The hotel has also partnered with socially conscious brewery Local Brewing Co to provide an exclusive new beer that will support Australians in need.
Proceeds from every Express Pale Ale sold at all eight Holiday Inn Express hotels across Australia will go towards meals for those facing food insecurity through Local Brewing Co’s charity partner SecondBite.
“They do some incredible work,” Mr Lawder said. “This year they’ve provided 400,000 meals for Australians facing hunger and food insecurity.
“Our aim is to hit two million meals by the end of 2025.
“The new rooftop bar is the first location where the keg beer has been installed and taste-tested, with other hotels now rolling out the new brew.”
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Mr Lawder said the rooftop bar, which can hold up to 85 people, would operate Thursday to Saturday and be open to the public.
“The Holiday Inn Express team has always tried to be a leader in the community so we wanted to make sure everyone was welcome in the new space,” he said.
“Corporate retreats are the aim, with the space being ideal for canapes and cocktails after meetings at the hotel.
“It’s also the perfect location for small weddings and birthdays – it’s quite intimate, which is special.”
Mr Lawder said they planned to give the venue a name soon.
“We’re in the process of devising the name, so watch this space. We can reveal more in the first week of January,” he said.
