Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Australia 2004 - page 344

and lounge; and two-story, three-bedroom Ambassador Club residences boast-
ing rooftop terraces with a Jacuzzi.
The Village Square is just that: an attractive cluster of shops, restaurants, bars,
and takeout joints that provides the heart of the resort.
Warran Rd., off David Low Way (approx. 2km/1 1 ⁄ 4 miles south of town), Coolum Beach, QLD 4573. & 13 12
34 in Australia, 800/633-7313 in the U.S. and Canada, 0845/758 1666 in the U.K. or 020/8335 1220 in Lon-
don, 0800/44 1234 in New Zealand, or 07/5446 1234. Fax [phone]. www.coolum.hyatt.com. 323 units
(some with Jacuzzis). A$220-A$395 (US$143-US$256) double; A$320-A$1,400 (US$208-US$910) villa;
A$1,030-A$2,200 (US$670-US$1,430) Ambassadors' residences. Rates include continental breakfast. Extra
person A$45 (US$29). Children under 13 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. Ask about golf, spa,
and other packages. AE, MC, V. Valet parking A$18 (US$12) or self-parking. Resort shuttle meets all flights at
Sunshine Coast Airport for A$18 (US$12) per person, one-way. Town car transfers from Brisbane Airport A$79
(US$51) per person, one-way (shared service with other guests); limousine transfers available. Amenities:
4 restaurants; 3 bars; 9 outdoor pools (main pool and lap pool heated); golf course; 9 night/day tennis courts;
health club and spa; watersports equipment rental; bike rental; children's programs daily for kids ages
6 weeks to 12 years (for a fee); concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; lim-
ited room service; massage; babysitting; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; executive rooms.
Inroom: A/C, TV w/pay movies, fax, dataport, kitchenette, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa Another great place to enjoy a day
spa by the sea is at Noosa's first AAA-rated five-star resort. Right in the heart of
Hastings Street, the Sheraton has a prime spot among the chic boutiques and
restaurants. There are several different styles of rooms, but the best in my book
are those with views away from the beach but looking right down the Noosa
River to the mountains. Sit on the balcony at sunset and drink it in. All the
rooms are extra-large, and all have Jacuzzis. You'll pay more for the two-level
poolside villas, which have private access to the pool area, but there's no view.
Some rooms have ocean (but not beach) views. The Aqua Day Spa has a Roman-
bathhouse feel to it and offers a wide range of treatments in its seven treatment
rooms. The hotel restaurant, Cato's —named for Australian novelist Nancy
Cato, who lived in Noosa until her death a few years ago—fronts onto Hastings
Street and is a great place to watch the world go by.
Hastings St., Noosa Heads, QLD 4567. & 1800/073 535 in Australia, 888/625-5144 in the U.S., or 07/5449
4888. Fax [phone]. www.sheraton.com. 169 units. A$280-A$530 (US$182-US$345) double low sea-
son; A$535-A$650 (US$348-US$423) double high season (Dec 25-Jan 4). Secure covered parking and valet
parking. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; outdoor heated pool; health club and sauna; spa; Jacuzzi; daily child-
care center for ages 6 weeks to 10 years; kids' club programs on weekends and during school vacations for
ages 9-15 (for a fee); game room; concierge; tour desk; limited room service; massage (poolside and
in-room); babysitting; laundry/dry cleaning service or use of free guest laundry. In room: A/C, TV w/free and
pay-per-view movies, kitchenette with microwave, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
MODERATE
Noosa Village Motel All the letters from satisfied guests pinned up on
the wall here are a testament to owners John and Mary Skelton's hard work in
continually sprucing up this clean, bright little motel in the heart of Hastings
Street. The pleasant rooms are spacious and freshly painted, with a cheerful
atmosphere. There's no air-conditioning, but the rooms all have ceiling fans.
And at these rates, it's one of Hastings Street's best values.
10 Hastings St., Noosa Heads, QLD 4567. & 07/5447 5800. Fax [phone]. www.noosavillage.com.au.
11 units (9 with shower only). High season (Dec 24-Jan 14) A$175 (US$114) double, A$230 (US$150) family
room; low season A$100-A$110 (US$65-US$72) double, A$155 (US$101) family room. Additional person
A$11-A$15 (US$7.15-US$9.75). Discounts for longer stays. Ask about May/June specials. MC, V. Free park-
ing. Amenities: Bike rental; tour desk; car-rental desk; room-service breakfast; babysitting; coin-op laundry;
nonsmoking rooms. In room: TV, kitchenette, fridge, hair dryer.

Value