RACV Noosa Resort

The RACV Noosa Resort is a large complex set in pretty grounds bordering a nature sanctuary, with a mix of suites, apartments, and villas arranged around a central building. The lobby is a functional area with a good collection of comfortable seating spaces, leading through to the restaurants and pool area at the rear. Here, the restaurants and outside space blend seamlessly, creating a lovely indoor/outdoor environment, with the pool and wetlands behind providing a scenic backdrop to a buffet breakfast, a wood-fired pizza, or a day spent by the pool. The resort appeals to families, especially those with young children, and they make up the bulk of the guests. However, the set-up also works well for large groups and couples, especially the exclusive Enclave, with its own pool.

The resort is located on Noosa Drive, in a peaceful spot with nice riverside grounds that's a five-minute drive from Noosa center. There's a free shuttle bus into town for shopping and dining on Hastings Street, and for Noosa's main beach. Its a 15-minute walk into Noosa Head, which has a strip of shops plus a supermarket and cinema. This is also where you can pick up the bus to the airport from Noosa Plaza, which takes about an hour. The trip by car is about 30 minutes, and the hotel will arrange a transfer if needed. Buses also leave from Noosa Head down the coast, stopping at the many beaches along the way, such as Marcus Beach, which tends to be quieter than Noosa's main beach (though it lacks life guards). The cafes and boutiques of charming Mapleton and other villages in the scenic Blackrush Mountains are a 45-minute drive from the hotel. Popular Australia Zoo is a bit farther south, around an hour away by car.

The RACV has a wide range of rooms, all of which have one to three bedrooms and a bright minimalist style that echoes the natural surroundings. Expect to see light wood furniture and rattan lampshades, plus attractive soft furnishings and subtle floral patterns. Artwork is kept to a tasteful minimum, and reflects the landscape outside. Layouts include One-Bedroom Suites, multi-bedrooms apartments, and Three-Bedroom Villas. All have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and either a balcony or terrace. Suites include mini-fridges and electric kettles, while other units add a full kitchen plus extras like Nespresso machines -- some even have washer/dryers. Villas are arguably the poshest, and add a garage and either a hot tub or a courtyard plunge pool. A separate gated precinct -- The Enclave -- contains exclusive Three-Bedroom Villas, which include swanky extras like Miele gas-range ovens and built-in coffee machines. These also feature access to a private lap pool and communal barbecue area. Bathrooms are fresh and contemporary across the board, with touches of light wood. Suites have double sinks and a shower, while Two- and Three-Bedroom Apartments have a mix of showers and shower/tub combos. Master bedroom en-suites in the villas have jetted tubs.

Features are numerous at this large resort, and on-par with the area's other four-pearl options. There's a large outdoor pool area with a range of pools including a sandy zero-entry lagoon, a children's fun pool with slides, a shaded toddler pool, and a large outdoor hot tub. There's also a splash park for younger kids. Two restaurants overlook the pool, both with outdoor terraces. These include the laid-back Dazza's Bar with cafe-style seating and an impressive pizza oven, and the more formal Acuri restaurant. Food can also be delivered to rooms and grills are available to rent at a fee. Food gets universally solid marks and breakfast buffets are included in some room rates (though are pricey otherwise). Additionally, children 12 and under eat breakfast for free as long as they are with a paying adult. There's a spa with several treatment rooms, a small exercise room, and floodlit tennis courts (free to use), plus plenty of scenic trails to explore with rental bikes. A game room has foosball and an Xbox, and DVDs can be rented. There's a guest PC and several meeting rooms for corporate guests. The resort has free Wi-Fi throughout, and parking is also free. A free shuttle runs to the beach and shopping along Hastings Street.