Websites for accommodation in Queensland:

• Noosa - apartments with wireless internet
• Quay West Brisbane
• Noosa Pad
• My favourite Noosa apartment, with river views
  
• Brisbane Downtown
• Mooloolaba
• Oceans Mooloolaba
• Sirocco Mooloolaba
• Western Brisbane (including Toowong)

I like vacationing on Hastings Street, in Noosa:
For accommodation on Hastings Street, look at these websites:

• Laguana on Hastings
  
• Hastings Street Noosa
• Accommodation with Free Wireless Internet
• Standby Specials
• Sebel Noosa

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I visited Noosa Heads this weekend.  I recommend the Sebel Noosa Resort (also known as Laguna on Hastings).  It is located in the centre of Hastings Street.  It is a short walk across the road to the beach.

The resort has two pools, in central courtyards.

Although it is close to all the action, inside the resort is tranquil and private.

The resort has one and two bedroom apartments, all fully airconditioned.  Each apartment has a kitchen, living room, laundry and balcony, as well as one or two separate bedrooms.

You can see a range of apartments at the RW website.

Take care when booking -- each apartment is slightly different.  Some have a courtyard view, some have a pool view, some have a Hastings Street view, some have a river view and some have no view.  Also, there is a big difference between the ground floor and the top floor -- there are three levels of apartments, with elevators. 

If you book via the RW website, you can pre-book the exact apartment that you want.  You are guaranteed that apartment.

My favourite is a top floor river view.

If this is not available, you can book directly with the hotel.

Sebel Pool

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Check out these places to stay on the Sunshine Coast

• Oceans Mooloolaba
• Mooloolaba
• Noosa Heads
• Hastings Street, Noosa  (alternative site for high quality Hasting Street accommodation)
  
• Alexandra Headland
• Sunshine Beach
• Caloundra
• Kings Beach
• Hinterland
• Montville
  

Consolidated list for Sunshine Coast

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Check out these sites for good Gold Coast accommodation:

• Broadbeach
• Burleigh Heads
• Surfer's Paradise and Main Beach
• Coolangatta
• All of Gold Coast
  

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This is a good site to look for a discounted hotel room, across a range of hotels and apartments in Brisbane.

It has availability for some hotels even if Wotif does not.  And you can book well in advance.

Look and book here.

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Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, is a great beach destination.  Mooloolaba beach was recently rated by the British travel magazine as the best family beach in Australia.

The action in Mooloolaba takes place along Mooloolaba Esplanade.  This is where the best accommodation is located, and where most people go to shop and eat.  There are many cafes.  The Esplanade runs along the coast -- so most buildings on the Esplanade have ocean views and are a close walk to the beach.

My recommendations:

1.   Oceans Mooloolaba

This is the newest, most luxurious place to stay at Mooloolaba.  You can choose between 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom apartments.  All have ocean views.  There is a classy pool, which also has ocean views.  Each apartment has fantastic modern but comfortable furniture, 2 flat screen TVs, a full kitchen, a balcony, at least 2 futuristic bathrooms, a private entry courtyard, air-conditioning and a central sound and lighting system.

The Oceans complex has a pool, a kids wading pool, a private cinema and a gym.

This is a private complex -- with about 50 apartments.  It is about 10 floors, and there are no more than 6 apartments per floor.

Further details for this 5 star resort.

You can book directly via the hotel's booking system in real time here.

Oceans

2.   Sirocco

In a good location, with a pool overlooking the ocean.

The suites are privately owned, and so the quality and style of furniture varies.

3.   Zanzibar

The good location, but the pool is at the rear of the building and is tiny.  Again,  suites are privately owned, and so the quality and style of furniture varies.  Slightly run-down.

4.   Mantra

The tallest and largest building in Mooloolaba, and usually good prices.  For families and groups.

Details:

• one bedroom
• two bedroom
• general details
• bookings

Opposite the surf club, and a little older.  Pool, but not overlooking ocean.

Details

Bookings

6.   Peninsular

Opposite the surf club, and a little older.  Pool, but not overlooking ocean.

Details

You can see other Mooloolaba accommodation here.

MooloolabaOceans

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See this NYT article about Brisbane.

Recommended Hotels from NYTimes:

• Saville South Bank
• Emporium in the Valley

Saville

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I recommend two hotels for Brisbane City.

1.   Quay West on Alice Street

Quay West is an all suite hotel, with one and two bedroom suites.  It is a full service hotel (not an apartment complex that has been turned into short term rentals).  It has room service and 24 hour reception, valet parking, restaurant, pool, gym and spa.  All rooms have an excellent view of the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, and most have river views.  The hotel has its back to the city, and so looks out over the river and gardens.  It is a very short walk to nearby office buildings and the shopping district.  One of the best restaurants in Brisbane, Restaurant II, is located one block away on Alice Street.

Further Information and Bookings

Discount Bookings for Quay West

Brisbane Quay West

2.   Stamford Plaza

At the end of Alice Street, on the Brisbane River, is the Stamford Hotel.  This is a full service hotel.  The rooms are smaller than those at Quay West.  Very nice pool.  Good restaurants.  A great location, overlooking the Brisbane River and at the edge of the Botanical Gardens.

Further Information or Book Here.

Quay West - 20th Floor View

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South Bank in Brisbane is a fantastic area to visit.  There are many shops and restaurants.  South Bank is a well managed public park, with a large public beach swimming pool overlooking the Brisbane River.  South Bank has great city views, and is an easy walk to and from downtown Brisbane across the Queen Street Bridge or the Goodwill Walking Bridge.  South Bank has the best cinema complex in Brisbane.  Just nearby is the Performing Arts Centre, the Modern Art Museum and the Queensland Art Gallery.

The best place to stay at South Bank is the Saville Hotel.  Less than 2 years old, it has large suites (which include kitchens) and an interesting pool and gym area.  Book here.

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Noosa is one of the premier beach resorts in Australia, located between Brisbane and Fraser Island.  It has a great beach, national parks near by, river cruises, shops and restaurants.

When staying at Noosa, Hastings Street is the place to be.

For Hastings Street accommodation, I recommend Richardson & Wrench Holiday Booking Service for the best upmarket places to stay on Hastings Street.  My preferred resort is the Sebel Noosa Resort, also know as Laguna On Hastings.

For other sources of Hastings Street accommodation, try this list.

Noosa from the Air

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