Excellsior Apartments

Excellsior Apartments is an aparthotel for divers who would rather have room to spread out than squeeze into a conventional hotel room. The setting is waterfront, the accommodation is self-contained, and the river and waterways sit beyond the private balconies and rooftop spaces.

You get the useful version of holiday comfort here: a proper lounge, a full kitchen and laundry facilities, rather than a kettle balanced on the edge of a tiny desk. There is also a swimming pool, a heated spa and secure parking. The Excellsior building has lift access, while the separate Sailfish Cove building is a three-storey walk-up.

The atmosphere suits a couple who want the beach and restaurants nearby but prefer to sleep away from the busiest stretch. Families can also use the larger two-bedroom apartments, with board games and a garden adding a little breathing room when everyone has had enough of the promenade.

You are in Mooloolaba, Australia, at 104 River Esplanade, beside the Mooloolah waterways. Mooloolaba Beach is around a five-minute walk away, with its white sand, loungers and parasols, while the Wharf precinct and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium are also within an easy stroll. The aquarium is about 600 metres away.

The location works particularly well when the day's diving is done but the evening has not yet started. Carry on Curry Mooloolaba, Sushi Namu and Noodle Box are around 400 metres away, and Spot Coffee Roasters is roughly 450 metres from the property. Bayrische Beach Bar & Cafe is about 850 metres away, while Wat Den is around 1 km away.

For longer outings, Alexandra Headland Beach is about 1.4 miles away on foot, and the Woombye railway station is around 11 miles away by road. Sunshine Coast Airport is roughly 9 miles away by road, with Brisbane Airport considerably farther at around 57 miles by road.

The main decision is not really about hotel-room styling; it is about how much living space you want once the dive day is over. The one-bedroom apartments suit a couple who want a separate bedroom and somewhere to sit, eat and sort out the next day's plans. The superior one-bedroom apartment can accommodate three, while the two-bedroom apartments are the practical choice for four people travelling together.

The RIVA two-bedroom superior apartment has two bathrooms, which matters more than a decorative cushion when four divers return at the same time. The Sailfish Cove apartments have stair access only, so choose the Excellsior building if lift access is important to you. Rooftop options add outdoor space and water views; all apartments have a private balcony with views across the waterways.

Inside, you have air conditioning, a fan, a spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV and a dining table. The kitchens include a stovetop, oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, kettle and kitchenware. A washing machine, tumble dryer and drying rack make the accommodation better suited to a proper diving week than a quick overnight stop. The beds are described as AH Beard King Koil or similar in most apartments, and recent renovations or upgrades apply to most units.

This is self-catering accommodation, so your kitchen and dining table are part of the daily routine rather than emergency equipment. The refrigerator is useful for cold drinks after a warm day outside, while the oven, stovetop and microwave give you the option of eating in when a second outing is not on the agenda.

For meals nearby, Fish on Parkyn serves Australian seafood and wine in a spacious bistro opening onto a terrace. Rice Boi works in modern Asian fusion, and Augellos covers classic Italian dishes and gourmet pizzas in a circular dining room with water views. All three serve lunch and dinner.

There is a BBQ area at the property, with outdoor furniture and a picnic area. That gives you another straightforward option: pick up what you need, keep the evening casual and avoid making a social event out of putting food on a plate. There is no breakfast arrangement to build your morning around, so the apartment kitchen or a local café becomes the sensible start to the day.

The outdoor heated pool and spa are the obvious places to decompress without committing to another expedition. Sun loungers and beach chairs are available, and the garden gives you somewhere to sit when you have had enough of both the water and the sofa.

If you and your non-diving companion want a day away from the property, the surrounding area offers fishing, boat outings, cycling, hiking and canoeing. Horse riding is also available off site, and a golf course is within 3 km. The tour desk can help organise outings, while the local programme includes boat trips, islands, waterfalls, markets and snorkelling.

For a quieter afternoon, the waterfront location and nearby parks make a walk or an unhurried coffee easy to arrange. The property also has board games and puzzles, which is modest but useful when the weather turns or the legs have had enough. Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium is close by, and Mooloolaba's beach and shopping precinct are within walking distance.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 17:00, and you need to tell the property your expected arrival time. Photo identification and a credit card are required on arrival. Check-out is available around the clock, and luggage storage is available if your travel plans leave a gap between the apartment and your departure.

Free private parking is available on site in a secure parking garage, with space for one car per apartment. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and throughout the property. Private and express check-in and check-out are available, and the property operates a strict no-party policy, with quiet hours from 21:00 to 07:00.

Children of all ages are welcome, with cots and extra beds available on request subject to the selected apartment. The minimum age for check-in is 18, and payment is by card rather than cash. A refundable damage deposit is taken by card on arrival and returned after the apartment has been inspected at check-out. The two-bedroom Sailfish Cove apartments use stairs only, so that point deserves attention before you choose your building.