Experiential Stays on the Sunshine Coast: How Unique Amenities Are Shaping the Future of Holidays
The way people holiday is evolving, and here on the Sunshine Coast, it’s clear that travellers are looking for more than just a place to sleep. At Welcome Ready Holiday Homes, we’re seeing a strong increase in demand for experiential stays, properties that offer unique features and tailored experiences designed to make every trip memorable. From wellness-focused retreats to family-friendly fun, today’s guests are after holidays that offer something beyond the ordinary. Whether it’s a private sauna, an ice bath, a yoga studio to stretch and unwind, or playful spaces for children, these extra touches transform a stay from good to unforgettable.
Wellness Escapes: Saunas, Ice Baths, and Yoga Spaces
More than ever, travellers are prioritising health and wellness during their holidays. Properties with private saunas, ice baths, and fully equipped yoga rooms and studios provide the ultimate opportunity to unwind, recharge, and focus on personal wellbeing. Guests can start their mornings with a yoga flow, soothe their muscles in a sauna, or energise with a cold plunge before stepping out to explore the Sunshine Coast’s beaches and hinterland. This isn’t a side trend. It’s part of the larger wellness surge: the Global Wellness Institute estimates the global wellness economy hit $6.3 trillion in 2023 and projects it to reach nearly $9.0 trillion by 2028. Wellness tourism alone is forecast to cross $1 trillion in 2024, with growth projected strongly through 2027. Wellness has moved from “nice-to-have” to the reason people choose where they stay,.
Entertainment:
Playgrounds,
Trampolines,
and More
Families are increasingly choosing properties that offer on-site activities for kids. Homes with trampolines, playgrounds, games rooms, or private pools keep children entertained while parents relax nearby. With these spaces, families can enjoy quality time together without needing to leave the property for entertainment.
On most major booking platforms, entertainment amenities are searchable tick boxes, not just listing details. Guests often filter by things like games rooms, trampolines, pools, gyms, or kids’ play areas. If a property doesn’t have these amenities selected, it simply won’t appear in those filtered search results, meaning potential guests never even see it.
In short, without entertainment amenities, a property can lose visibility at the search stage, not just at the decision stage.
Gatherings, Elopements and Special Events
The Sunshine Coast’s unique properties are also meeting a growing demand for intimate gatherings and celebrations. Whether it’s a small elopement, anniversary, or milestone birthday, homes with scenic gardens, outdoor entertaining spaces, and flexible layouts provide the perfect backdrop. Guests can celebrate in style, enjoy privacy, and create memories in a setting designed to impress.
In 2020, COVID-19 crashed down big wedding plans with caps on gatherings and travel bans. Though restrictions on gatherings are long gone, wedding planners in Australia are seeing an increasing numbers of elopement requests. In the current economic climate, eloping makes a lot of sense. A recent survey by Easy Weddings found that the average spend for a wedding in Australia was $34,715. For many couples, that’s a serious chunk of change that could be put towards more permanent goals, like a house deposit or general life savings.
For holiday homes, this creates a clear opportunity. Properties that offer event spaces are perfectly positioned to host elopements, micro-weddings, anniversaries, and small celebrations.
Why Are Experiential Stays on the Rise?
The trend toward experience-driven holidays reflects a shift in what travellers value most: connection, comfort, and memories. People aren’t just booking a house, they’re seeking a lifestyle experience, from wellness and fitness to fun and celebration. Properties with unique features meet these desires while providing flexibility, privacy, and luxury. At Welcome Ready , we specialise in handpicking and managing properties that offer these extraordinary experiences. From beachfront villas to hinterland retreats, our homes are curated to deliver unforgettable holidays tailored to every type of guest, families, couples, friends, or small wedding parties.
Ready to make your next Sunshine Coast holiday truly memorable? Explore our selection of experiential stays and discover homes with saunas, ice baths, yoga studios, kids’ playgrounds, and stunning spaces for elopements and celebrations. Your next unforgettable experience is waiting.
