Accommodation options in Noosa are really plentiful and suitable for all budgets.
If you are looking for a large glamorous place to stay you could not go past this 5 star penthouse apartment perched high on the hill overlooking Noosa, but still within easy walking distance of Hastings Street.
An Architect designed masterpiece with accommodation for 6 adults, it sits on 3 levels with a secure car park, intercom and personal elevator.
The views are to die for when you walk into the apartment and onto the huge sandstone entertainment and pool area.
You are greeted by panoramic  views of Noosa, the Pacific ocean, broad reaches of the Noosa river and beyond along Cooloola Beach towards Fraser Island.
Outdoor living is definitely a part of life at Alkira, with a mosaic tiled pool, spa and sauna.
Also a large barbecue, stacks of outdoor tables and seating, with well cared for perimeter gardens and lots of outdoor lighting.
Inside, Alkira does not disappoint either.  Wide  open living spaces, travertine marble floors, high interestingly shaped ceilings and glass walls that slide away to reveal a large outdoor terrace on the same level for dining al fresco.
On this terrace there are remotely operated sun shades (with automatic retraction for when the breeze gets up).
Expensive designer furnishings, art works, flat panel TV screens and sound systems are all designed for relaxation and ease of use with central control panels.
For those who cannot leave work behind there is a fabulous office sitting room complete with a large Italian sofa, beech wood works spaces and Jet Master fire place.
The master bedroom is on a mezzanine on the top floor, separated by glass walls and teak plantation shutters.
Once you take the elevator to the bedroom area you enter a very Japanese space with acres of wardrobes with beech wood and rice paper style sliding screens.
The floors in the master bedroom and kitchen are marine boat decking which give a warm and casual feel.
Of course the bathroom is full of design elements such as a huge sea blue mosaic shower space with a large separate bath edged in Carrera marble.
The stainless steel  hand basin sits in a freeform glass counter top and is flanked by his and her timber storage units.
Everywhere you look in the apartment there are fascinating and surprising architectural features.
A soaring void leads your eyes down to the ground floor from the master bedroom’s floating mezzanine.
Coloured wall niches, circular exterior walls are clad in corrugated iron and resemble a huge water tank.
But everywhere there are huge glass panel windows that provide 360 degree views from all over the apartment.
A large wood and steel stairway makes a statement as it curves down from the first floor to a large open atrium and entrance foyer.
Glass walls allow views of a large tropical palm garden at the front door which is in turn protected by a small private courtyard and black iron entry gate.
We had 6 adults staying here and we found the facilities and space more than adequate for us.
There are 3 bathrooms and a large galley kitchen with restaurant size oven and cook top.   The fridge was a large double door job with ice maker and water dispenser.
We went mid season in October after all the school holidays had finished so paid $3,200 for 6 nights, a great rate per head when divided between 6 people.
If you are looking for something special from your holiday accommodation we can’t rate Alkira highly enough particularly considering the price we paid.
It is such a spectacular apartment that you don’t even need to leave it to have a holiday!
Alkira can be rented from Richardson & Wrench, but do be advised to book well in advance because there does not seem to be an off season for holidays anymore – it is always busy in Noosa.