Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort: This is how rock stars relax

In the days of yore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, if you said "cabana", you'd be referring to a slice of sausage (spelled with a K) served on a toothpick with a piece of tinned pineapple and a cube of cheese.

Heading into the summer of 2017/18, there's a new cabana in town. Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort has introduced a concept in pool lounging that's newish to Australia, but a coveted feature of resorts in Europe, the US and other upmarket holiday spots around the globe.

The cabanas are rentable private spaces lining the Hastings Street – and more adult – end of the hotel's sizeable pool area.

You can relax like a rock star in a large, wood-floored area with a big L-shaped sofa with low table inside, two glam white extra-comfy day beds to the pool frontage and communal bench and bar stools overlooking the street, for people-watching while you perhaps eat lunch.

The space can be as private or as open as you like: Luxoflex automatic blinds divide each of the five cabanas (so you can book more than one and join them up), another blind to the rear closets you away from neighbours across the street (though shady trees already afford privacy) and, if you really are a rock star, sheer curtains to the pool frontage can be drawn, secreting you away from other hotel guests.

Overhead, there's opaque shade, making it a perfect spot to sip cocktails chosen from an iPad full of menu options – including a long list of champagnes and fresh eats – and served by your butler.

Later, slip inside for a gin at Sofitel Noosa's refocused Riviera Bar, followed by dinner at its fabulous Noosa Beach House by Peter Kuruvita.