Castaways Hotel at Mission Beach opened in 1984-5. This simple building with strong repetitive forms became a symbolic place within the Mission Beach community. The hotel suffered minor amendments during this time; however the resort experience lagged behind, along with the dated building form within this stunning location.

The very limited service, lack of physical relationship with the beachfront and lack of relationship with members of the community became key elements to overcome upon the arrival of new owners.

The creation of the revitalised resort experience commenced with a strong engagement between the building and the foreshore parklands. Activities from arrival, dining, relaxing, and swimming are all linked intrinsically to the spectacular beachfront and island views. The design emphasises pedestrian linkages between the surrounding streets, the esplanade and the resort. The use of vertical timber panels and screens rhythmically complement the existing strong gabled roof form providing a richly articulated and visually dynamic exterior towards the beachfront and parklands and a comfortable scale for pedestrians. Multiple outdoor timber decking areas surround the two new pools, the lap pool promoting active recreation, and the smaller pool offering more relaxed ambience adjacent the beverage bar. The decking areas offer a range of spatial and privacy experiences, to suit the varied taste of guests. Informal areas have been created using visually permeable timber screens to provide a sense of privacy whilst allowing the individual to participate in the surrounding activities, i.e. swimming, sun bathing, dining or beverages by the bar.

The internal spaces are configured to accommodate reception-lobby seating space, beverage bar, display kitchen, lounge areas and bathrooms. The interior design is visually stimulating, the simple palette of materials linking both interior spaces and outdoor areas promoting through breezes, natural light, visual lines and vistas.

Blackbutt timber dominates throughout and finished with respect to its location, transitioning from naturally weathered at the building edges, stained outdoor elements and polished internally.

Timber elements are enhanced with bluestone mosaic tiles and complementary coloured veneers and paint. The black tiled bathrooms providing a welcome respite from the tropical glare.

The spa facilities include private treatment rooms open to the beach and specialist treatment rooms within a quaint beachside cottage, including vichy shower.

The hotel is complemented by a small conference facility, basically a beach shack, with an expanded verandah. This facility screams Mission Beach – open to the beach, open to the climate, sheltered from sun and rain and receiving sea breeze. The facility is almost fully booked, complementing the hotel room occupancy.

A further guest experience extended to a day spa, again a conversion of a beach shack into a tranquil and visually stimulating beach side experience, on the deck or under a vichy shower.