“It used to be a cost-effective holiday destination,” one visitor complained. “Not so much anymore.”
For anyone who has ever considered a family holiday in South East Queensland, there’s a good chance that one particular place has popped up time and time again.
Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, located in South East Queensland’s Moreton Bay region, has become a hot topic among the Aussie travelling community for years for the extremely high demand of its powered campsites in popular holiday periods.
Recently, however, it was the Resort’s expansion of luxury accommodation offerings that has thrown the internet into a spin.
One night will set you back an average of $999
Alongside its high-end glamping suites and cabins, Sandstone Point has now added three bedroom overwater villas.
The company’s website says each of the six villas can sleep six people, are fully air-conditioned, contain two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining and living room, indoor fireplace, BBQ, heated plunge pool, two deck spaces and many more things.
What makes these different from any other kind of accommodation in the area is that they are perched on a chemical-free, three-metre-deep swimming hole that even has real fish. Each villa comes with its own paddle board and ladder, so you can dip into the water straight from your deck. Fancy!
Even before they were built, holiday-makers got excited – so much so that it was reported more than 23,000 people signed up for the booking waitlist.
That was, however, before the property dropped one very important detail: the price.
To stay in the luxury overwater villas for just one night, it will set you back an average of $999.
Yes, that’s a thousand bucks. And yes, you’re still in what is essentially a caravan park – albeit a very posh one with resort-style facilities that include three heated pools, a water park and swim-up bar.
To say the price came as a rude shock to many would be an understatement.
Not “family-friendly”
On the Resort’s Facebook page, some followers couldn’t help but express their disappointment in the offered tariffs, deeming it not “family-friendly”.
“Can fly to Bali for 7 nights for two people!!” Melissa wrote.
“Sandstone used to be a cost-effective holiday destination, not so much anymore,” Michael added.
One traveller, Alisa, tried to book her family in for a stay but was shocked the rate she was quoted was more than $999.
“Yesterday they had them up for $1500 a night! Either way, it’s wild!” she posted. The mum told Kidspot she instead booked her family on an overseas holiday.
“I booked a week in Vanuatu at a resort. The total price, including flights, meals and activities was the same as a 3-day stay at the overwater villas at Sandstone Point.”
Another mum was a fan of the Resort but has since chosen other options for budget reasons.
“I’ve stayed at Sandstone Point once and loved it but when deciding where to go for our last school hols, thought about SP but ended up doing a cruise to the Pacific Islands for 7 nights in a balcony room as it was cheaper than staying there. All meals included and had $400 on-board credit. Didn’t spend a cent. Pretty sad ‘cause it’s an awesome place.”
Another fan of the Resort also found the rate to be a whopping $1500 per night at her chosen time and was further taken aback to discover there was a four-night minimum.
“Was definitely disappointed on the pricing,” they wrote.
“We were looking at five nights Sept 2024 and it was $1500 per night. Unfortunately way out of our budget. I thought maybe we could do just a night or two but it had a four-night minimum for our dates.”
“You only live once, right?”
Others, however, considered the price reasonable for the luxury facilities on offer, and some managed to source a rate below $999 at off-peak times.
“We are staying here right now for three nights over Xmas, upgraded from our original villa booking,” one guest commented. “First ever guests to check in and I can vouch that these overwater villas are incredible and worth every cent! Plenty of room for our family of five, our children’s ages range from eight-23yrs and they’re all loving it! There’s complete privacy from the other villas and the rest of the resort with the lagoon only available to the 6 villas. The Lagoon is gorgeous with waterfalls making it so serene. A piece of paradise. If I could share a pic of me enjoying my morning coffee on one of the comfy daybeds I would!”
“Absolutely stunning villas,” another gushed. “The stylist of these and this park should be very proud. The whole park is the best we’ve ever stayed at.”
“We booked for our anniversary,” another wrote. “We’re going in May. It was $1600 for two nights. It’s a bit expensive but you only live once, right?”
Kidspot has contacted the Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, and a spokeswoman has said rates for overwater villas begin at $799 per night and can reach a maximum of $1199 per night.
“Based on the valuable feedback from our recent guests, it’s evident that our prices are fair and justified,” she said.
“We understand that our overwater villas may not be a fit for everyone … We strive to cater to various preferences and needs. These luxurious villas are crafted for those seeking the epitome of a high-end escape.”
As for when to nab a deal, the spokeswoman said the property’s most budget-friendly period was “midweek from May to August.’”
This article originally appeared on Kidspot and has been republished with permission