Luxury hotel review on the central coast
HOTEL REVIEW: Voco, Gosford
By Bronwen Gora
The revitalisation of NSW’s Central Coast and the Gosford CBD has been quietly chugging along for some time now, steady rather than spectacular. But this month’s opening of a premium Voco hotel in Gosford’s first skyscrapers feels like the moment the engine finally changed gears. It is the region’s most decisive game changer to date, effectively ushering in a new era for the city an hour north of Sydney that has long promised more than it delivered.
Inside story of Voco
The 130-room Voco is the Central Coast’s first new hotel in 15 years, and it arrives as exactly the kind of grown-up accommodation the region has been waiting for. Sophisticated without being stiff, stylish without being showy, and relaxed enough to suggest it understands where it is. The hotel sits within Gosford’s new $375 million Archibald Precinct, a twin-tower development housing the hotel alongside 232 apartments, delivered by Sydney developer ALAND in partnership with IHG Hotels and Resorts.
ALAND founder Andrew Hrsto, who is embarking on up to $1 billion worth of developments in and around Gosford, describes the Archibald as driving “a stake in the ground” for the city’s “new beginning”. Standing in the lobby, watching the comings and goings, it is hard to argue with him.
Dining is a major focus. No fewer than six venues cater to just about every appetite, with menus overseen by Michelin-trained celebrity chef Maxime Chasseriaud. Facilities include an attractive outdoor pool complete with swim-up bar, a gym, and an on-site spa set to open early next year. This is not a hotel that expects guests to amuse themselves elsewhere.
Sky high on the Central Coast
Crowning the building is its most impressive feature and likely its greatest drawcard, the rooftop bar Astra. Spanning three sides of Level 28, the space is unexpectedly generous, with floor-to-ceiling windows delivering panoramic views across Gosford and Brisbane Water, stretching all the way to Pittwater and Palm Beach.
Astra is cleverly zoned. A long, well-stocked bar anchors one side, fronted by rows of plush pink velvet armchairs. At the far end sits an entertainment area with stage and dance floor, while the opposite side is devoted to elegant high tables and window seats that feel purpose-built for sunset cocktails and long conversations that were meant to be brief.
Location, location
Voco’s position is unapologetically central. Drivers can exit the Central Coast Highway and turn directly onto Donnison Street, which leads straight to the hotel’s front door, with parking conveniently located around the corner. The train station is a ten-minute walk away, and the hotel is within easy strolling distance of Polytec Stadium, home to the Central Coast Mariners and host to major sporting events, NRL games and concerts. The waterfront precinct along Brisbane Water is also close at hand, making the hotel equally appealing to leisure travellers and event-goers.
Spacious interiors
Our premium balcony room is impressively spacious, with no sense of corners being cut. The king bed, by Australian manufacturer A.H. Beard, is indulgently comfortable, positioned opposite a television screen large enough to double as a small home cinema. The colour palette is calm and coastal, all taupes, muted blues and greens, while the bespoke furnishings favour soft curves and rounded edges, from the timber minibar cabinet to the circular wall decor, armchair, chaise lounge and coffee table.
Tea and coffee facilities are thoughtfully included, and refillable water bottles sit on the bedside tables, with filling stations available on every level. Our room faces the neighbouring residential tower, but a lean over the balcony reveals sweeping views across Gosford and Brisbane Water to the hills beyond.
The bathroom is a particular highlight. A large backlit circular mirror sits alongside an extendable makeup mirror above a duck-blue vanity with generous basin and gold tapware. Contrasting tiles add visual interest, while Apotheke toiletries are provided in refillable pump packs at the sink and in the roomy shower.
Eating, drinking and more
Dining options are deliberately varied. At the top, Astra serves Japanese-inspired dishes including sashimi and yakitori from a menu created by Michelin-trained executive chef Maxime Chasseriaud.
Saltfire Buffet on Level 5 is a vast, light-filled space with a bar on one side and a sprawling restaurant area on the other. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the breakfast buffet comfortably exceeds expectations, with well-executed classics rather than overreach. Windows behind the bar open directly onto the pool, where guests can indulge in the island-style novelty of a swim-up cocktail while perched on submerged stools.
The bigger picture
Voco Gosford does more than add a hotel to the Central Coast. It changes the way the city sees itself. This is a property that assumes confidence, ambition and a future worth investing in. For visitors, it offers a polished, self-contained base that finally matches the region’s natural appeal. For locals, it signals that Gosford is no longer waiting to be discovered. It has arrived, keys in hand, and it is very much open for business.
