There’s a quiet coastal revolution going down around Sydney. First, Accor saw a mountain of acclaim when they reworked the old Novotel in Manly. transforming it into a more appealing, beach-friendly MGallery. They did the same over at The Brighton Sydney – again, lifting it from mid-range Novotel status and priming it for the premium MGallery label ahead of its Feb 2026 launch.
Now it’s IHG’s turn. But the hospitality juggernaut hasn’t simply re-flagged an old property for voco Gosford. The flash new 130-room property has been purpose-built to heighten the Central Coast’s premium offerings, shadowing Gosford’s modest skyline with a 28-storey hotel to anchor the new Archibald lifestyle precinct with an upscale offering, perfect for Central Coast weekends away and visiting family.
It’s a fabulous new addition.
I took the easy one-hour drive up to Gosford for the hotel’s recent “family, friends, media and influencers” launch party recently, spending one night in a Standard Room on the fifth floor.
I’m told by numerous locals through the night that this is simply the biggest thing to happen in Gosford in years. I’m not surprised. The Central Coast stop is a popular getaway for a wider weekend away up and down this golden part of Sydney, but it still feels like a remote town. These twin skyscrapers bring some big-city ambition to the locale, and people have clearly dressed up for the occasion.
Me? I forgot my belt.
But that’s of no concern. While the launch party is cleverly progressive, gradually making its way to the hotel’s gorgeously grand rooftop, the dress code isn’t typical of the hotel’s air of relaxed charm. It’s a thongs-and-shorts kind of hotel, perfectly synced up with its beachy vibes, given Ettalong, Pearl and Patonga are only short drives from the property.
Ok, but are the rooms nice?
The rooms are lovely and speak strongly to the coastlines.
The twin-tower hotel sits comfortably in IHG’s upper premium stable. Entry-level rooms aren’t large, but they do the job well with either a private balcony or a private verandah to swell out the living space. A.H. Beard beds are reliably indulgent, while the restrained, coastal colour scheme (think textured blues and greens) helps soften the air. A reasonably sized bathroom features a fast and furious rain shower, while some of the more expensive rooms come with a standalone tub.
There are apartments as well. With a tag of $375 million, the Archibald Precinct is steadfast on switching Gosford’s easy, breezy lifestyle up with some more sophisticated options. As a result, there are multiple dining options, but not all are equal.
What’s the food and drink like?
So-so, I’d need to assess on a proper visit. I just the launch party to go off.
Sports bar Archie’s is large and impressive, with one of the most modern play areas I’ve seen in a pub. It’s big, shouty and a perfect example of modern sports pub design. The food? My Chicken Parmigiana is tough and tremendously dry, but the generous serving of pitch-perfect fries gets no complaints.
Much more impressive is the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar, Astra. The 28th-floor space captures plenty of natural light, offering a showstopping vista across the Central Coast. It’s one of the finest views in all of Sydney right now, complemented by a menu that focuses mainly on the binchotan grill, fresh sashimi and cosmopolitan cocktails.
There’s a pool, right?
You bet. And better yet, it’s right next to breakfast.
Staying on the fifth floor has its benefits. The pool – gorgeous and large with a wide swim-up bar – is almost directly outside, following on from the Mediterranean-chic Saltfire Buffet, which is where a nice farm-fresh breakfast awaits each morning.
Voco Gosford is a major step in Gosford’s new lease on life. ANLAND, which owns the hotel while it’s operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts, and the company’s founder, Andrew Hrsto, have reportedly committed $1 billion to transforming Gosford entirely. He described the hotel as a “stake in the ground” for the city’s “new beginning”. It’s a great start.
I heard the location is great. Is it?
Yes, Voco’s position is in the best possible spot for staycations in Gosford.
As mentioned, you’re only a short drive from the three major beaches that surround Gosford, plus you can get to the hotel straight from the Central Coast Highway. Just turn onto Donnison Street, and there you go. There’s parking around the corner, the train station is about a 10-minute walk that’s slightly uphill, and you’re an easy walk from Polytec Stadium, which is the major sports and entertainment venue on the Central Coast.
voco Gosford
Address: 108 Donnison St, Gosford NSW 2250
Contact: (02) 4327 0700
Rates: From around $239 a night
The writer stayed one night as a guest of voco Gosford.
