Sitting by the huge picture windows overlooking the beach as I nurse my long black, I watch the kids helping themselves at the pancake machine. They love that machine!
There’s something wonderfully luxurious about a breakfast buffet. Where you can have omelettes cooked to order, the kids can try new things (or stick with old favourites!) and you don’t need to lift a finger!
It’s these touches of family-friendly luxury that make a weekend away at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal so enjoyable.
View from our breakfast table at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
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Location – Central Coast NSW
At only 90min north of the centre of Sydney and across the road from beautiful Terrigal Beach, it is an easy drive to this 4 1/2 star hotel. It is conveniently located in the centre of Terrigal, so park your car under the hotel and leave it there for the weekend!
You’ve got the beach across the road, plenty of cafes and shops (we loved the sushi train at Sushi Canape!) and the adventure-laden walk up to The Skillion headland. Enjoy the views from the lookout, the Aboriginal paintings along the way and the rock scrambling at the base.
Terrigal Beach
Rock scrambling at the base of The Skillion headland
Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Facilities
You’ll find plenty to keep everyone happy even without leaving the hotel!
The outdoor pool is heated to 28°c, so the kids were in even on cool days. But if the pool’s not warm enough for you, the spa is heaven! Even I got in there! Relax in the warm bubbles as you enjoy the view over the pool and out to the ocean.
VERY nice!
Pool at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Give table tennis a go in the games room, play giant Connect 4 on the terrace, choose a kids movie to watch in your room (all the Disney/Nickolodeon type channels are there too) or relax on your balcony with a glass of wine and a magazine.
View from our balcony over the terrace, with giant chess, checkers and connect 4
Room
The hotel-style rooms are smart and comfortable. The kids will get a kick out of the dressing gowns and slippers in the wardrobe!
Our room at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Hamish making himself at home
View from our balcony
Need a hotel? Find plenty more hotel reviews here.
Kids’ favourites
Very Important Kids (VIK) and Kids Zone
We booked a Family Getaway package for our weekend away, which I HIGHLY recommend. Both because it is excellent value, but also because it makes your kids feel like superstars!
There’s a special kids’ check in desk, where staff welcome them with Very Important Kids tags and a Beach Fun Pack. The kids thought they ruled the roost wearing those tags!
The Family Getaway Package Includes:
- Accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children
- Full buffet breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children
- Children dine free from children’s menu with a paying adult
- One Terrigal Beach fun pack – includes frisbee, kite, bucket and spade
- Unlimited in-house kids’ movies
- Secure parking for 1 car
- Complimentary WiFi
Kids at check in with their VIK passes and Beach fun pack
The kids also loved the Kids Zone – the kids club which operates during school holidays. Having enthusiastic staff entertaining them with activities like Xbox, craft, games, disco, movies and cupcake decorating, meant hubster and I could enjoy cocktails and a fancy dinner.
Room service and a movie
The kids and I were without hubster for the first couple of days and boy were we exhausted by the first evening!
After packing, driving and the afternoon on the beach, I was thankful for room service dinner and free kids movies. And the kids thought it was the lap of luxury!
Spag bol while watching Shaun the Sheep. And even dessert ready and waiting!
Pool and spa
There’s not much my kids like more than playing in water on holiday, so it was no surprise that pool time was one of their favourite things!
Buffet breakfast
Between feeling grown up serving themselves and having foods they rarely get at home, breakfast time was a highlight for the kids (and the adults!). We liked to get there early (the kids were awake early of course!) and make ourselves thoroughly at home over a leisurely breakfast.
Miss Independent
Mastering the pancake machine
Such a lovely setting to start the day
Parents’ favourites
Service
Everyone we came across was so friendly and helpful! From the waitresses offering the kids free activity packs at breakfast, to the housekeeping staff for whom nothing was too much trouble.
Good service goes such a long way to making a hotel stay enjoyable don’t you think?
Lord Ashley Lounge
Once hubster joined us on the last night of our stay, I was very happy to drop the kids off at Kids Zone and enjoy a cocktail in this stylish haven.
Lord Ashley Lounge at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Seasalt restaurant
While kids are very welcome here, a quiet romantic dinner for two is a wonderful thing. The food, service and views are top quality, and we thoroughly enjoyed our Rib Eye, Rack of Lamb and Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie.
Lovely, grown up and so relaxing.
Divinely delicious Rack of Lamb and Rib Eye at Seasalt restaurant
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Because you can never have too much chocolate!
Last morning breakfast selfie
Bye Crowne Plaza Terrigal! We’ll miss you and your breakfast buffet!
Thank you to Crown Plaza Terrigal for making our stay extra special with complimentary Kids Zone and cocktails.
Find more information about the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Family Getaway package here.
Have you been to the NSW Central Coast?
Where’s your favourite weekend getaway?
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