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We’ve been going to Terrigal all our lives. It’s only a twenty minute drive from the town we grew up in.
I would visit with my family as a young child, and once I hit 18 I would frequently visit the beer garden at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal on a Thursday night. Back then we called it Peppers and I’m still trapped in that habit. (That is really showing my age now as well.)
Our visits here have always been just day or night trips. We never get tired of visiting Terrigal Beach, we believe it is one of those off-the-beaten-path experiences in Australia that everyone wishes they have when they travel.
It has a very local feel, beautiful beaches, boutique shopping, fantastic restaurants and gorgeous scenery.
We recently stayed at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal for the weekend with our family. It has always been on my bucket list to stay here. The Crowne Plaza is the focal point of Terrigal and I think it enhances the experience of visiting this small coastal town only an hour north of Sydney.
The grandeur of its pink building stands out like a palace on the edge of the beach and looms into view from whatever direction you arrive.
See for yourself
10 reasons to stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
1. Florida Beach Bar and Terrace – The Beer Garden
I feel safe enough to say the Crowne Plaza Terrigal has one of the best beer gardens in Australia.
You can enjoy a delicious meal and a drink under the summer sun without staying at the hotel, but trust me, as someone who used to do it every week, trying to get a taxi home afterwards is a nightmare. There’s nothing better than being able to walk up a flight of stairs and crash into bed.
The beer garden has the best ocean views across Terrigal Beach and The Haven, delicious food and informal dining, a vibrant atmosphere, and live music from Thursday to Sunday.
2. The pool area
The beach is on your doorstep, but sometimes it’s just nice to chill around a pool on a sunbed with a cocktail and a good book. And if you have kids like us you can rest up and watch while they enjoy themselves for hours.
The pool area also has beautiful views of the ocean and you can order food and drinks from the Lord Ashley Bar attached.
3. Lord Ashley Lounge
This was the place of class that we would sometimes visit late at night for a cocktail. We enjoy going here now with the girls for an afternoon coffee with extraordinary views of the beach.
Every Friday, live Brazilian jazz is played. They have a wide selection of local and imported beers, wines and cocktails, and a bar menu.
4. Buffet Breakfasts at Sea Salt
I fell in love with the buffet breakfast when we stayed at the Crowne Plaza in the Hunter Valley. This one was just as good.
The buffet has every breakfast choice you could ever want: cereals, fruit, pastries, hot food, create your own omelets, smoothies and my very favourite unlimited espresso coffees and make your own juices.
It has the perfect ocean views to start your morning and get you excited about your day exploring Terrigal.
Sea Salt turns into the hotel’s signature restaurant of an evening serving a-la-carte menu including a range of succulent seafood and premium cuts of meat.
5. Ocean view rooms
The majority of the rooms at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal face out to the Ocean.
Sit on your balcony and watch the sun rise while you are serenaded by the cacophony of the lorikeets in the Norfolk pines that border the beach promenade.
6. Close proximity to everywhere
The Crowne Plaza is within walking distance to everything in Terrigal. It is also within short driving distance to nearby surfing beaches, shopping centres and movie theatres and local Central Coast attractions.
7. Comfortable and spacious rooms
The rooms are comfortable, spacious and functional. There is a wide selection of hotel rooms and suites to choose from depending on your needs.
There’s space to sleep, space to work, and space to chill out and watch your FOX TV. (oh and space to dance too, like Craig and Kalyra in this video)
8. Tea Tree Spa
While we didn’t try out the Tea Tree Spa ourselves, I’m sure with its views and wide selection of pampering and relaxation treatments it’s a winner for any stay here in Terrigal. You don’t need to convince me much to take a break for an it’s-all-about-me-for-once session.
9. Health and Fitness Club
Not only do they have an extensive range of gym equipment, but also complimentary fitness classes that include zumba, yoga, and aqua aerobics.
You could even show off your Brazilian Zumba moves in the Lord Ashley Lounge to the live Brazilian jazz.
10. Perfect weekend getaway spot
Whether it is for a girls’ weekend, a romantic escape, a family recharge, or boy’s golfing weekend, the Crowne Plaza is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
It is only an hour and a half from Sydney and Newcastle and is perfect for even local Central Coasties like us to escape to for the weekend. We are only 20 minutes down the road and still love coming here.
Things to do in Terrigal while staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
- Grab some wine, cheese and crackers and walk over to the Haven viewing point. Look back over Terrigal as you watch it catch fire during a magnificent sunset.
- Walk around to Terrigal lagoon, go stand up paddle boarding or paddle boat riding while you’re there.
- Roll down the skillion. At least walk up it for the views.
- Do a little shopping in one of the boutique stores that line the street.
- Have a coffee or lunch in any one of the numerous cafes in Terrigal.
Seriously, just relax and enjoy the simple things like beach walks, ocean swims, dripping ice creams in the hot summer sun, and special moments shared with your loved ones.
That is what Terrigal is about.
Read more things to do on the Central Coast
[ybox_title]The Facts[/ybox_title]
Book: The Crowne Plaza Hotel Terrigal
Getting There:
From Sydney – take the F3 Freeway north out of the city. Journey time approx 90 minutes.
From Newcastle/Hunter Valley – take the F3 Freeway south. Journey time approx 75 minutes.
Take the Gosford exit and follow the signs to Terrigal Beach.
By Train: Two trains depart from Sydney Central station and Newcastle station every hour. Gosford station is the most convenient stop to access Crowne Plaza Terrigal. Journey time approx 1hr 20 mins from Sydney or Newcastle.
Tripadvisor: Read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor
Have you stayed at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal?
We stayed as guests of The Crowne Plaza
