Is Crowne Plaza Terrigal still the suburb's best hotel? We find out

Crowne Plaza Terrigal offers a family-friendly beachside escape in perfect style. Here’s everything to know before you book your stay.

Terrigal is the perfect setting for a laid-back flop-and-drop getaway. The beach is long, the waves are gentle, the stores are cute and the food offerings are plentiful. Right in the middle of the action, sits the striking, 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Terrigal . Its understated elegance embraces and elevates the relaxed beachside feel, and the staff welcomes guests with warm and genuine smiles.

Perfect for families looking for some bonding time (and plenty of activities to keep young ones occupied), couples looking for a romantic getaway, or groups of friends wanting to hit the bars.

bedroom view at Crowne Plaza Terrigal — Inside or out, the view is unbeatable. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Location

The location of Crowne Plaza Terrigal really is its shining star. Right next to the heart of Terrigal on New South Wales’ Central Coast, you can barely even call the few steps it takes to reach the beach, or the many restaurants and cafes of this suburb, a walk. Not that you can’t turn it into a beautiful coastal walk if you choose to walk further on to the famous Skillion cliff in one direction, or along the water to Wamberal on the other.

aerial shot of Crowne plaza terrigal beach — Flop-and-drop with a Crowne Plaza Terrigal getaway.

As for Terrigal itself, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, it’s a suburb that has really been booming in recent years. It’s become one of the happening places to visit on the Coast for seaside dining and/or drinks. You’ll find options that are as casual or as fine dining as you wish your occasion to be with pubs and cafes right next to bars and restaurants.

The beach here tends to be a calmer one, making it good for swimming. Plus there’s an ocean pool and heaps of rocks at the end of the sand for kids to play around.

view from inside a wave on terrigal beach — Take a dive into the calm waters of Terrigal Beach. (Image: Destination Central Coast)

Style and character

Elevated but easy, breezy beach vibes are definitely the order of the day here. With bright, crisp whites trimmed with marble, gold and wood. Crowne Plaza Terrigal has been a local icon for decades, but it still feels fresh and modern, especially once you step inside. The lobby feels quite grand, with a central spiral staircase and a very high roof.

We’ve caught them on a very busy weekend, the first weekend that really feels like summer. So service is a little on the slow side. Despite that, it’s also some of the friendliest service you’ll ever experience.

pacific king room at Crowne Plaza Terrigal — Relax into a colour scheme accentuating breezy beach vibes.

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Facilities

The pool here is amazing, especially for anyone who has ever wished to swim at the beach without dealing with all the sand. It looks out to the ocean and is just elevated enough that you can’t see the

There’s a gym, multiple in-house restaurants, a kids play room and special school holiday kids programs.

pool at Crowne Plaza Terrigal — Watch the beach as you relax by the hotel pool. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Rooms

Crowne Plaza Terrigal has 199 guest rooms and suites, all with balconies overlooking the outdoor heated swimming pool and outwards to the beach.

We stayed in the large Pacific Suite, complete with a king-sized bedroom, entrance hall, spacious dining and lounge room and a large wrap-around balcony, perfect for catching the sunrise in the morning and enjoying sundowners in the afternoon. The bathroom alone is the size of a small Sydney studio. It screams minimalist elegance, with wide floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the panoramic view and the light.

living room in the pacific king suit Crowne Plaza Terrigal — Spread out in the Pacific Suite.

Food and drink

There are several restaurant and in-room dining options here. Meribella is the upscale offering, with a charming bar attached for a pre-dinner cocktail and a curated degustation menu available. If you do book, add the wine pairing – the passionate sommelier makes it fun and keeps the wine selection unique and interesting. In the morning, Meribella becomes the sight of a buffet breakfast for guests.

meribella dishes at Crowne Plaza Terrigal — Feast on a tasty, curated degustation menu. (Image: Kitti Gould)

Downstairs, Terrigal Beach House offers a fun and funky pub with great views. Perfect for a drink or pub grub. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your room, there’s an extensive in-room dining menu, or wander down to the pool and order a poolside menu at The Deck.

To be completely honest, the food is absolutely top-notch, but the service was incredibly slow at every venue and even when ordering in-room dining ahead of time. The good news is, that you’re right next door to Terrigal’s incredibly diverse food offerings and range of bars to suit your vibe – whether you’re ordering a pizza to take back to your room or enjoying a modern fine dining experience.

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Does Crowne Plaza Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All Crowne Plaza Sydney levels are accessed via a lift, making rooms and restaurants easily accessible.

Is Crowne Plaza Sydney family-friendly?

Absolutely. Families with young kids won’t be alone among the guests here. The pool area includes a smaller paddle pool, there’s a kid’s playroom with games like foosball and special school holiday kids programs. Rooms are spacious with plenty of room for families, and the breakfast buffet caters to even fussy eaters.

Details

Address: Pine Tree Ln, Terrigal NSW

Best for: Families and couples

Price: From $260

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Crowne Plaza Terrigal: The perfect seaside escape

Crowne Plaza Terrigal offers a family-friendly beachside escape in perfect style. Here’s everything to know before you book your stay.

Location

Style and character

Facilities

Rooms

Food and drink

Does Crowne Plaza Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

Is Crowne Plaza Sydney family-friendly?

Details

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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.