Pining For Peace
Sun Herald
Saturday September 14, 1996
MILES of beaches lined with Norfolk pines, fish and chips shops aplenty and a relaxed atmosphere characterise the central coast.
The five-star Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza at Terrigal just makes it all that more enjoyable.
The large apricot-coloured building dominates the beachfront and while you may or may not not like the architecture, its cafe, restaurants, accommodation and nightclub add pizzazz to the town.
LOCATION
MOST hotel rooms have ocean views, some a bit better than others.
Our balcony got the sun most of the day and the sound of waves across the road was very soothing after inner-city buzz.
Terrigal is a short drive from Bouddi National Park, with a fairly easy half-hour walk down to pretty Maitland Bay.
Available nearby is golf, tennis, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, horse riding, bowling, cycling plus art and craft galleries.
LODGING
THE 180-plus rooms of the Holiday Inn are decorated in colonial cottage furnishings in blues and muted yellow, which are quite pleasant.
Our room had two double beds (the rooms with just a queen-sized bed were booked out) and a large bathroom with a deep bath.
Most rooms have balconies.
We swam in the heated pool then sipped cocktails in the adjacent lounge and bar area surrounded by potted palms and waiters in white jackets ... all very Casablanca.
There are three restaurants to choose from: the pricy but more stylish La Mer, the Norfolk Brasserie and buffet restaurant The Conservatory.
However, none is cheap and those on a tight budget might do better to eat out at nearby cafes.
The La Mer, done out in navy and gold, charges from $19 to $32 a main course. These included ocean trout with scallops, champagne and chive sauce. And how do Yamba prawns with blackbean and basil oil sound as an entree? The restaurant won the 1996 international Salon Culinaire and Restaurant of Champions competition.
The more informal, breezy Norfolk Brasserie charges $15 to $26 a main course.
The Conservatory, with 180degree views through the pines to the sea, serves buffet breakfasts every morning, seafood buffet dinner on Saturday night and Sunday lunch for $39.50 a head. Seasonal lunch buffet from Monday to Saturday costs $20 a head.
For those keen to club it, the Key Largo nightclub is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 3am, costing $10 for the public and $5 for guests.
Or you could leave the dancing pumps under the bed and sweat it out in the hotel's health club.
The hotel also has a supervised child activity centre.
LOWDOWN
Address: Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Terrigal, at Pine Tree Lane Terrigal 2260.
Bookings: Ph 1800 024 966. Book about a month in advance for weekends. Book now for Christmas holidays.
Value for money:
Driving time: 1< hours Sydney, 2< hours from Wollongong, one hour from Newcastle.
Prices: Midweek from $160 per room, Friday and Saturday from $230 per room only and $245 with breakfast for two. Two night weekend package is $465 including room, buffet breakfast for two adults and two children under 12, champagne and valet parking. (From October 1 rates rise to $180 midweek and $235 weekend). Rooms with ocean views cost $15 more than standard rooms.
Wheelchair access: Yes.
Children: Free activities during school holidays.
Good points: Beautiful setting, great walks, easy drive from Sydney.
Bad points: Some traffic noise.
Ratings: excellent; good; average; fair; bad.
© 1996 Sun Herald
