We’re crawling towards the end of the year and the only thing getting us through is the thought of Christmas presents, setting that OOO email, and, of course, a romantic summer getaway with our other half.
Whether you’re fanging for a lush hotel stay or something outdoorsy, there are scores of options around NSW for you to spend your hard-earned annual leave.
Here are a bunch of sweet stays for you to indulge in. Happy holidays!
The Best Holiday Stays Across NSW For Couples
Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
I’ve always believed the Central Coast is one of NSW’s most underrated getaways, with Terrigal — its breezy, sun-kissed gem — stealing my heart every time.
Located just over an hour out of Sydney, it’s the perfect destination for when you need distance from the city’s hectic energy but don’t want to travel too far.
It’s got it all, from beautiful beaches and great dining to that relaxed coastal pace you can’t replicate in the city. If this sounds like the vacay for you, might I suggest a stay at the iconic Crowne Plaza?
Nestled in the heart of beautiful Terrigal, the Crowne Plaza offers a seamless blend of coastal charm and modern comfort, making it the perfect base to explore the region’s beaches, dining, and hidden gems.
It’s been a whirlwind of a year, so if you’re looking for a holiday where you pretty much don’t need to leave the hotel, this is the getaway for you.
The Crowne Plaza Terrigal is a sophisticated coastal retreat that combines modern comfort with the relaxed charm of the Central Coast. Perched just steps from Terrigal Beach, the hotel offers stylish rooms and suites with ocean or hinterland views, many featuring private balconies perfect for soaking up the sun or enjoying a quiet sunset.
In terms of dining options, you can enjoy the six-course degustation at the lush Mirabella restaurant or order in-room wine and whisky flights, there’s also beachside cabanas with bottomless drinks, and the Central Coast’s iconic High Tea.
With exceptional amenities, attentive service, and a prime location close to Terrigal’s cafes, shops, and coastal attractions, it’s a destination that balances luxury, convenience, and the quintessential laid-back Aussie beachside vibe.
Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour
If you’re after a romantic city break that feels a little Paris, a little Sydney and a whole lot of luxe, the Sofitel’s Romance Package is genuinely hard to top. Perched above Darling Harbour, the hotel blends French art de vivre with one of the most glittering skylines in the country — the kind of backdrop that does half the wooing for you. It’s the perfect setting for a weekend of sunset strolls, intimate dinners, and the kind of slow, uninterrupted time together you swear you’re always going to make room for… and then never do.
The experience starts the moment you open the door to your room: a bottle of French champagne and chocolates waiting on arrival, setting the tone for a properly indulgent stay. Each morning, you’re treated to in-room breakfast (so you can stay wrapped in robes a little longer), and a 2pm late checkout makes it almost impossible to return to real life too quickly. Between sips of champagne and mid-morning croissants, the city becomes your playground — cosy cafés, galleries, museums and waterfront walks all just outside the lobby (hot tip: the Aquarium is actually SO fun!!).
And when the day winds down? Head back to your Superior Darling Harbour room, sink into the cloud-like Sofitel MyBed™, and watch the city light up from your window. It’s equal parts romantic escape and urban adventure, wrapped up in a stay that makes Sydney feel brand new again.
The Salty Dog, Newport
The Salty Dog is a dreamy little floating hideaway anchored just off Newport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches — basically the perfect spot for couples who want to switch off and sink into something slower.
Designed for two, this wooden boathouse lets you go blissfully off-grid, with nothing but calm water, fresh air and each other for company.
Upstairs, you’ll find a cosy loft bedroom with a queen bed dressed in luxurious flax linen, plus a chill-out nook under a huge skylight where you can read, play cards or simply lie back and listen to the water lapping beneath you.
Downstairs, the open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen space is wrapped in windows, giving you that serene “floating on the bay” feeling from the moment you wake up. There’s also a bathroom and a continental breakfast hamper waiting so you can ease into the day at your own pace.
Outside, you’ve got everything you need for a summer of simple pleasures — a ladder straight into the water, a dinghy for little adventures, and a hot-and-cold outdoor shower to rinse off after a swim.
It’s intimate, peaceful and the kind of place that makes reconnecting feel completely effortless.
Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay
Feel like camping but not keen on roughing it? Might I suggest a jaunt down to Jervis Bay to enjoy the goodness of glamping at Paperbark Camp?
A stunning 2.5 hour drive from Sydney — feat. lots of rolling green hills, spotted cows and wide-open space — will take you to the gorgeous glamping site, where each tent comes complete with semi-outdoor baths, plush robes, candlelit evenings, and that delicious fantasy-novel energy that makes a weekend away feel a little magical.
Paperbark nails the balance between being immersed in nature and still having every hotel-level convenience you’d ever want.
What’s wild is how off-grid it feels, despite being minutes from towns packed with great things to eat and do. Jervis Bay really does romance, relaxation and restaurant-hopping better than almost anywhere else — and Paperbark Camp puts you right at the centre of it.
Hydro Majestic Hotel, Blue Mountains
If you’re looking for a romantic summer escape that feels worlds away without actually going far, the Hydro Majestic is your go-to. Perched above the Megalong Valley in Medlow Bath, this iconic Blue Mountains stay blends old-world glamour with the kind of dramatic scenery that basically does half the romancing for you.
The property is steeped in history — all sweeping corridors, vintage charm and grand dining rooms — yet still delivers the comfort and polish you want from a modern weekend away.
Guests can slip into a weekend filled with spa treatments, long lunches, and the kind of high tea that’s basically a rite of passage in the Mountains. Add in historic tours and some of the most spectacular sunrise and sunset vantage points in NSW, and you’ve got a getaway that’s equal parts indulgence, scenery and slow, romantic unwinding.
Getting there is part of the charm, too. You can jump on a train to Medlow Bath and wander across the new overpass straight into the hotel, where cocktails, cosy corners and panoramic valley views are waiting.
Whether you’re lingering over a long lunch, exploring the heritage-filled hallways, or settling in for a full weekend retreat, the Hydro Majestic sets the perfect backdrop for a loved-up summer getaway.
The writer stayed at Crowne Plaza, Terrigal as a guest.
The post NSW’s Most Lush Summer Couple Escapes, From Bougie Beach Hotels To Gorgeous Glamping appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
