While nothing compares to traveling afar and exploring new places, there’s something to be said about staycations, staying near the familiar haunts of home, while feeling relaxed and on holiday.
With the resort positioned to hug around the large lagoon style pool, with two slides and a spa, it’s surrounded by lush greenery and plenty of deck chairs for chilling out and soaking up the Gold Coast sun.
We recently took a mid-week break just a few minutes from home, at the Oaks Calypso which is right on the NSW/QLD border in Coolangatta. It’s the perfect spot to stay, being right on one of the best beaches in Australia, but also right on the eat street of the southern Gold Coast, Griffith Street.
We checked into our room, which happened to be two inter-connecting apartments, with a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a laundry, a living room and dining area, as well as two balconies. It was beautifully decked out, and the perfect spot to do a little work, and then play UNO together at night after dinner out.
The girls made so much use of it and loved racing each other down the slides. Oaks Calypso Plaza Suites also has a cafe on the pool level, with cocktails and coffees, as well as snacks, and a games room on the ground floor, to keep the kids busy, and happy.
How to stay and save at Oaks Calypso
Oaks Hotels has released a great promotion that is perfect for the planners, and the organisers, and for anyone needing a getaway (staycation or otherwise). Book direct for your future stay with Oaks Hotels, and make sure you book at least 14 days in advance), and you save 20%. This means that you can stay from $126 a night.
Five family-friendly things to do in Coolangatta
Take a dip. Whether you spend your days hanging out in the resort pool, or heading over to catch a wave at the beach – or a mix of both, it seems like the right thing to do is to swim while visiting, after all it is paradise.
Grab a pizza at Francs Jnr. A super popular spot, the team at Francs Jnr do the most amazing pizzas, including a deep dish just like you’d find in the States. You can’t book, and they don’t take phone orders, but that’s the beauty of staying at the Oaks Calypso, you’re right across the road and can pop over, order your dinner, and then browse the shops while you wait for it to cook.
Go Italian at Radici. Local friends have been telling us for years to eat at Radici and we hadn’t made our way, until our Staycation. One bit into our entree and we had immediate regrets: What had we been waiting for? With authentic Italian flavours, a cosy restaurant set-up, and the convenient location of being right under the Oaks Calypso, it’s a must-do when staying in Coolangatta.
Take a walk to Froggy’s Beach. Walking straight out of Oaks Calypso and across to the beach, there’s a convenient path that takes you all the way around the coast, past the famous Snapper Rocks and around to Froggy’s Beach. Stop a while and watch the surfers, or head up the D’Bah Headlands, and take in the endless view. During winter look for whales, and in summer, keep an eye out for dolphins and pro-surfers!
Play & swim at Jack Evans Harbour. Across the road, and the invisible border, and back into New South Wales, you’ll find a brand new park, and skate park, as well as a family-friendly lagoon style swim spot, perfect for a quick kayak or paddleboard.
We stayed as guests of Oaks Hotels. All opinions are my own.
