This property is clearly the highest quality hotel in the region, and the price often reflects that.
However, you get a largest and extremely comfortable room with a balcony to the sea and you are directly across the street from the beach with uninterrupted views.
Staff who have been there a while always remember me, which is nice.
The hotel has restaurants, bars, high-quality spa services, pools, etc, and the surrounds of downtown Terrigal offer a multitude of restaurants, night spots, gift stores, and the beach.
I have usually left a very favourable review, though last time I was there (more than a year ago), I was disappointed that the extensive and high-quality full-buffet breakfast was not what it used to be. This time, however, the breakfast had returned to its full glory, and I was very happy sitting with my picture-window sea view, with my made-to-order coffee, and a full array of cooked food, pastries, fruit, etc.
The Central Coast doesn't have enough hotels, and doesn't have anything else at the level of Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, so if you can afford to and have a vehicle to get around, book here.