Terrigal, NSW, Australia

There’s so much to do at the Star of the Sea Terrigal on the Central Coast of New South Wales that the only problem is squeezing it all in.

It’s a sticky NSW day and, upon walking into our accommodation, we’re immediately faced with a dilemma – which glorious body of water do we jump into first?

I’ve come to the luxury Star of the Sea resort with a girlfriend, and we’re booked into a three-bedroom Premier Ocean View unit – and frankly, the description doesn’t do it justice. I’m mesmerised by the vast expanse of aquamarine ocean twinkling at me from the huge balcony and lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The five-star resort, just an hour-and-a-half drive north of Sydney, is perched atop headland overlooking gorgeous Terrigal Beach. While the ocean is calling us, we’re yet to fully check out our digs.

The kitchen is clean and spacious, and kitted out with everything you could need for a self-contained stay. But we didn’t come here to cook; there are so many great restaurants in Terrigal (a five-minute stroll away), as well the on-site Star Café & Bar, which sits adjacent to the outdoor pool with a water slide. While the cafe is open from 8am to 5pm, it serves up fresh meals and cocktails that can be delivered to your room at other times, including dinner.

The 52-unit complex boasts three- and four-bedroom apartments, and a multitude of on-site facilities; there is an indoor pool, a gym, steam room, tennis and squash courts, snooker room, barbecue area and kids’ playground.

We’re delighted with the high-end furniture and finishes in our unit. It’s grand and yet homely, with soft contemporary couches, a generous dining table on the scenic balcony that seats eight, and an unobtrusive colour scheme throughout that allows the sea to be star of the show. And if you ever get bored of that view (not us), TVs can be found in living areas as well as the two bedrooms blessed with slick ensuites.

I catch up with my friend in the master suite, which has another balcony with striking sea views. She’s running water into a large spa bath in the ensuite; it’s so lovely in here that the spa wins out for our first dip. We submerge ourselves into its bubbly deliciousness, pop a bottle of bubbles ourselves, and toss a coin for who gets the master – she wins; damn you tails. The beach and the pool can wait. We end up staying in that spa all afternoon. And I don’t regret a thing.

Rates start from $500 per night. staroftheseaterrigal.com

acknowledging the year of opening of the Singapore National Library. The views take in the river below, the city and Marina Bay in the distance.

The hotel’s all-day diner is named Entrepôt, serving Anglo-Asian fare – and don’t miss the roti john, an omelette sandwich and Singapore icon. There’s a pool bar, too, but my favourite venue is the hidden speakeasy bar, Chandu. Stepping inside, the intimate lighting and scented air transports me to the shady former world of Singapore’s opium dens (well, a sanitised version), although tonight I’m settling for a cocktail.

The hotel is well placed to stroll out and join a wooden ‘bum boat’ tour on the river, and in the evenings, Robertson Quay comes alive with bars and family friendly riverside dining.

Although it’s not in a heritage building, this hotel nails the brief of sharing Singapore’s river history, differentiating itself from other hotels with a playful sense of place. start from $250 per night. discoverasr.com