Melbourne families, get ready to explore a new staycation destination! Packed with cosy luxuries, fine food and plenty of fun activities, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is a welcoming retreat tailored for families.Â
From its comfortable ambiance to thoughtful amenities, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is a perfect choice for a relaxing family getaway. Read on as we uncover the practical comforts and genuine hospitality that make this hotel a home away from home, for families seeking a memorable holiday just 60 minutes out of Melbourne.
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong
Newly opened in the bustling Geelong Quarter, Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong promises an unparalleled blend of luxury, comfort, and family-friendly fun. The hotel’s Kids Stay and Eat Free program ensures that families can enjoy a budget-friendly getaway, making it the perfect destination for families seeking memorable adventures.
Hotel Facilities
Upon stepping into Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, families are greeted by a warm ambiance that instantly feels like home.Â
The new-build Geelong hotel has instigated the signature Holiday Inn Open Lobby concept, which allows visitors to relax and connect in an open homely space where everything you need is within reach.
Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in natural light and provide views toward the Geelong waterfront, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Comfortable seating areas and nooks are dotted around the open bar with the hotel restaurant, indoor heated pool, fitness centre and function rooms all within the same collaborative space. Within this area on level one, we found a small room perfect for the kids to sit and play with a few kids’ books, board games and cosy lounge chairs.
The 20-metre indoor lap pool is great for kids to have a splash-about, while the grown-ups rejuvenate on a comfortable pool lounge.
For travellers in search of enhanced productivity, the hotel offers the convenience of complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and a dedicated e-bar. This thoughtful amenity provides a perfect space to plug in, allowing guests to effortlessly stay connected with the latest news, or tackle their work tasks with ease.
Accommodation
When booking a family holiday, comfort is always a high priority. Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong boasts 180 spacious and thoughtfully designed hotel rooms and suites with a variety of room configurations including interconnecting rooms, providing ample options for parents and children to enjoy a comfortable stay and good night’s sleep.Â
Kids staying at all IHG Hotels & Resorts receive a ‘Little Big Travellers’ activity book with coloured pencils. These – and the complimentary shower caps – conveniently kept my kids entertained while we unpacked and settled into our weekend Geelong accommodation.
The beds are comfy and the rooms are exquisite. They’re adorned with vibrant colours and playful accents, making a very cheerful and uplifting vibe. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in beautiful natural light with stunning views to admire, and block-out curtains perfect for day naps. Portacots can be provided upon request.
Maestro Restaurant
Families can indulge in a culinary experience like no other at Maestro, the renowned restaurant led by award-winning Australian chef Adrian Richardson at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. The restaurant’s distinctive name is a tribute to Chef Richardson, a true ‘maestro’ of gastronomy, celebrated for his culinary expertise.
Maestro is a delightful celebration of premium local ingredients and meticulously crafted dishes. The restaurant’s open layout allows guests to watch the chefs at work, and the kids especially enjoyed watching as the chefs prepared our meals.
Chef Richardson, in collaboration with Executive Chef Migo Razon, has curated a menu that highlights the region’s finest produce. From succulent duck sourced from the lush Moorabool Valley to freshly baked bread from La Madre bakery, to fresh seafood and premium steak, each dish is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality.
Even the kids are spoilt at Maestro with a choice of beef schnitzel, pan-fried fish, or gnocchi, all elegantly presented and tasty for those little palates. With a parents’ meal kids eat free, which is an absolute bonus and great value. Children are accommodated with coloured pencils, and high chairs are available too.
Maestro Geelong is open 7 days a week with an exquisite a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is also available each morning of the week.
Buffet Breakfast
At Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, families are greeted each morning with a delightful breakfast buffet that caters to every palate, making it a perfect start to the day’s adventures.Â
Imagine the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries, filling the air as you enter the breakfast area. The buffet features an array of options, from fluffy pancakes, made-to-order eggs and crispy bacon, to a colourful assortment of fresh fruits and cereals. For the health-conscious, there are yoghurt parfaits and a variety of whole-grain options, ensuring every family member can kick-start their day with a nutritious meal.
High chairs are readily available, and the friendly waiters and chefs are always ready to assist, creating a relaxed atmosphere where families can enjoy their meals without any hassle. We were offered a takeaway container to fill with goodies from the buffet to enjoy later in the day.
The breakfast buffet is available every day and is open to hotel guests as well as the general public from 7am – 11am.
Aside from the restaurant, guests at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong can enjoy a variety of dining options. Choose from classic favourites at the bar, or grab convenient on-the-go bites from the café, both conveniently located in the Open Lobby. For added convenience and comfort, the hotel also offers 24/7 room service, ensuring that guests can satisfy their cravings anytime, day or night.
Explore Geelong
Geelong, nestled along the stunning Victorian coastline, boasts a range of family-friendly attractions, eateries and seasonal events.
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is perfectly positioned to explore local landmarks, including the Geelong Arts Centre, Museum of Play and Art, GMHBA Stadium, National Wool Museum, the revitalised Little Malop Street precinct and much more.
Just a five-minute drive (or twenty-minute walk) gets you to the spectacular Geelong waterfront, with a playful carousel, Giant Sky Wheel, colourful bollards and playgrounds – it’s perfect for all ages and definitely worth a visit.
Read more tips on where to go and things to do with kids in Geelong here.
HOT tips for your stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong
- Choose from luxurious hotel rooms and suites with family-friendly configuration options;
- Kids Stay and Eat Free! This means that children under 18 stay for free when sharing their parents’ room, and kids under 12 eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult, selecting from the children’s menu;
- Relax and unwind in the Open Lobby, including a small room with kids books and games on Level One;
- Check out the heated indoor pool (and fitness centre for the grown-ups);
- Kids staying at all IHG Hotels & Resorts receive a ‘Little Big Travellers’ activity book with coloured pencils;
- Maestro Restaurant accommodates children with colouring in and high chairs;
- The Breakfast Buffet is exquisite, and kids eat free here too!
Read more tips for the best places to go and things to do with kids in Geelong here.
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