I checked in to this waterside resort - here's what surprised me the most

Where: 200 Main Road, Toukley, NSW

How much: From $239 per night

Known to locals as "the Beachie", the Beachcomber is an iconic destination in the picturesque holiday town of Toukley on the NSW Central Coast, 90 minutes north of Sydney. Its purchase by hospitality giant Oscars Group in 2021 marked a significant turning point for the venue and it has since undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation, transforming it into a chic lakeside hotel and resort.

Nestled on a narrow neck of land between two glass-clear lakes, "the Beachie" offers stunning water views no matter where you look.

With Budgewoi Lake to the north, the larger Tuggerah Lake to the south and the vast Pacific Ocean a few kilometres east, the resort is ideally located for those looking to get out on the water or into the surf. There are also golf courses, playgrounds, coastal walks and national parks to explore.

The Beachcomber combines Hamptons-inspired aesthetic with contemporary flair. The resort now offers 80 refurbished rooms, multiple bars, restaurants and function spaces, a pool, wellness centre and exclusive access to a private pier.

Whether you've travelled from near or far, the cool and casual design transports you someplace else and it's the perfect place to get into holiday mode.

After checking out the sights of the coast and checking into the resort, we sink into a queen bed in our spacious room overlooking Budgewoi Lake.

The rooms are chic and comfortable and the resort offers waterview, poolside or urban retreats. Hamptons-style tiles in the bathrooms make for a clean and crisp look.

Sometimes the best thing about a pub is when it doesn't quite feel like a pub. And that's the vibe at Bistro at the Beachie, where we arrive at dinnertime to find a relaxed atmosphere and an elevated pub-style menu. It's packed with a mix of families and couples and, after an afternoon in the pool, we find a spot near the bar and tuck into a succulent Wagyu beef ragu rigatoni and a plate of sticky pork tacos. The food arrives swiftly, it is thoughtfully prepared and we gratefully gobble it down.

A little later, we make a room-service call and within minutes a knock on the door produces a plate of crunchy fried dough, vanilla ice-cream and salted-caramel sauce: the local, handmade churros hit the spot as we settle in to watch a movie after dinner.

The Beachcomber's exclusive pool club is the highlight, with a 20-metre swimming pool and heated spa overlooking the lake.

On a warm day, the pool loungers and cabanas go quickly so make sure you get in early. The hotel screens live sport on a big screen and has live entertainment, and is a sought-after venue for weddings and other special events.

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We spend dusk among the bubbles in the heated spa bath, with the jets keeping us warm as the sun sets over the lake, painting the clouds a flaming fluorescent pink. Soon we're joined by a young couple, first-timers who discovered the resort while scrolling TikTok. We've never felt older.

And by the time we finally get out and towel off, our skin waterlogged and wrinkly, we've never looked older, either.

Explore more: beachcomberhotelandresort.com.au

The writer was a guest of the hotel.