Discover Surfside 22: Boutique Luxury by Wollongong’s Stunning Coast

I recently spent one night at the iconic Surfside 22 in Wollongong. This gorgeous boutique hotel had been on my radar for a while after spotting its Palm Springs-inspired vibe on Instagram. This November, my boyfriend and I stayed in their King Room with Kitchen and booked the Stay & Dine package. It included a room of our choice, a $100 voucher for The Boathouse in North Wollongong and late checkout at 12 pm. In this review and guide to Surfside 22, you’ll find everything you need to know about this beautiful coastal stay!

Disclosure: This stay was gifted. As always, all opinions and experiences shared are entirely my own.

Location and getting there

Surfside 22 is located at 22 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500. It is about one hour from the Sutherland Shire (where I’m from) and around two hours from Sydney. The hotel offers parking, but we chose to take the train for convenience. The train ride is incredibly scenic as you pass through the stunning Royal National Park and along the coastline. We got off at Wollongong Station and enjoyed a relaxed 15-minute walk to the hotel. You can also get a rideshare or bus, but we wanted to walk and take in the town. The hotel is only a couple of minutes from the beach, with the ocean right at your doorstep. I went to university in Wollongong, so it felt special to be back in such a beautiful coastal spot!

Booking and check-in

For the best prices, I strongly recommend booking directly on their website. Packages like the Stay & Dine deal are often only available this way. On the day of our stay, we were excited to find out we could check in at 12 pm, which, combined with late checkout, gave us a full 24 hours at the hotel! Guests receive a digital room key through the Goki app. We downloaded it beforehand and simply scanned the QR code at reception to activate our keys. It was such an easy process and great for someone like me who always loses room cards! The staff were super lovely and shared tips for the hotel and area. They handed us our dining voucher and we headed to our room. First impressions were amazing: pink umbrellas, retro details and a relaxed, beachy, palm springs atmosphere. It felt personal, warm and not at all like a big hotel chain.

Our King Room with Kitchen

We stayed in the King Room with Kitchen and it was huge! The room had a large bedroom, living area, bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette.

The kitchen included a Smeg toaster and kettle, microwave, Nespresso machine and pods, fridge, cooktop, plus plates, pots and pans.

I loved the pastel colours and cute decor details that made the space feel thoughtful and stylish. There was also a breakfast bar with two stools to eat at. The bedroom featured a luxurious king-size bed with fresh white linen. It was so cozy I ended up sleeping for ten hours straight! Each side of the bed had power points and USB ports, plus reading lamps.

We also had a comfortable lounge area with plush sofas, perfect for relaxing or watching TV. The smart TV with Chromecast was a highlight, and we ended the night in cosy robes watching a movie in bed.

There was a work desk with plenty of outlets where I could use my laptop the next morning. The Wi-Fi was fast. The room also had a wardrobe with pink hangers, a luggage rack, drawers and ironing facilities. The soft robes were one of our favourite details!

Another unique feature was the dedicated cocktail-making station, which was such a fun touch!

The bathroom had stunning pink tiles, a revitalising rain shower and O&M bath products.

Overall, the room felt more like a luxury apartment than a hotel, with different spaces to relax, work and unwind. Every detail was considered, from wooden aircon covers to pineapple-shaped hooks and pastel finishes.

Amenities

For a boutique hotel, Surfside 22 has impressive amenities. There is a plunge pool, outdoor shower (perfect after the beach), sauna, front garden and sun loungers.

During our stay, we would swim at the beach, rinse off in the outdoor shower, then move between the pool, sauna and relaxation areas. It felt like our own mini spa retreat and was incredibly calming. There is also a vending machine with snacks and even Surfside-branded mineral water.

Stay and Dine package

With our Stay & Dine package, we received a $100 voucher for The Boathouse in North Wollongong. It is about an 18-minute walk or a short ride. We rented Neuron e-scooters right outside the hotel and it took us around 10 minutes along the coast with amazing views. The Boathouse is located on the top floor of the North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club, right by the beach. It has indoor seating and a terrace with stunning ocean views.

We booked for 5.30 pm and were lucky to sit overlooking the water. We ordered the squid fritti and burrata to start, followed by pepperoni pizza with hot honey and a Westholme wagyu steak with peppercorn sauce, salad and fries. The portions were generous and everything was delicious. The voucher covered most of our meal and drinks, which was a lovely bonus.

Things to do in Wollongong

Wollongong has SO much to offer. You can swim at the beach, ocean pools or rock pools nearby. For outdoor lovers, there are beautiful hikes around the Illawarra region. If you want activities, there is Smash Factor indoor golf, Jamberoo Action Park and even Skydive Wollongong if you are brave. For shopping, Wollongong Central is a short walk from the hotel and has over 200 stores. There are lots of great restaurants too, from casual spots like Sneaky Burger, Diggies, Kinn Thai and The Boathouse to fine dining options like Harbourfront, Santino and Debutant.

Tips for Your Stay

• Book directly to access special packages, early check-in, and late check-out
• Bring snacks: the kitchen makes it easy and enjoyable to cook meals or enjoy late-night treats (like popcorn)!
• Bring a book or kindle: the relaxation areas are perfect for reading or unwinding.
• Alternate between relaxation and adventure: enjoy the beach, sauna, plunge pool, or stroll along Wollongong’s stunning coastline.
• Use the digital key for hassle-free access to the hotel and your room.
• Plan a meal at The Boathouse to enjoy fresh coastal cuisine and stunning sunset views
• Book the Stay & Dine package to make the most of your getaway and included perks.

Final thoughts

We absolutely loved our stay at Surfside 22! The Stay & Dine package was such amazing value. Early check-in and late checkout made the experience feel longer and more relaxing. Dinner at The Boathouse was delicious and the views were beautiful. Our King Room with Kitchen was stylish, spacious and full of cute details. We loved making coffee in the Nespresso machine, cosy hot chocolates with the Smeg kettle and even late-night popcorn.

The amenities were great and made us feel like we were at a spa, especially moving between the sauna and plunge pool. The location is perfect, just steps from the beach, 20 minutes from the station and close to everything. For a relaxing, romantic or fun getaway in Wollongong, I would definitely recommend Surfside 22. We left feeling refreshed and already planning our next visit!
Book your stay at Surfside 22 here!