The best-kept secret of Sydney's movers and shakers

If you really want to get away from it all try Kims Beach Hideaway, the luxury beachfront resort at Toowoon Bay on the Central Coast, just 90 minutes north of Sydney.

Kims is a hangout for the rich and famous, a place where taking things easy is an art form. All the guests stay in private, luxurious villas, many of which open directly onto the beach.

There is a range of accommodation choices ranging from bungalows with private swimming pools to spa villas with saunas. This is a couples' retreat and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group.

The villas contain all the usual luxuries, double shower/double spa bath, quality toiletries, CD, TV and DVD player and cocktail bar as well as little touches including a heated towel rail, beach towels, and a pair of deckchairs.

While it is a swish place, and you’ll pay accordingly, there is absolutely no snobbery. Everyone is treated equally; rock star or bank clerk.

Probably the best thing about Kims is its legendary buffets. Since 1886, when it was just a beach shack, the ringing of the ship's bell has indicated a meal is being served. 

Dishes might include the likes of green pea and ham hock soup, a cold seafood selection or a selection of hot dishes like char-grilled prawns with mango and cucumber salad, slow-roasted pork belly or a Rawalpindi curry. There’s a range of cold meats, salads and vegetarian selections, followed by a choice of local and imported cheeses and a range of desserts.

Breakfasts, too, are a highlight, from the great cereals and home-made jams to the freshly-cooked kippers.

There’s a spa, the Pampering Place, for those who love massages (who doesn’t?), or you could just take a stroll along one of the country’s best beaches and enjoy the windsurfers in action.

If you have romance in mind, this setting should do the trick. 

Kims Beach Hideaway, Toowoon Bay, New South Wales, 2261. Bookings: Phone: 4332 1566 or see www.kims.com.au. Rates: Prices range from $265 per person, per night (including three meals a day). A range of packages, including dinner bed and breakfast deals from $230 per person per night, is available.