The Clifton
Genteel rooms with breakfast and a lounge fireplace
About this hotel
The Clifton trades the budget-chain formula for something more considered: a cosy lounge, a cafe, and a free cooked breakfast that actually gets families fed properly before a full day at Wet N Wild rather than relying on a rushed café stop. Rooms are described as genteel rather than modern-minimal, which suits families wanting a bit more character from their base. Pet-friendly policies mean the dog doesn't have to stay home, and free parking keeps the practical side covered. Ocean Road sits a two-minute walk away, useful for an evening out once the kids are settled, and the 9.2 rating from over 750 reviews suggests this is a genuinely well-liked stay rather than just a convenient one. It won't suit every family, but for the specific trade-off it offers, it's a genuinely sensible choice worth shortlisting alongside the other options on this coast.
- Free breakfast
- Cafe and lounge
- Pet-friendly, free parking
Our take
This suits families wanting a proper breakfast and a bit more character than a chain hotel offers, especially those bringing a dog along. It's a step up in price from the budget branches, which is worth it for a multi-night trip but less necessary for a single overnight stay. There's nothing showy about the pitch here, just a straightforward match between what the property offers and what a slides-focused family trip actually needs.
- ✓Book breakfast expectations in mind, since the free cooked breakfast here is a genuine highlight worth building the morning schedule around.
- ✓Reserve early for weekends given the 9.2 rating, since this is one of the more sought-after stays near Wet N Wild.
- ✓Walk to Ocean Road in the evening rather than driving, since it's only two minutes from the hotel.
Why we love it
- Free cooked breakfast included
- Cosy lounge with a fireplace
- Pet-friendly rooms
- Two minutes from Ocean Road
Why guests love itWe picked The Clifton mainly for the free breakfast and it delivered, a proper cooked spread that got everyone fuelled before a full Wet N Wild day rather than the usual rushed toast. The lounge with its fireplace became our unofficial evening spot, kids worn out from the slides and happy to just sit. Being two minutes from Ocean Road meant one evening out for food without needing the car, and the dog was welcome throughout, which made the whole trip feel less like a compromise.