Stay and Play ‘staycation’ the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway

FOR time-poor couples or Mums and Dads who want to get away for a night, a “staycation” is the perfect excuse for a mini-break that’s not too far from home.

Stay and Play the perfect excuse for a getaway

I’VE just flown to the Caribbean and back this morning and it’s only 11.30am.

Flying in over the stunning azure waters and barely skimming the sunbathers on Maho Beach, I’ve successfully landed our Boeing 737NG at Princess Juliana International Airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.

The only catch is while I’ve “flown” it there, I never even bothered to set foot on the tarmac.

Because I’m technically not a pilot and I’m technically still in Darling Harbour, Sydney, inside one of Flight Experience’s $1 million flight simulators.

It’s an incredible experience which makes you realise exactly what goes on in a cockpit when you’re normally kicking back with your G&T and complimentary peanuts.

Sydney’s famous showboat cruise.

The simulator footage which surrounds the almost 180 degree windows is so realistic you’d swear you were flying.

A flick of a button turns the cabin from day to night and the simulator puts you at the controls doing everything from turning the seat belt sign on, to letting down the wheels to landing it on the runway.

But if a flight simulator experience is not your kind of thing during a staycation in Darling Harbour, there’s plenty of other things to do.

Why not take a showboat cruise, complete with 3-course meal and drinks package?

Sydney’s stunning darling harbour.

Cruise the stunning Sydney Harbour, take in the sights and finish the night off with a thrilling live cabaret show, it’s a beautiful way to spend the evening.

Alternatively, grab tickets to a show, or visit Madam Tussauds wax museum, SEA Life Sydney Aquarium or WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo.

The Ibis offers Stay & Play rooms from just $179, while the Novotel has rooms starting from just $239 from October through to mid-December.

For time poor couples or Mums and Dads who want to get away for a night, it’s the perfect excuse for a mini-break that’s not too far from home.

Check out www.accorhotels.com/stayplay for more information.