April 14, 2022
7 mins Read
Lovers of fine wine who want to extend their stay in wine country and escape the weekend crowds will find a wonderful selection of luxury accommodation to choose from in the Hunter Valley. From classy boutique hotels and family-style resorts to Airbnb listings that bring a new level of luxury to the NSW region, and on-the-spot vineyard accommodation that negates the need for a designated driver, here’s our guide on where to stay for luxury in the Hunter Valley.
Yarrimbah Cottage is 100 per cent off-grid, making it a haven for the many Australian Traveller readers who aspire to enjoy a stay somewhere luxurious that provides an eco-conscious experience. The self-contained cottage accommodates up to two guests and is sited at Jindalee Estate, which includes two additional accommodation options which feature gas fireplaces for cosy winters. Up to 12 people can stay at the estate, which boasts 180-degree views of Broken Back Mountain and is an idyllic setting for romantics, families, and large groups who will appreciate the fact they can wander down the lane to The Mill Restaurant, one of the best places to eat in the Hunter.
Take in gorgeous views by the fire at the Yarrimbah Cottage.
A soaring sandstone fireplace is the centrepiece of Vico Monti, a beautifully styled four-bedroom house with a one-bedroom studio located in the heart of the Hunter. Enjoy a good read or a good red while sitting around the hearth, which is central to the home’s identity regardless of the season. The Hermitage Road cycleway curls around the homestead, which was recently renovated and overlooks the Vico Monti single-estate vineyard that has been sewn onto the earth around the valley. The homestead sleeps 13 and is perfect for a group getaway.
Warm up by the fire with a wind in hand at Vico Monti.
The Cook’s House at Corunna Station is one of the most delightful places to stay in the Hunter Valley. Although the cottage was originally used by the station’s cook to prepare food for the hungry shearers working on the farm, everything about the historic cottage feels very now. For starters, it is kitted out in a very contemporary style that has been fine-tuned to meet the needs of everyone from millennials to couples and families. Although the Cook’s House only sleeps four, there are more beds available in the adjacent country house and homestead. The cottage, which has a wood-fired stove, offers superb views of Broken Back Range.
Cosy up fire-side in the delightful Cooks House.
Seeing the sun rise over the vines at Boydell’s Vineyard is just one aspect of the glamping experience that makes this the perfect romantic escape to the Hunter Valley. Better still, there is only one African safari tent onsite at the East Gresford property which means guests glamping in the vineyard are given exclusive access to the property. Designed as the ultimate couples getaway, the luxury tent features the finest linens, a free-standing copper bath, an outdoor shower and fire pit purpose-built for stargazing, glass of Boydell’s Reserve Shiraz Pinot Noir in hand. Make a beeline for Boydell’s Cellar Door and Restaurant to level up the experience.
Stay in an Eco Safari Tent at Boydell’s Vineyard (image: Destination NSW).
You will feel right at home in the Hunter when you book a stay at Spicers Vineyards Estate. That is of course if your home resembles a five-star retreat. The retreat offers all the amenities you’d expect of the Spicers brand – such as a lap pool and swanky spa – and Restaurant Botanica is just a short stroll away. Order the tasting menu and then sit on the winery’s serene verandah or your own private balcony to enjoy views over the valley. The retreat is too cool to keep quiet about: book your stay well in advance to coincide with one of the region’s annual events such as the Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight.
Relax and enjoy the views at Spicers Vineyard Estate (image: Destination NSW).
The Convent Hunter Valley is hugely popular with discerning oenophiles who return to the hotel each year at harvest time so they can wander around the estate’s vineyards, help harvest the grapes and of course taste the wines the property produces. The Escarpment Group hotel is housed in a former nunnery, and has a relaxed feel about it with sink-right-in sofas, vineyard views, and suites that have been set up in a cosy, contemporary style that also reflects the building’s history and heritage. The Convent is also an especially lovely place to stay thanks to its proximity to Circa 1876, one of the best restaurants in the Hunter Valley.
Have a delicious a meal at the rustic Circa 1876 Restaurant at The Covent.
Greystone Estate is your go-to if you want to escape for a group getaway with family and friends. The luxurious property is flooded with light and has carefully curated interiors: we love the soaring cathedral ceilings and wide parquetry floor in the cottages, and the raw timbers and natural textiles in the adjoining heritage homestead, Gow House. While the fireplace works for chilly evenings, the pool is an oasis on a hot day in the Hunter. The property has 15 bedrooms, 17.5 bathrooms, a games room, and about three hectares of manicured lawns and gardens. There’s also a sister property in Lovedale.
Take a breath of fresh air at the luxurious Greystone Estate.
If chasing a little white ball around is your idea of fun then you will find your happy place at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, which was included in the Golf Digest list of Top 100 Golf Courses in the world. But the iconic 40-hectare property is also a perfect jumping-off point to explore some of the region’s premium wine producers, such as Audrey Wilkinson, Brokenwood, Pokolbin Estate, Tamburlaine and Roche Estate. In addition to the golf course and country club, there are two bars, two restaurants, three tennis pools and two tennis courts. You will find the one-, two- and three-bedroom villas set against a stunning backdrop of the Broken Back Mountain Range.
Soak up the sun rays by the pool at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort (image: Destination NSW).
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has installed Tesla charging stations in the car parks of all of its Crowne Plaza hotels in Australia and New Zealand, which makes the voco Kirkton Park hotel a popular detour for drivers of the electric vehicles. Recharge yourself in the pool or voco spa or over dinner at Locavore, where the menu follows the seasons. The hotel is located in Pokolbin and overlooks the Broken Back Range and surrounding countryside, which changes colour with the light and the seasons.
Unwind and recharge at voco Kirkton (Image: Destination NSW).
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