Casa La Vina
One of the Hunter Valley’s most distinctive places to stay, Casa La Vina comprises a series of luxury villas built in a “New Mexican adobe” style. There’s a rustic ‘Spaghetti Western’ feel here, with rammed earth, terracotta roofs, abandoned wagon wheels and the like, but the villas are pure luxury. Ponchos optional.
A: 657 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph: 0406 770 294
W: casalavina.com.au
Chateau Elan
Jessica and Surahn Sidhu’s sustainably managed farm is centred around an almond orchard, in Willunga. She’s an accomplished landscape designer, while he’s a musician, having played with Empire of The Sun, The Swiss and Flight Facilities over the years. The farm also runs sheep and cattle, and grows plenty of fresh produce. An almond ‘cellar door’ is nearly complete, and the lodge is a one-bedroom affair for two guests. You can pick your own veggies and the beach and wineries are only a five-minute drive away.
A: Vintage Dr, Rothbury NSW 2320
Ph: (02) 4998 2500
W: chateauelan.com.au
Crowne Plaza
This has all the facilities you would expect from an international hotel chain, and it is conveniently located. It is also well-priced. It’s a practical and well-appointed option, though it naturally has a little less charm than some of the more bespoke options. If you’re a golfer, however, its 18-hole championship course is one of the best in the region.
A: 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale NSW 2325
Ph: (02) 4991 0000
W: crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au
Cypress Lakes
Well-priced, four-star resort-style accommodation is the theme at Cypress Lakes. All rooms are suites, with the largest sleeping up to seven adults, and includes three bathrooms. One of the country’s premier resort golf courses is on the doorstep, there are a “variety of swimming pools” and tennis courts, and wellness packages are also available in conjunction with Elysia, in Pokolbin.
A: Cnr. McDonalds & Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph: (02) 4993 1555
W: cypresslakes.com.au
H Boutique Hotel
Located next to Bimbadgen winery in Pokolbin, the H Hotel offers 35 semi-self-contained villas, with the option to book out a four-bedroom homestead. You’ll just need to make sure you have enough mobile data, as internet facilities are not available in the rooms.
A: 770 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph: (02) 4998 6969
W: hboutiquehotel.com.au
Hermitage Lodge
If you want to get a bit closer to the vines, Hermitage Lodge’s verandah – which all 20 rooms open on to – overlooks the property’s own shiraz vineyard. Separate two-bedroom and studio suites, also overlooking the vines, offer a little more privacy.
A: 609 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph: (02) 4998 7639
W: hermitagelodge.com.au
Vinden Estate Homestead
To really get in the thick of things, the luxurious Homestead at Vinden Estate puts you right in the middle of the action at one of the Hunter’s most dynamic wineries. The house has a French provincial feel, sleeps up to 12 people, and it is fully appointed, including a vast country kitchen equipped with copper pans, stacks of crockery and an impressive gas and wood-burning stove. There’s even a swimming pool, and the cellar door is one of the Hunter’s finest.
A: 138 Gillards Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320
Ph: 0488 777 493
W: vindenwines.com.au
