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Stretching from the hills to the coastline around Newcastle and nearby Nelson Bay, the beautiful Hunter Valley lies to the north of Sydney. The most famous wine-producing region in New South Wales, and the 19th century birthplace of the Australian wine industry, the region has long been a popular weekend escape for city dwellers, groups of friends and romantic couples. Our list of the best wine hotels in the Hunter Valley includes intimate boutique boltholes as well as sprawling rural retreats with their own boutique vineyards, and some with top notch Australian restaurants on site. Prized for its Chardonnay wines — particularly oaked varieties — and Semillon, the region is also known for its sensational Shiraz. Enjoy tours and tastings at world-class wineries, cycle, horse ride or ramble between rolling vineyards, or take to the skies for a hot air balloon ride above a landscape studded with pretty villages, farms and wineries.
FOR a Vineyard Escape
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- Tower Lodge takes luxury to new heights with sensational accomodation set in the grounds of a striking vineyard. Suites with terracotta floors, enormous beds, emerald green-tiled bathrooms and characterful seating areas promise absolute bliss for romantics. A gorgeous wine country hotel, complete with Basque and modern Australian fusion cuisine at Sebastian.
- Spicers Vineyards Estate has its own vineyard and extensive wine cellar. Many of the 12 indulgent guest rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, and guests share access to a refreshing swimming pool, serene spa and fabulous restaurant. Plus there's a self contained house with pool if you're travelling in a group. Adults-only and ideal for romantics.
- The Carriages Boutique Hotel & Vineyard offers ten charming bedrooms and a two-bedroom cottage with a five-acre vineyard. An affordable winery choice, this rural spot has a tennis court and leafy shared gardens. Rosebank Cottage is ideal for self-catering, and for families with older children.
- Hermitage Lodge's 20 contemporary suites and studios face picturesque Shiraz vineyards. The five-bedroom Residence — complete with private pool, kitchen and sitting room — sleeps up to 10 guests, whilst the onsite Pescara Restaurant is a foodie favourite. Tours and tastings at the lodge's own vineyard are not to be missed.
FOR Foodies
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- Spicers Guesthouse offers sensational Italian cuisine at the éRemo Restaurant, where innovative dishes are paired with wonderful Hunter Valley wines. The guesthouse itself has been lovingly restored, with airy rooms and suites bedecked in white linens. The four-bedroom cottage is ideal for families or groups, who share access to the swimming pool, lush gardens and tennis court with other guests.
- The Convent Hunter Valley, a pretty blue-and-white painted building with lovely latticework, has a tranquil, traditional feel with French baroque-inspired interiors. The acclaimed restaurant, Circa 1876, is amongst the best in the Hunter Valley, with a modern Australian menu and an impressive farm-to-fork ethos. Tour the nearby Pepper Tree and Towers Estate Wineries.
FOR a Golf Resort
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- Chateau Elan, famed for its 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course, plays host to the New South Wales Open Championship. The resort has 100 modern guest rooms, as well as a soothing spa and lively clubhouse restaurant. Enjoy terrific tours and tastings at nearby Hunter Valley wineries.
For Groups
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- The Bronte Boutique Hotel is a charming B&B with eight guest rooms and suites in pretty Morpeth. Groups will appreciate the apartments with sofa beds and kitchenettes, whilst the shared terrace is perfect for a convivial glass or two of wine. Expect original artwork, bright sofas and modern bathrooms in whitewashed spaces. Book multiple guest rooms for a great group trip.
- Tonic Hotel is an adult-only spot on the banks of a little lake in the Hunter Valley. Suites are self-catering, with full kitchens, sitting rooms and decks, and a laid-back sense of Australian style. The two-bedroom options are ideal for friends travelling together. The wineries, cheese tastings and hiking trails of the Hunter Valley are on your doorstep.
For Rural Luxury
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- Cedars Mount View boasts five cool, contemporary hideaways on an expansive 94 acres of field and forest. Earthy tones and natural materials in light-filled spaces with open-plan kitchens, sitting rooms and hot tubs create a sense of serenity. A romantic escape for those looking to escape the wider world.