10 Wonderful Wine Hotels in the Hunter Valley

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Pokolbin.
• Alternatively, check out the best places to stay in New South Wales.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

  • Tower Lodge Pokolbin (Australia) 12 rooms from $498

    
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    Ballooning  -  Glide above the Hunter Valley on a mesmerising hot air balloon ride in the early morning or evening, when the light is soft

    Foodies  -  Chef Anthony Fullerton heads a gastronomic delight of a restaurant, specialising in home-grown, seasonal produce & cuisine

    Romantic Break  -  A sensational five-bedroom lodge with indulgent interiors, fabulus food and a real sense of romance

    Wine tasting  -  Savour estate-grown wines and craft beer from the adjoining Hope Estate winery & cellar door

    

    A luxury lodge set within a picturesque vineyard in the dazzling Hunter Valley. Characterful rooms are both indulgent and charming: think solid antique furniture, artefacts from around the world and all the mod-cons. Dine in the locally renowned restaurant and, of course, sample the wines. See More

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  • Spicers Vineyards Estate Pokolbin (Australia) 12 rooms from $329

    
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    Wine tasting  -  Tours and tastings of the estate's own vineyard, where Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot grapes are grown, are fabulous

    Total relaxation  -  Wonderfully relaxing, with a soothing spa, gorgeous restaurant and world-class estate wines

    Country Escape  -  A brilliant vineyard hideaway in the Hunter Valley, just two hours' drive from Sydney

    Cycling  -  Borrow the hotel's bicycles and zip between fields and vineyards in the sunshine

    

    Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith

    Set on an eight-acre vineyard in the heart of the Hunter Valley. This estate has 12 luxurious rooms boasting wood-burning fireplaces & rural views. Guests share a swimming pool, serene spa and fabulous restaurant. Expect seasonal dishes and award-winning home-grown wines in a romantic setting. See More

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  • The Carriages Boutique Hotel & Vineyard Pokolbin (New South Wales) 10 rooms from $172

    
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    Families  -  The two-bedroom Rosebank Cottage, complete with a kitchen & sitting room, is ideal for families or groups travelling together

    Country Escape  -  A laid-back rural hideaway with verdant grounds and a tennis court in the beautiful Hunter Valley

    Wine tasting  -  Tours and tastings of the five-acre Carriage Boutique winery, bordered by forest, are wonderful

    Local markets  -  The Hunter Wine Country Markets and the Handmade in the Hunter Markets are fabulous for picking up craft pieces

    

    A lovely collection of 10 charming bedrooms on a five-acre boutique vineyard. Think traditional, individually decorated spaces with crisp white linens, garden-facing French doors & polished wooden beams. Tiled bathrooms have a classic feel, and big decks are ideal for unwinding. Pretty & laid-back. See More

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  • Hermitage Lodge Pokolbin (New South Wales) 21 rooms from $131

    
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    Groups  -  The 5-bedroom Residence — with private pool, kitchen & sitting room — sleeps up to 10 guests & is perfect for group holidays

    Wine tasting  -  Hermitage Lodge has its own vineyard, and the tours and tastings are fantastic — this is wine country after all!

    Country Escape  -  A stylish rural retreat with a vineyard, swimming pool and verdant grounds in the stunning Hunter Valley

    Value chic  -  Smart accommodation at very reasonable prices

    

    A collection of 20 crisp, contemporary suites & studios, plus a 5-bedroom residence, facing the lodge's Shiraz vineyards. Airy, light-filled spaces feature modern furnishings & smart bathrooms, along with sun-drenched wooden decks. A saltwater pool & relaxed restaurant add to the easygoing appeal. See More

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  • Spicers Guesthouse Pokolbin (New South Wales) 49 rooms from $196

    
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    Families  -  The four-bedroom Cottage is brilliant for families & friends, who will adore the gardens, swimming pool & tennis court

    Wine tasting  -  Enjoy terrific vineyard tours and tastings on a guided Hunter Valley Wine Tour

    Great walks  -  The 29 acres of the Hunter Valley Gardens are brilliant for scenic strolls

    Tennis  -  Challenge family and friends to a game of tennis on the hotel's court

    

    A lovingly restored guest house with airy contemporary rooms & suites, as well as a four-bedroom cottage within verdant gardens. Smart interiors boast crisp white linens, flat-screen TVs & cosy seating areas. The swimming pool & Italian restaurant are lovely, and the Hunter Valley vineyards await. See More

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  • The Convent Hunter Valley Pokolbin (Australia) 17 rooms from $167

    
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    Honeymoons  -  A romantic honeymoon hotel in the gorgeous Hunter Valley, with lovely Garden Suites boasting cosy beds & beautiful views

    Foodies  -  Circa 1876 is reputedly the best restaurant in the Hunter Valley - the surrounding vineyards are also fantastic

    Wine tasting  -  Enjoy tours and tastings at the nearby Pepper Tree and Towers Estate Wineries, both within walking distance

    Tennis  -  Play a game at the synthetic grass court, borrowing racquets and balls from the hotel

    

    This bright blue old nunnery-turned-hotel offers an indulgent stay in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Spacious rooms channel French baroque style mixed with Australian country hotel, and have stunning views out to the gardens and vineyard. Perfect for a romantic soujourn amid the vines. See More

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  • Chateau Elan Pokolbin (Australia) 100 rooms from $145

    
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    Golf  -  Play a round or two on the 18-hold course, designed by Greg Norman and home to the New South Wales Open Championship

    Active Holiday  -  Keen golfers, tennis players, hikers and wine aficionados will find a plethora of things to do in the Pokolbin area

    Spa breaks  -  A superb spa destination with 18 treatment rooms and a wide array of wellness therapies

    Tennis  -  Challenge friends and family to a game on tennis on the hotel's court

    

    A luxury resort boasting smart accommodation, an 18-hole golf course & excellent spa in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Large rooms & suites are contemporary in style & feature all mod cons including spa baths & Nespresso machines. A deliciously indulgent based in a wine-growing region. See More

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  • The Bronte Boutique Hotel Raworth, New South Wales 8 rooms from $206

    
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    Groups  -  Apartments with sofa beds are great for groups, who can also self-cater or kick back on the terrace with a glass or two of wine

    Great walks  -  Follow the Morpeth Heritage Walk for striking heritage sites and an insight into key figures from the town's past

    Local exploring  -  A laid-back little boutique base in Morpeth, perfect for exploring the historic town & surrounding wine region

    Wine tasting  -  Enjoy tours and tastings at the fantastic wineries of the Hunter Valley and the Pokolbin region

    

    A charming B&B with eight guest rooms & suites facing the Hunter River. Airy whitewashed spaces with original artwork, bright sofas & modern bathrooms sit in a heritage residence dating back to 1822. Guests share a sunlit terrace & lovely sitting room, whilst some suites have kitchens. Very cosy. See More

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  • Tonic Hotel Pokolbin (New South Wales) 8 rooms from $297

    
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    Wine tasting  -  The Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, abounds with wonderful vineyards offering tours and tastings

    Groups  -  Two-bedroom suites are ideal for groups of friends travelling together, with a shared kitchen & sitting room

    Local exploring  -  A great base for discovering the wonders of the Hunter Valley's vineyards, farms and trails

    Great walks  -  The 14 hectares of the Hunter Valley Gardens are wonderful for a stroll, with 10 manicured gardens to explore

    

    Recommended by  -  I Escape

    Set in leafy lakeside grounds with a refreshing swimming pool, eight simple, contemporary rooms & suites channel laid-back Australian charm. One- & two-bedroom suites have full kitchens, sitting rooms & decks, inviting a real sense of independence. A relaxed Hunter Valley escape for adults. See More

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  • Cedars Mount View New South Wales 5 rooms from $884

    
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    Honeymoons  -  A beautiful rural retreat with indulgent interiors, perfect for honeymooners dreaming of a natural escape

    Total relaxation  -  Unwind in blissful tranquility, with a sauna, massages & your own villa whirlpool tub

    Whirlpool Bathtub  -  The villas all come with either a huge tub for two or a whirlpool tub for two

    Great walks  -  Follow forested hiking trails through the stunning Yengo National Park

    

    Five fabulous hideaways on 94 acres of field & forest. Cool, contemporary villas boast open-plan kitchens, sitting rooms, hot tubs & bedrooms with cosy beds & floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural materials & earthy tones create a sense of calm in light-filled spaces. Splendid isolation for romantics. See More

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Written by Helen Pickles

posted Tuesday, 13th August 2024