Most of the rooms are on the same level with a courtyard, we had ours looking towards the tennis…read morecourt. Unfortunately it rained heavily for 90% of the time we were here but the rooms were clean, staff were super friendly and the hotel was very nice. The library off reception has a log fire and there is a cozy comfort to the reception which I loved plus the smell of a log fire burning. They are also walking distance to the hunter valley village shops and gardens so easy to get to and really convenient too.

So I gots me a new favourite hostel…read more Yep, hostel, with an S. Never stayed at one? Worried they're full of dirty backpackers and head lice? If so I'm not even mad, I kind of feel sorry for you because hostels are hubs of creativity, language, international relations, and, of course, drinking. They're tiny models of what the U.N. could and should be if it got its act together. Anyway, I love hostels, and this one is just outside of Cessnock AKA Cesspit AKA The 'Pool (wholly undeserving names, all) is a fine find indeed. An old wooden homestead-style building with tin roof and a huge verandah that goes all the way around (ALL the way, baby), it's also set on tranquil bushland. Here's what's on each of the 4 sides of the ginormous property: 1. it's own beautiful private vineyard 2. a paddock and dry riverbed and friendly horse 3. grassy field with wild rabbits that come out to play at dawn and dusk 4. a gravel car park to park your Wicked Camper van if you're a tourist, or your Holden or Ford if you're anyone else, or your Daewoo Lanos if you're me. They do tours to wine country, and are a 5min drive to town ('town' being a relative concept out here), and, well, it's the most relaxed I've felt for yonks. The rooms are super bare bones, but for 30 or so clams a night, whatd'you expect, the Ritz? The common room and the big tables out on the verandah are aces for meeting people, esp. internationals.

I spent my big-three-O here. The very day where I was surrounded by new friends I just met and had…read moreno idea it was my birthday. The very day Hunter Valley hit the record high of 46c. The very day it had a clear sky at night with Orion staring at me, followed by crazy blacks clouds and thunderstorm the next day. All pretty surreal, to say the least. Nigel (if I remember the name correctly), the manager of the hostel, was also the wine tour guide too. Pretty funny, helpful, and chillaxing guy. The hot weather didn't really help us enjoying the Shiraz though, and as soon as we returned back to the hostel, we jumped into the pool (air-con in the dorm room was certainly not strong enough, but I didn't blame them - no air-con is strong enough at 46c). Spent a few night doing the usual boozing at the at the bench with other backpackers just outside of the lounge area. Turned out the guy coming from Perth was celebrating his birthday here with his girlfriend, so the 5 of us (with another geeky German geology fresh graduate, and whoever the other guy) walked about 10mins in darkness to find this pub next to the hostel. Pretty good vibe here, check it out the beer there if you have too much of Shiraz too. You kinda need a car to get around to the supermarket 5mins down the road, which I was more than happy to help the folks here with my '98 Toyota Camry. There were a friendly Korean couple here too, it's a shame we lost touch as they were not on Facebook. They also do the classic Aussie BBQ early evening at some selected days of the week, check their whiteboard.

We only went in for a drink , but they had decent quality craft beers on tap and great wines…read more The food being delivered to the other tables looked good though and the menu was interesting for me. Service at the bar was friendly and quick.

The food looks great. Tastes OK…read more We were here a year ago and I couldn't find my review. I suspect I saved it as draft and never posted it but the fact I couldn't remember if the food was good, bad or indifferent should have made me think twice. :) As I said the food LOOKED great. We were impressed with the kids meals and the fact they had salad with the chips which doesn't always happen. My burger also looked quite nice. When it can be to eating it though, the kids steak was a tad chewy and charred, the kids chicken nuggets' batter was oily and thick and the burger was nothing you'd write home about. The service was friendly and the meal wasn't expensive ($59 fit two adult and two child meals plus a soft drink) but this is not a place I'd recommend. It's the second time we stop here because it's on our way to/from home and next time we decide convenience rule, we'll go to the nearest maccas.

It is the voco. It is an ihg hotel. We were upgraded to a valley view room. The advantage of…read morestatus. The hotel has too many stairs. I have not seen any disable ramps. I think this is an oversight. The hotel is in a great location.

Fun place. Smaller rooms but very nice. WiFi can be spotty but all in all awesome!…read more Super comfortable and clean rooms. Jade was one of our favorites. She was training but super engaging. Great stay.

This was our favorite hotel of our entire Australian trip. We had a studio suite that overlooked…read morethe vineyard and large pond with ducks. There were free laundry facilities and it was just a short walk to an amazing restaurant, Il Cacciatore. There was a continental breakfast in the room each day that included English muffins with several topping choices, yogurt/berry parfaits, and muesli. Coffee and tea were also in the room, or espresso drinks were available in the lobby for a small fee. Each morning, I went to the lobby to get a latte and was able to sit and talk with the owners. They are LOVELY and gave great recommendations for restaurants and activities. This place helped make Hunter Valley my favorite Australian destination!

Lovely hotel centrally located in Hunter Valley. Stayed in the vineyard studio which has a nice…read moreopen floor plan with a cute little balcony facing the vines. Room was clean and spacious. Few things to note, continental breakfast is included and is actually already in the fridge upon arrival--which allows one to have a midnight snack (if you get hungry during the night like me, haha) and gives you flexibility with when you want to take your breakfast (no early morning knocking). On a side note, for those who are particular about toiletries, the hotel provides a combo shampoo/body wash. If that's not your cup of tea, you might want to bring your own shampoo. Also, complimentary wifi for those techies, like myself.

Me and my boyfriend wento to Getaway Inn to stay for 1 night in June/2013. The guesthouse looked…read moreok, but when we were checking-in, we noticed that the forms asked for complete security information from credit card, including the 3 digit security code on the back, which all CC companies tell us all the time not to share with unsecure companies, because it allows full use of your credit card for purchasing. When I said i was not comfortable with that because it was unsafe, the owner said he would pre-authorize in my credit card the amount of USD200 if info was not provided. It was ok for me, but then he changed his mind and said very rudely that giving the security info were the rules and if I didn't agree I had better go somewhere else then. Thats exactly what me and my partner did, and we found a nice hotel, rudeness-free and safe, just down the road. Do not go there is the best advice i can give you, don't put your credit card on risk, it's not worth it.

From the owner: Accommodation Packages Hunter Valley, NSW, Australiaread more