The wine region’s first new-build luxury resort in more than 20 years, Laval Hunter Valley, will open its doors in the second half of 2027.

HVL Hotels has announced the arrival of a landmark resort in the Hunter Valley, set to place Australia’s oldest wine region on a global map. 

Opening in the second half of 2027, Laval Hunter Valley is the region’s first new-build luxury resort in more than two decades. It will feature 65 villas across a historic 66-hectare wine estate in Pokolbin, complete with a 1000-square-metre wellness space, a 10,000-bottle cellar and one of the world’s largest collections of art by Gillie & Marc.  

“The Hunter Valley has long been one of Australia’s most loved wine regions," said Karen Jones, CEO of Destination NSW. “The resort will elevate that reputation by bringing a new level of luxury design that aligns with global travel experiences.  

“Importantly, this resort is not just about accommodation, it’s about creating a destination that integrates food, wine, wellness, art and landscape into a single experience. It also reflects a broader shift in tourism towards experiences that are place-based, authentic and deeply connected to their environments." 

The resort is expected to generate approximately $49 million per annum in economic activity and create up to 479 jobs in construction and operations.

Dominic Lambrinos, Managing Director of HVL Hotels, said the project marks a milestone for the region. 

“Laval is the answer to a longstanding gap in the Hunter Valley’s luxury accommodation segment. It represents an ambition to do something that hasn’t been done before, on the most magical piece of land within the valley." 

The location

Laval Hunter Valley is situated in the hills of Pokolbin, NSW, on a historic, 66-hectare site that was formerly Lindeman’s Estate and Ben Ean Estate. The hotel promises panoramic vistas of undulating rural terrain and working vineyards overlooking the stunning Broken Back Range. Guests can opt to arrive via private helicopter for exclusive access and aerial views of the scenic Hunter Valley landscape.  

Creating a fluid sense of continuity throughout the resort, the gardens are dotted with dream-like plant formations, meditation areas and art installations designed to spark conversation and internal calm. Developed by Lisa Howard of TCL Landscape Architects, they will also feature a Wollemi pine grove and a gorgeous 25-metre red-tiled pool beside the resort’s shiraz vineyard.  

More than 6782 vines and 21,000 plants of 300 different species will be planted around the estate in efforts to restore the location’s former agricultural glory. The ecological regeneration project aims to rehabilitate birdlife, butterflies and insects.  

The accommodation

Laval Hunter Valley offers 65 pavilion-style luxury villas highlighting exceptional views to the vineyards just beyond. Interiors by Some Studio and architecture by EJE Architects deliver a sense of light, warmth and connection to the surrounding landscapes, with sculptural elements delivering contemporary flair. The jewel in the hotel’s crown will be the Wabi-Sabi-style Presidential Villa by renowned Surry Hills architecture firm Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. 

A collaboration with Bang & Olufsen – a first in the southern hemisphere – will integrate fluid, intuitive technology throughout the property, while a tech-enabled arrival system will allow guests to check in anywhere.  

The spa

It’s not just the villas that inspire relaxation. An on-site 1,000-square-metre wellness space will span two levels, modelled on a European style. 

Designed by Nikki Lambrinos, the wife of HVL Hotels Managing Director Dominic Lambrinos, the spa will introduce world-class medical-grade treatments to Australia, on top of offering thermal circuits and restorative therapies. 

Alongside outdoor meditation meadows, sensory gardens and yoga platforms designed to help regulate the nervous system, a 100-square-metre gym framed by vineyard views supports physical training. And rounding out the experience? A sauna and salt room for mindful recovery.  

The dining

Laval Hunter Valley’s dining is spearheaded by Justin North, who describes the culinary concept as a set of “intentional contrasts" blending sun-kissed Mediterranean influence with regional provenance.  

At signature restaurant Vallery, guests can expect a rotating à la carte menu that brings together inspiration from Provence, coastal Spain and southern Italy, along with subtle Japanese botanicals sourced from the onsite kitchen garden. As far as setting goes, the restaurant offers a dreamlike, surreal sculptural space backed by warm hospitality. 

Vino die-hards will be smitten to know the hotel also boasts an impressive 10,000-bottle cellar tunnel featuring both Hunter Valley and global producers, along with rare private collections with Coravin by-the-glass delivery. The wine program will be curated by Jon Osbeiston.  

“I’ve been in the industry for about three and a half decades now, and my career has evolved a lot over the years, and this is one of the most important projects I’ve ever done," North said.  

The art

Art is a central pillar of Laval Hunter Valley; the estate is home to one of the world’s largest collection of artworks by Gillie & Marc – famous for their quirky, large-scale Dogman and Rabbitwoman sculpture characters.  

Each room will feature several unique Gillie & Marc sculptures, as well as digital artworks, prompting personal reflection and nodding to the Lambrinos family’s longstanding love of the artists’ distinctive work. For guests with a keen interest in art, the resort will offer curated art tours delving into Dogman and Rabbitwoman’s recurring themes of love, joy and nature-human connection. 

“What really stood out to us was that our art isn’t just being added at the end as decoration; it’s being built into the story from the very beginning," Gille & Marc said, emphasising how their art lives within the hotel’s landscape rather than competing with it.

“We’ve spent our lives creating work that brings people together, and we connect them with nature, so being part of a project where that connection to nature is so strong just feels like a perfect fit."

Presenting a tick-all tourist destination with diverse luxury offerings, Laval Hunter Valley is bound to bring a fresh influx of domestic and international travellers to the beloved Hunter Valley region.