Your complete guide to staying at Rydges Hunter Valley

By Kristie Lau-Adams
hero media
Endlessly convenient and decked out with creature comforts, Rydges Hunter Valley is one of the region’s most outstanding stays.

Bed and breakfasts are cosy but for serious extravagance in NSW’s beautiful Hunter Valley, a resort with all the bells and whistles reigns supreme. It’s why we return to Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, a colossal 418-room resort that caters for googly-eyed couples, rowdy families and every type of get-together in between.

From an 18-hole golf course and extravagant day spa to an on-site brewery and kid-friendly water park, there are memory-making activities for every member of your tribe.

Location

Let’s sort our bearings. The wine-soaked Hunter Valley is located about two hours north of Sydney and an hour west of Newcastle, and Rydges Hunter Valley is an ideal base to launch into everything it’s famed for. Situated at the gateway to wine country and around the corner from De Bortoli Wines, Hungerford Hill and Peterson House, some of the region’s finest cellar door pit stops, the resort lies at the foot of Broke Road, which will take you right into central wine country.

the front exterior of Rydges Hunter Valley

Rydges Hunter Valley is at the gateway to wine country.

You’re also a five-minute drive to the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park and a ten-minute drive from the township of Cessnock where you’ll find supermarkets, speciality stores and loads of eateries.

a train strolling around the vineyards at Rydges Hunter Valley

Rydges Hunter Valley offers a great base to explore the wine country.

Style and character

The former Crown Plaza Hunter Valley was relaunched as Rydges Hunter Valley in 2023 and the property underwent significant renovations to mark a new era. The vibe is contemporary splashed with country-chic, with exposed brick, plush carpets and soft leather seating warming up communal areas. The grounds are impeccable as glossy gardens and state-of-the-art facilities (the complete list is extraordinary and explored in full below) are well maintained.

While the property is massive, the vibe is surprisingly intimate thanks to that considered styling and a team of always-attentive staff.

the lounge of Rydges Hunter Valley

The hotel ambience evokes contemporary and country-chic.

Facilities

There are hundreds of Hunter Valley wineries to explore outside, but really, you could spend an entire weekend leaning into everything Rydges Hunter Valley has to offer.

the pool at Rydges Hunter Valley

Take a refreshing dip at the spacious pool.

Take advantage of two swimming pools (including one that’s adults only), a spa, a 24/7 gym, electric vehicle charging stations, tennis and basketball courts, kangaroo tours, electric train rides and a water park for the kids (more on family-friendly attractions further below), a golf course, a day spa, and the Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley, the hotel’s on-site brewery. Then there’s the half a dozen dining options to explore (more info on those further below, too) so rest assured you’re totally catered for from the moment you drop your bags.

the Ubika Day Spa at Rydges Hunter Valley

Luxuriate with a massage and facial at Ubika Day Spa.

Ubika Day Spa

Securing a hotel with an on-site day spa is always a treat but at Rydges Hunter Valley, guests are especially spoilt. Ubika Day Spa is one of the region’s most lavish self-care destinations, offering a treatment menu inspired by the seasons and utterly heavenly any way you slice it.

a woman having a facial at Ubika Day Spa, Rydges Hunter Valley

Get yourself pampered at Ubika Day Spa.

You’ll struggle to choose from a range of massages, facials, foot therapies, body treatments and beauty treatments, plus there are Vichy shower experiences, couples’ packages and infrared sauna dabbling to consider. The day spa’s most recent addition is their floatation tank which blends sensory deprivation and a calming float session to help you reach peak Zen.

a person lying face down during a stone massage at Ubika Day Spa, Rydges Hunter Valley

Treat yourself to a soothing stone massage.

Hunter Valley Golf Club

Prefer to unwind on the green? The Hunter Valley Golf Club is conveniently located on the grounds of Rydges Hunter Valley, open seven days a week. It’s a meticulously manicured golfing destination dotted with lakes and views of the Broken Back Ranges, so if it’s your first time behind a club, you’ll appreciate the sheer beauty of it right away.

There’s also a Pro Shop that’s stocked with clothes, clubs and accessories to get you looking the part, and an online course guide is also on hand to help you score an edge over your competitors well in advance.

the Hunter Valley Golf Club at Rydges Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley Golf Club is dotted with lakes and views of the Broken Back Ranges.

Rooms

Eliminating the stress of finding group accommodation in a well-trodden tourist hot spot, Rydges Hunter Valley houses a diverse collection of rooms.

one of the rooms at Rydges Hunter Valley

Bed down in one of the contemporary rooms with pool access.

Whether it’s the Standard Room, with either one King bed or two double beds, or the Three Bedroom 3 Bath Villa, a 144 square metres d home away from home, every choice comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, sleek bathrooms, a private balcony or terrace, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, a seating area, 24-hour room service and tea and coffee facilities. Clean, contemporary and endlessly comfortable, they’re a dream space to retreat to after a day of adventuring.

a standalone jet-bath at Rydges Hunter Valley

Retreat into a standalone jet bath for ultimate relaxation.

The villas also feature kitchen facilities and bedrooms, while the Pool Access rooms provide exactly what they’re telling you and there’s a suite with a jet bath for those seeking the ultimate relaxation.

an outdoor pool with sun loungers at Rydges Hunter Valley

Cool off at the pool right outside your room.

Food and drink

Whether you’re feeling fancy or craving a low-key feed, Rydges Hunter Valley has something for you. Start the day right by booking a table at the Redsalt Buffet Breakfast from 6:30am where a DIY pancake maker and chef station (omelette or made-to-order Eggs Benny sound good?) go beyond what you’d usually find at a hotel buffet.

fine dining at Redsalt Restaurant, Rydges Hunter Valley

The menu at Rydges is a sophisticated ode to local produce.

Redsalt Restaurant is also the hotel’s signature fine dining spot so if you return for dinner one evening, you’ll find it completely transformed into a sophisticated ode to local produce and exceptional seasonal flavours.

the restaurant at Rydges Hunter Valley

Dine something fancy at Redsalt Restaurant.

There’s also Lovedale Bar + Grill, a great vibe no matter when you visit as drink specials and live sports streamed on TVs are guaranteed to get the party started. It’s also situated right by the main swimming pool so it’s a great spot to feast on post-dip pizzas, burgers and other pub classics. If you’re there on a Friday or Saturday, you’ll also score a side of live music.

the Lovedale Bar + Grill in Rydges Hunter Valley

Have a tipple at Lovedale Bar + Grill.

Meanwhile, Vista Lounge is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks and an afternoon cheese board (they offer great cheese and wine deals), or if you’re there in the morning, it’s your coffee pit-stop. And if it’s just too hard to leave the cosy confines of your room, around-the-clock in-room dining is always a good idea with a late-night menu that includes ham and cheese toasties, nachos and pizzas.

the Vista Lounge at Rydges Hunter Valley

Pop by Vista Lounge for pre-dinner drinks.

Accessibility?

Smooth and roomy pathways help those with accessibility needs get comfortable at Rydges Hunter Valley, and better still, there are six Accessible King Rooms with extensive wheelchair accessibility. Wide hallways and increased space around the King bed, lower cupboards, purpose-built bathrooms with grab rails, shower chairs and lowered sinks, and the option of interconnecting rooms to accommodation for caregivers, ensure they’re just as plush as the resort’s regular rooms.

Meanwhile, there are wheelchair ramps right around the property, plus two lifts at either end of the main building to help guests locate their indulgences with ease. And while we’re talking indulgences, Ubika Day Spa caters to guests with accessibility needs and the Hunter Valley Golf Club offers tailored experiences for specific needs.

Rydges Hunter Valley is in fact one of the most inclusive stays in the state, taking out the NSW Accommodation Award for Excellence in Disability Inclusion and Access in 2023.

the lounge area at Rydges Hunter Valley

Rydges Hunter Valley has wide hallways that cater to guests with accessibility needs.

Family-friendly?

Is it ever. As one of the region’s best kid-friendly stays, Rydges Hunter Valley is a pure haven for little ones.

There’s a water park quite literally spilling over with slides, a grape-shaped splash bucket that dumps 600 litres of heated water at a time, cannons and jets to keep them busy.

the water park of Rydges Hunter Valley

Keep your kids entertained at the water park.

Plus, there’s a Ferris wheel, carousel, electric train rides (which are accessible to wheelchairs, too), kangaroo tours, the ‘Water Dragons’ kids club, a games room, school holiday programs, kids-eat-free dinner deals and more.

a kid sliding down a pink slide at the water park of Rydges Hunter Valley

The water park comes with colourful slides for little ones.

Details

Address: 430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale

Cost: From $229 per night.

Best for: Family-friendly accommodation near loads of attractions.

the pool view at night in Rydges Hunter Valley

Rydges Hunter Valley is a family-friendly stay equipped with modern facilities.

Unsure of what to do in the region? Here are 25 of the very best things to do in the Hunter Valley
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
See all articles
render of proposed luxury accommodation at ben ean estate
Hunter Valley

A new luxury resort is coming to NSW’s Hunter Valley

A new retreat is coming to the Hunter Valley, and it's set to redefine the meaning of five stars.

Read more
a couple relaxing in the outdoor tub at Billy’s Hideaway, Hunter valley
Hunter Valley

14 charming Airbnbs in the Hunter Valley for a weekend getaway

Sift through our top Hunter Valley Airbnb picks for a mix of romantic, luxury, family, pet-friendly and group getaway options close to the wineries of the Hunter Valley.

Read more
Inside the Beltree glamping tent in the Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley

17 Hunter Valley caravan parks and luxe glamp sites to escape to

Save on accommodation and pour more pennies into wine with a Hunter Valley caravan park stay.

Read more
an aerial view of Tower Lodge, Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley

21 luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley

Visit cellar doors for tastings, sample the region’s culinary delights and then book into the best luxury accommodation in the Hunter Valley.

Read more

A Hunter Valley stay with lakeside views, wine and a gourmet pantry

    By Katie Carlin
    hero media
    Continue
    The Lane Retreat gives guests VIP access to two of the region’s best wineries, an award-winning restaurant, an alfresco pizzeria, and an onsite gourmet pantry for a foodie-fuelled weekend that is low on fuss and big on value.

    I’m watching kangaroos graze in the last light of day from the deck of my Lakeview Studio at The Lane Retreat, wine in hand. I arrived a couple of hours earlier with my husband for a two-night stay at the Hunter Valley’s newest winery accommodation.

    I’ve been travelling to the Hunter Valley wine region for over 20 years, and I would like to think I’m well-versed in how to do it well, but one thing I’ve found it has often lacked is access to diverse accommodation options. That’s been slowly changing in recent years with the opening of unique affordable glamping sites, luxury stays in renovated vintage train carriages, and the new five-star-plus hotel planned for Ben Ean Estate.

    The 60 lakeside studios scattered alongside the historic Palmers Lane vineyard at The Lane Retreat are the newest addition to the region, and I’ve heard nothing but good things since it first welcomed guests at the end of 2023. Now, I finally get to test it out firsthand.

    Location

    Aerial view of The Lane Retreat in Hunter Valley

    The studio retreats are nestled between vineyards and a lake with the Broken Back Range as its backdrop.

    Located on one of Bimbadgen’s award-winning vineyards on Palmers Lane in Pokolbin, The Lane Retreat claims the craggy mountain peaks of Broken Back Range as its backdrop, a picture-perfect lake frequented by paddling ducks and elegant black swans, plus kangaroos can easily be spotted bounding through the vineyards and grazing around the retreat. It’s an eight-minute drive to Polkolbin Village and is perfectly positioned for a visit to any of the region’s 90-plus wineries.

    Style and character

    External view of The Lane Retreat studios

    The design of the studio retreats reflects the beauty of the environment from every angle.

    The eco-conscious charcoal cabins (they’re fitted with solar panels and run on tank water) are designed to optimise access to the natural beauty of the property through the use of glass in the floor-to-ceiling windows, doors and panels. From the outside, the reflection of the mountains, vineyard and sky gives the illusion that the studios are blending into their surroundings. While inside, we’re treated to unbeatable Hunter Valley views – sunset and sunrise offer primetime entertainment. The 60 studio retreats, owned by the Mulpha Group, were originally built to offer onsite accommodation to complement the Bimbadgen Palmers Lane wedding venue. And if you’re lucky enough to be staying during a wedding, it makes for a lovely vibe on arrival, as the high energy and excitement of wedding guests are palpable.

    Facilities and services

    Bimbadgen Estate in the Hunter Valley

    A free door-to-door shuttle service is provided to guests.

    A complimentary door-to-door shuttle service transports guests between the group’s cellar doors for tastings and dinner reservations. A service we make use of on the first night of our stay for an early evening Signature Tasting at Bimbadgen Estate, followed by dinner at the winery’s pizzeria that connects to the tasting room via the Tuscan courtyard. It was such a treat not to force one of us to be the designated driver or pay extra for a shuttle service. While we also had access to the shuttle between Emma’s Cottage and the accommodation the next day, I decided I’d prefer to drive us, but booked the free service again for dinner that night at Esca back at Bimbadgen Estate.

    A gourmet platter with goods from the Pantry at Lane Retreat

    Pick up all manner of delicious supplies from the gourmet pantry onsite to enjoy back in your room.

    It’s a five-minute stroll to The Pantry for a barista-made espresso coffee in the morning. But it’s also perfect for picking up a bottle of wine, beer, mixers, soft drinks or Night Merchant gin. There’s a range of snacks, including lollies and chips, as well as locally made treats like Cocoa Nibs chocolates and all the provisions needed to make a delicious cheese platter. I enjoyed browsing the homewares and gifts for sale, too.

    View of the heated pool at The Lane Retreat

    Pack swimmers to enjoy the heated pool all year round.

    There is a heated swimming pool (that I wasn’t brave enough to use during my visit) at the heart of the retreat, and the metal water bottles supplied in your room can be refilled here with cold filtered water.

    The room

    Interior of Studio Retreat at The Lane Retreat in the Hunter Valley

    The king-sized AH Beard mattress provides unbeatable comfort.

    We stayed at No. 32 in a Lakeview Studio Retreat, and when it comes to standout features, I’m torn between the bathroom and the bed. The double showers with two rain shower heads are an indulgent touch given the size of the studio room, as are the double vanities, heated towel rails and toiletries by Melbourne natural skincare company Hunter Lab. The AH Beard king-sized mattress was extremely comfortable. Rarely do I prefer a hotel bed over my own, but this one delivered.

    Bathrooms of studio retreats at The Lane Retreat

    Oversized bathrooms are a much-appreciated indulgence.

    Soothing greens and terracotta feature heavily throughout the interiors – from the art to soft furnishings and the sofa. There is also a dining table for two and a kitchenette that includes a fridge, microwave, coffee machine and kettle, as well as all the basics: cutlery, mugs, plates, bowls and glassware.

    Food and drink

    Breakfast provisions at The Lane Retreat

    Delicious breakfast provisions are left for guests in the kitchenette.

    There is no onsite restaurant, but The Pantry provides the perfect walkable option for snacks, coffee and drinks. Breakfasts are also taken care of with gourmet breakfast hampers included. We had Brookfarm muesli topped with Paris Creek Farms organic blueberry yoghurt, fresh sourdough with jams and butter and cold-pressed juice and milk.

    Pizzeria at Bimbadgen Estate

    Wood-fired pizzas are pumped out to happy customers in the Tuscan courtyard.

    Bimbadgen Estate has two dining options: the award-winning flagship restaurant, Esca, and a pizzeria. The estate is a short drive away (make use of the free shuttle service) and we dined at both during our stay. The pizzas were cooked to doughy perfection and a glass of the 2019 Signature Shiraz paired with it beautifully.

    Dessert from the autumn menu at Esca

    The menu at Esca changes with the seasons. (Image: Katie Carlin)

    Esca Bimbadgen delivered one of the best meals I’ve had in the Hunter. The award-winning fine dining restaurant’s menu changes with the seasons, and you can choose between the Signature Experience, which includes five courses and a wine pairing option or select from the à la carte menu. We opted for the latter and chose garlic buttered king prawns with romesco and capers; kingfish ceviche topped with sesame dressing, tomato water, strawberries and bonito flakes; and shared rosé panna cotta with candied pastry, rhubarb and macerated strawberries for dessert.

    The gourmet platters at Emma's Cottage

    Build your own gourmet platter to enjoy alongside a tasting at Emma’s Cottage. (Image: Katie Carlin)

    Emma’s Cottage, Bimbadgen’s other cellar door, serves up a build-your-own grazing platter to dine in or take away. The menu features Binnorie Cheese, salumi tuffle, Hunter Valley Foods quince paste, Pepe Sayo butter, Mount Zero mixed olives, as well as fresh baguettes, crackers, chutneys and more. But I’d recommend staying and enjoying your platter with a tasting of the Alter Wines, Bimbadgen’s alter ego; here, the winemakers get to be a bit more experimental with what they produce, with excellent results.

    Does The Lane Retreat have access for guests with disabilities?

    Yes. The Studio Retreat – Accessible features a fully accessible room and bathroom.

    Is the Lane Retreat family-friendly?

    Lakeside views at The Lane Retreat

    The lakeside views are pretty even in the rain. (Image: Katie Carlin)

    Families are welcome to book. The studio retreats are designed to sleep two and are more suited to couples or friends, but each studio is clustered together with three or four others, so you’ll be accommodated well when travelling as a group or for a multi-generational family getaway.

    Is the Lane Retreat pet-friendly?

    Dogs are welcome at The Lane Retreat for an additional fee per night. There are also terms and conditions to abide by.

    Does the Lane Retreat offer wedding accommodation?

    Yes. The Lane Retreat can accommodate up to 120 guests across 58 individual retreats. They also offer a Bridal Preparation Suite for the day, and if you host your wedding at Bimbadgen Palmers Lane venue, guests get a discounted rate for their stay.

    Details

    Friends by the firepit at The Lane Retreat

    Take advantage of the winter escape package.

    Best for: Romantic winery stays or Hunter Valley wedding accommodation

    Address: 409 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin, NSW

    Getting there: The Lane Retreat is a 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney. Newcastle Airport is a 50-minute drive from the Hunter Valley and direct flights are available from Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

    Price: The Lane Retreat is currently offering The Winter Escape Package, priced from $341 per night when staying a minimum of two nights in a premium studio retreat.  The package also includes breakfast provisions for two people, a bottle of Bimbadgen Shiraz, a S’mores Kit to toast by the outdoor fire pit, a wood-fired pizza lunch at Bimbadgen for two and a late checkout until noon. The offer is subject to availability, some blackout dates apply and is valid for stays until August 31, 2025.

    Check-in process: You check in online prior to arrival and receive a unique code to access your studio (twin share and fully accessible options are also available).

    Discover the best things to do in the Hunter Valley while you’re there.