Put This Luxury Lodge in the Heart of the Hunter Valley on Your Must-Visit List

We’ve partnered with Tower Lodge to share why this sophisticated stay in the heart of the Hunter Valley should be your next luxury getaway.

With world-famous wineries, delicious epicurean experiences and incredible scenery, there’s much to love about the Hunter Valley. Just two hours from Sydney, it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle, making it the perfect destination for those wanting a winter escape. 

And there’s one luxury estate that’s the perfect place to serve as a “home away from home” in the Hunter. Located on 40 acres of park-like grounds and vineyards, Tower Lodge embodies the very best of the region.

With Spanish-style architecture, generously appointed rooms and exceptional cuisine, it exudes a relaxed elegance that elevates it above your average Hunter Valley stay. 

From the grand suites to unmatched fine dining, here’s why this unique property should be on any must-visit list.

Each of Tower Lodge’s 14 generous suites is individually styled, featuring grand king beds, luxury ensuite bathrooms and separate areas made for resting and relaxing. Bespoke decor and quirky design details - from magnificent in-room statues to unexpected gallery wall displays - make for delightful discoveries around every corner.

Inspired by classical Spanish regional aesthetics, with modern touches peppered throughout, each room has soaring ceilings, textured flooring and giant soaking tubs. Several suites boast open fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs, with the premium Tower Suite home to a rooftop hot tub with stunning vineyard vistas, a separate living room and a c1550  four-poster bed from Rajasthan.

The considered design continues throughout the property, with all rooms centred around a warm terracotta plaza.  There's also a satellite pool, sauna and walking paths, offering guests the chance to take the day at their own pace and explore the grounds. Don’t be surprised to see kangaroos appearing on the property or hopping through the neighbouring vineyards at sunrise and sunset.

While the property itself is fit for royalty, it maintains a warm and friendly “family” feel - with owners Michael and Karen Hope welcoming guests as friends. In fact, Tower Lodge - which lies just across the road from Hope Estate - remains a family affair, with the couple's son Sam looking after the guest experience at the lodge and elder son Jonno supplying free-range Angus beef to the estate from the family’s farm in the upper Hunter.

Speaking of food, Tower Lodge’s on-site restaurant is the place to be for those looking for an unmatched gastronomical experience.

Headed up by esteemed Chef Anthony Fullerton, who has a passion for showing off the Hunter Valley’s premium produce, the restaurant puts good food, good drinks and memorable experiments at the centre of every dish.

Set under high wood ceilings, the restaurant and adjoining lounge and terrace areas are the setting for breakfast, long lunches, sunset sips and a la carte dinners, with a menu that’s designed for both sharing and formal dining.

Expect a wide range of premium produce sourced from the estate’s own beef and greens, and other local small farms and suppliers. From entrées like seared scallops with cauliflower cream and chorizo crumb and prawn and white fish cappelletti with lobster bisque, to mains that include dry-aged fillet of Aquna Murray Cod, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder and hand-selected cuts of beef, every bite is a delight.

Mirroring the Hunter Valley’s intrinsic connection to food and wine, the menu is not only delicious, but simple, unpretentious, inspiring and hearty (and, of course, made all the more flavourful with an accompanying glass from some of the region’s world-renowned wineries).

Located on the Tower Estate grounds, guests can enjoy a complimentary whiskey flight tasting at Tower Whiskey Distillery, the Hunter’s first whiskey-tasting distillery. 

During the hosted experience, you’ll learn about the process of whiskey production and the story behind the distillery’s first four initial single malt, single cask releases (No B1 Bourbon Barrel American Oak, No. 7 Malbec French Oak, No. 3 Shiraz American Oak and No. 9 Fortified French Oak).

All produced on-site, you may just find your new favourite sip - and pick up one to take back to your room to enjoy beside a roaring fire. 

For a limited time, Tower Lodge is offering an all-inclusive midweek winter escape special offer. Enjoy three nights at the cost of two, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, beverages from an extensive list, a generous in-suite mini bar and Hunter Valley cellar door connections and booking concierge service. 

The Tower Lodge restaurant is open seven days a week, for both guests and the public. Lunch is from 12 pm and dinner from 6 pm.