The Hunter Valley Crowne Plaza

I suppose that it was rather incongruous on arrival at the Crown Plaza Hunter Valley to experience what you think is normally an urban brand within the setting of a golf course, picturesque vineyards and the rugged Brokenback Ranges, but Crowne Plaza does have other hotels in non urban settings, for example in Terrigal, so I should not have been surprised.

What did surprise me though was that the owners of the hotel, Sydney based investors and developers and the operators, Crowne Plaza have created a very smart, contemporary and what could be described as slightly minimalistic hotel with a cavernous lobby area to greet guests and huge windows providing a backdrop to the Hunter scenery and doing little to detract from it.

There is no doubt that the new Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is setting a benchmark for quality in the Hunter right across all aspects of the hotel from the excellent staff, something the GM, Neil Houghton pictured right with the very happy, smiling and very professional front office supervisor Jacinta, prides himself and his team on, the excellent food, the very high quality rooms and suites and quite simply, basically just the way it has all been very well pulled together.

Of course, you have to remember that the hotel has only been open six weeks, so the grass and trees need to grow a little and there is a drought, but do not let that detract you in the slightest from making a visit and checking our their special deals, by clicking on http://www.crowneplaza.com.au/huntervalley

While it has excellent facilities, what the Crown Plaza Hunter Valley has managed to do in a very modern setting is encompass everything you actually expect from a traditional “olde worlde” hotel and it takes a few minutes to realise what this is and, you guessed it, it is down to the people, the excellent staff.

Just 2 hours drive north of Sydney, the hotel is ideally located in the heart of the wineries, appropriately on Wine Country Drive and not surprising, eating and drinking became the catalyst of The Mole’s visit and isn’t that what the Hunter is all about?

The Crowne Plaza is an easy drive from all the wineries and vineyards or you can pick up one of the shuttle buses or take a private tour, just ask the concierge! 

It is also a great place for large and small meetings, with its proximity to Sydney being an important factor, but also the very extensive, state of the art facilities that the Hotel offers, transforming the Hunter as a conference and meeting destination.  Check out their web site for more details. http://www.crowneplaza.com.au/huntervalley

The range of amenities in the 220 room and 12 suite, (all non-smoking) hotel is very extensive, with the room very well equipped with particularly nice bathrooms and real long baths to laze in!

The Crown Plaza Hunter Valley has one of the biggest pools The Mole has seen in a hotel in a long time, rivalling some that call themselves resorts but only offer a piddling little pool – not here!  This one is very smart indeed and a great place to do a few lengths to work off all that food and wine – or perhaps even better just float around!

There is also a very large spa alongside the pool which was great for languishing and reading the papers, when not undertaking the strenuous work of visiting wineries or cheese factories!

Laid out across a low rise two floors for eating and drinking, if one must (!) the Crown Plaza offers its main restaurant, Redsalt, which has great views across the golf course and pool and is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, focussing on the best quality local produce matched with a good wine list and very knowledgeable staff. 

The man to talk with in the restaurant has to be Chris Hamilton, so look out for him as not only does he know everything about the restaurant and hotel, providing really great friendly, passionate and very professional service, but he is also the man to ask about all those hidden gems of the Hunter, about which he talks with great knowledge and passion – well done Chris.  Also look out for Lara, one of the happiest smiling waitresses that made a difference to our visit for certain.

Before dinner for a cocktail or after dinner for a wee dram of the fabulous collection of over 50 whiskys, (no doubt reflecting the GM’s previous role in Scotland!) the nearby Vista Lounge is the place to be with a very different methylated spirits powered fireplace that works very well indeed – by the way, Brendan is your man for the malts!

Downstairs for daytime drinks and snacks and located near the entrance to the golf course and pool area is the Grapevine Bar, with a very extensive range of imported beers and some cool cocktails!

So, where better for that break you have been yearning for all year, one that you do not have to travel to far for which defeats the purpose of the break in the first place and one The Mole knows you will enjoy, than the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley – who knows you may end up organising a conference there too!

The Mole suggest that you and your clients check it out – visit http://www.crowneplaza.com.au/huntervalley

Report by The Mole on the road!