Ever since I started travelling nearly 20 years ago, I’ve always had a fascination with staying at unique accommodation.
I once stayed on a floating hotel, known as the Botel, in stunning Amsterdam, and I’ve also stayed the night under the stars in a luxury Bubbletent at beautiful Capertee Valley near Lithgow.
There’s something about these types of properties that bring me plenty of joy, so when I had the opportunity thanks to Luxury Escapes to stay at a former boarding school / nuns convent over in the Hunter Valley, you can imagine my excitement!
These days, The Convent Hunter Valley is an amazing five-star, 19-room luxury boutique hotel nestled on a private estate in Pokolbin, surrounded by vineyards and gardens, but its former life as a boarding school run by Irish-born Brigidine nuns is incredibly fascinating.
Built in 1909 in Coonamble – some five hours west of Pokolbin – The Convent Hunter Valley served as a Roman Catholic convent and boarding school for the Brigidine Order for 70 years.
After closing in 1980, the timber building was rescued from demolition in 1990 and transported in sections 600km east to its current location at the end of Halls Road in Pokolbin.
The historic convent was then carefully reconstructed by a team of builders and engineers, and repurposed into the 19-room luxury hotel that we see today.
Recently, I was lucky enough to spend two nights at this wonderful property, staying in a Superior Suite that was once a place where boarders slept all those years ago.
Perhaps my favourite part of my suite wasn’t the high ceilings, comfy bed or vintage furniture, instead it was the dual access I had to The Convent’s second-storey veranda, which had gorgeous views of the property’s well-manicured gardens and showpiece water fountain as well the working vineyards in the distance.
I just loved being out there on the veranda when the sun was setting, enjoying a glass of local wine and my delicious takeaway cheese platter from the nearby Binnorie Dairy.
If The Convent looks familiar to you in my photos, that’s because it’s the location for where the Seven Network’s ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ is filmed.
Another highlight of The Convent Hunter Valley is that it’s located on the same estate as several other standout venues, including the renowned Pepper Tree Winery and historic restaurant Circa 1876.
Set amongst the estate’s historic homestead, vineyards and kitchen garden, Circa 1876 has long been regarded as one of the Hunter’s most distinguished dining experiences.
I met Circa 1876’s recently appointed executive chef Anthony Fullerton during my visit and he was very impressive – I couldn’t wait to taste his food!
Anthony brings more than 35 years of experience to the Circa 1876 kitchen, and his menu captures the warmth and generosity of provincial France, expressed through local Hunter Valley ingredients.
Guests can choose to dine from a two-course set (lunch only) for $90 per person, or three-course set (lunch and dinner) for $120 per person.
To start the meal, Hunter Valley sourdough and Coppertree Farms cultured butter was served to our table alongside Adina mixed olives and olive grissini.
For our entrées, my wife and I tucked into the Seared Scallop as well as the Tortelloni, while for our mains, we were well fed with the Manning Valley Grassfed Striploin and the Aquna Murray Cod.
Before arriving, I heard plenty about the desserts at Circa 1876 and they didn’t disappoint!
We selected their famous Crème Brûlée as well as a slice of their freshly baked Walnut & Pear Cake with coconut, orange and pineapple chili sorbet.
The next morning, my wife and I didn’t have to go far to enjoy breakfast, with The Convent Hunter Valley home to their very own on-site restaurant simply called Restaurant Eighty Eight. Here, they just serve breakfast and they do it very, very well.
Spending two mornings there, we got to enjoy most of the menu with the Waffles with maple syrup, berries and mascarpone cream being my favourite, while my wife very much enjoyed her fried eggs on sourdough toast with smoked salmon, truss cherry tomatoes and spinach on the side. Each guest also gets to select one hot and one cold beverage when they dine for breakfast, making Restaurant Eighty Eight great value as well!
Following a day of visiting nearby wineries, breweries and local chocolate shops, it was that time again for dinner and what better way to end our short stay in the Hunter than dining at Spicers Vineyards Estate’s Restaurant Botanica.
Located just a 10-minute drive from The Convent, Restaurant Botanica recently underwent a comprehensive refurbishment and appointed new head chef Thomas Heinrich to launch an entirely new seasonal menu.
Thomas’ career spans leading luxury hotels across Australia and North America, and he applies this background to a modern Australian menu centred on seasonal ingredients, regional producers and refined technique. Dinner is offered as a three-course menu for $115 per person, with an optional $70 wine paring.
For our entrees, my wife and I had the Wild Mushroom with porcini broth as well as the Sautee Prawns, while for our mains, we couldn’t go past the yummy Charred Grilled WA Fremantle Octopus, as well as the Roasted Cauliflower with coconut curry and chickpeas.
And to finish off the evening and to toast my 15 years as a journalist at the Western Weekender, we enjoyed two mouth-watering desserts – the Honey and Labneh Ice Cream and Mandarin Sorbet – plus a glass of their very best vintage Tawny.
I’ve spent some time at the Hunter Valley before, but it wasn’t a luxurious and fulfilling experience like the one detailed above.
The Hunter is full of brilliant accommodation options, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere as unique, as charming, and as historic as The Convent Hunter Valley.
It’s truly the Hunter’s hidden gem, and it’s waiting for you to check-in.
For exclusive offers and to book your next stay, visit http://www.luxuryescapes.com.
The writer stayed as a guest of Luxury Escapes.
Nathan Taylor is an experienced print and digital journalist who has worked in the industry for more than 15 years. He has travelled the world extensively, with some of his favourite destinations being the United States and Bali.