The Urban List - December 2022
If it's luxury you're seeking on your next road trip, like hatted restaurants, renowned day spas, countryside manors, foodie adventures, or secluded retreats in stunning locations—look no further. We're just dropping in here to remind you that we have some of the most stunning resorts and hotels in our own backyard in NSW.
Here are 24 of the best regional hotels, retreats, and resorts in NSW right now.
Greyleigh
Kiama
With jaw-dropping views out across Kiama's famously beautiful rolling green hills, Greyleigh is an otherworldly getaway perfect for big groups and families. Set high up on 200 acres of pristine hinterland, the early 19th-century farmhouse has been lovingly restored, complete with whimsical and luxurious details from interior designers Dominique Brammah and Shannon Shlom of We Are Duet. Since opening in 2021, Greyleigh has quickly become an ultra-popular wedding destination thanks to its secret garden and stunning refurbished dairy shed, The Gables (which can host up to 20o for a Yellowstone-esque reception).
Fancy weddings aside, Greyleigh holds its own as a group getaway, with room for up to 18 across two private houses: The Homestead and The Guest House. As well as an enviable country-style kitchen decked out in delightful jade-coloured cabinetry, a long dining table on a terrace with a view of the Pacific, and multiple plush bedrooms, Greyleigh also features a sprawling vegetable garden, a heated pool and cabana area, wood-fired pizza ovens, and a landscaped fire pit to toast marshmallows on summer nights. During your stay, check out the "Greyleigh Gems" experiences on offer—you can book everything from massages, private helicopter tours, pasta-making classes, and yoga on the lawn. You're also moments from the centre of town at Kiama and the region's beautiful beaches.
Osborn House
Bundanoon
Osborn House is easily one of the most beguiling boutique hotels to open in NSW, if not Australia, in recent months. The stunning Southern Highlands manor quietly opened its doors to guests in February 2022, complete with 15 unique suites and seven self-contained cabins, each looking out onto the beautiful garden and forest beyond. Design lovers will swoon over the property's magnificent details—a perfect mix of country charm and sleek luxury splashed in shades of emerald green. The interiors are the work of London-based designer Linda Boronkay (Soho House) alongside Sydney-based Mac Design Studio, led by interior architect Alan McMahon.
As well as looking the part, at Osborn House, you can also indulge in the 25m lap pool and an ultra-luxe spa with four treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, cool plunge, and gym. The on-site restaurant is led by executive chef team Segundo Farrell and Luz Gimenez, with a focus on cooking over fire. Make sure you plan a stay around Osborn House's "Fire Feast", an immersive Sunday afternoon BBQ experience led by Farrell.
Soma
Byron Bay
If your wish list includes acres of tranquil forest, a freshwater infinity pool, a geodesic yoga dome, wellness add-ons, and a little notoriety by way of featuring in a star-studded TV series—you’ll want to take a look at Soma.
Yes, if it looks familiar, this stunning Byron Bay retreat was the backdrop for Nine Perfect Strangers. Set on 22 hectares of rolling green hills and lush bamboo forest, Soma is a quick 10-minute drive from the centre of Byron, boasting maximum hinterland privacy. In real life, it is a wellness retreat run by technology entrepreneur Peter Ostick and sought-after wellness and meditation practitioner Gary Gorrow. As well as its wellness facilities—the infinity pool, yoga dome, fire pit, zen garden, infrared sauna, and magnesium ice bath—there are 10 luxury guest rooms, each fitted with a king-size bed and rain shower.
QT Newcastle
Newcastle
Built into the 113-year-old heritage-listed former Scotts Limited and David Jones building on Hunter Mall, the QT Hotel is a welcome addition to the Newy scene and the perfect excuse to visit the city. The mood of the hotel is coastal drama—rich jewel tones and plush designer furniture feature throughout the hotel's 104 rooms and suites, which are also filled with natural light from the sparkly Newcastle harbour. The ultra-cool Clock Suite has been built around the building’s dome and clock, with its plus-size bath sitting pretty directly behind the hands of the clock.
During your stay, make sure your book a table at the groundfloor restaurant Jana, led by Michelin-trained executive chef Massimo Speroni. The chef wields his Michelin flair (from San Domenico and Café le Paillotes in Italy) for a fresh take on a modern Australian bar and grill.
Spicers Tower Lodge
Hunter Valley
After a $6 million renovation, the iconic Tower Lodge in Pokolbin reopened in July 2022 under the Spicers umbrella. It's now the third Spicers property in the Hunter, which is good news—despite the Hunter's popularity with travelling Sydneysiders, luxe accommodation is pretty slim pickings in the area. Each of the Spanish-inspired hotel's 14 rooms features spacious bedrooms, lounges, dressing rooms, and new bathtubs. Some rooms come equipped with fireplaces, sunny courtyards, and outdoor hot tubs too. Be sure to book yourself in for a meal at Sebastian Restaurant. Inspired by the Basque Country and San Sebastian, here you can work your way through a luxurious seasonal five-course menu ticking off things like Basque Pipparrak chili pepper bread and koji-aged turbot.
The Wool Store
Bathurst
The Mount Panorama circuit might have put Bathurst on the map—but these days there's a bit more happening in this timeless gold-rush town beyond the Supercars Championship. For starters, Matt Moran moved in, reopening The Rockley Pub just south of Bathurst. Reckless Brewing set up shop in Bathurst in September of 2022, becoming the city's first craft brewery. And The Wool Store launched in the same month—a former wool store, built in 1875, now converted into a series of five luxury New York City-style lofts and one sprawling four-bedroom penthouse complete with panoramic views of Bathurst.
From the team behind Wilga Station, Mez and Hamish Keith, The Wool Store's five lofts sleep between two and four, while the penthouse has space for eight. Luxury touches are dotted throughout each space, while some elements of the building's past remain—like original wooden beams and exposed brick walls, the loading doors, and the gantry. Here, you're in prime position to explore Bathurst with pretty Machattie Park just next door, and the town's cafes and restaurants within walking distance. As well as exploring Bathurst, you're also not far from the Orange wine region's many cellar doors.
Marramarra Lodge
Berowra Waters
ust one hour from Sydney on the peaceful Hawkesbury River, Marramarra Lodge is the kind of place where you can kick back, soak up curated wines, spend an entire day lounging at the in-house day spa, partake in sunset canapes, take a helicopter ride to the Hunter Valley, or even frolic along on an oyster expedition.
Framed by the stunning Marramarra National Park, this recently-built luxury lodge is only accessible by boat from Mooney Mooney and Brooklyn. You’ll kind of feel like you’re on your very own private island at Marramarra—the property caters exclusively to a max of 28 guests and when you book a stay here, you can expect an all-inclusive approach so you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Emirates One And Only
Wolgan Valley
Nestled in the lap of the Greater Blue Mountains, Emirates One and Only Wolgan Valley is a seven-thousand-acre retreat that gives city escapees a chance to immerse themselves in nature without skimping out on any luxuries.
Take the three-hour drive yourself, or book a chauffeured transfer (by luxury car or helicopter) to the stunning retreat, where you check into your very own one, two or three-bedroom villa. Festooned with private pools, verandas overlooking the mountains and fireplaces to keep you cosy, dropping temperatures pose no worry to the resort. With three dining options, celebrating the garden-to-table philosophy and local ingredients available, and gourmet picnics, an award-winning spa, horse riding, nocturnal wildlife and bush walks that can be curated to fit custom preferences for a family or romantic getaway, Emirates One and Only Wolgan Valley is truly the place to be.
Halcyon House
Cabarita Beach
Sydney’s favourite getaway spot Byron Bay is home to a boutique hotel that is pretty much the embodiment of summer. Located on the shores of Cabarita beach, Halcyon House’s blue and white façade blends in perfectly with the colours of the Pacific Ocean, creating the ultimate relaxing escape where you can forget all your troubles.You can choose to stay in one of 21 rooms and suites, each one designed to be unique with vintage furnishings and art, personally sourced by Brisbane based interior designer Anna Spiro and hotel owner Siobhan and Elisha Bickle. Treat yourself with a romantic lunch of the best local seafood and seasonal produce at their hatted restaurant Paper Daisy, then wind down for the evening with a full body massage at the Halcyon Spa.
Blackbird
Byron Bay
Edging away from the classic beachfront location in a seaside town, this luxury accommodation in the Byron Hinterland is here to show you Byron Bay is not just about the beaches. Set in a backdrop that embodies nature at every turn, Blackbird is framed by rainforest and boasts unrivalled views of Cape Byron and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy solitude and privacy by booking your very own detached living pavilion, which comes with complimentary bubbles on arrival, a wine and cheese board, daily turndown service and a 24-hour concierge. Enjoy immersing yourself in nature amongst natural waterfalls, native flowers and trees or lounge in the Magnesium mineral swimming pool as you enjoy the ultimate escape close to home.
Pretty Beach House
Central Coast
The Central Coast’s best-kept secret might be in the Bouddi Peninsula. Set above Pretty Beach, framed with panoramic views of the ocean lies the ultra-exclusive luxury lodge Pretty Beach House.
Divided into four separate pavilions, the large rooms house a king bedroom, separate dressing area, open plan sitting area, outdoor day bed, fireplace and premium minibar. The property takes its inspiration from the coastal environment and earthy interiors and bespoke furniture pieces reflect soft, relaxing colours designed to make you feel at home. The main house has an open plan kitchen, dining area, sandstone fireplace, day spa, outdoor infinity pool and even a pizza oven for when you want a casual poolside dinner.
Milton Park Country House
Bowral
With its large estates, manicured gardens, and winding roads lined with deciduous trees, Bowral in the Southern Highlands can feel very much like the English countryside (this probably has something to do with Bowral's past as a rural summer escape for the gentry). Milton Park Country House is peak Bowral in this sense—it's a converted manor house inspired by the country hotels of Europe. Basically, if Downton Abbey is the mood you're in—this is the spot to live and breathe it.
Prep your camera for the ivy-covered pool house, wisteria archways and bluebell fields, book a garden suite to wake up to views of the courtyard and rolling green paddocks beyond, and schedule a little self-care time at the luxurious wellness spa.
Kyah
Blue Mountains
At such an easy distance from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is one of our favourite weekend destinations—packed out with ancient forests, epic hikes, breathtaking scenery, and buckets of fresh mountain air. Opened in December 2021, Kyah offers a whole new reason to visit the Mountains. Set across two acres at one of the highest points in the Blue Mountains, this reimagined motor inn features a tennis court, steam room, fireplaces for wintertime, vegetable gardens, one of the Southern Hemisphere's oldest cherry blossom trees, and a sprawling 170-seat on-site restaurant, Blaq.
Paperbark Camp
Jervis Bay
Home to a beach which boasts of some of the whitest sand in the world, Jervis Bay is a mere two and a half hours from Sydney. It’s also home to a camp like no other. Paperbark Camp has been running for over 20 years, offering a blend of nature and fine food and wine you can enjoy in the heart of the Australian bush.
The canvas, safari-style tents are built above the ground to be low-impact on the delicate coastal environment and to capture the sea breeze, and boast wrap-around decks, hardwood floors and bespoke hotel amenities including handmade soaps and lotions. Take the extra step and book yourself into the King Deluxe tent with its bush facing bath, to relax under starlit skies with nature all around you.
The camp’s restaurant The Gunyah follows the same blueprint. Built among the treetops, the dining room, reception and communal lodge area has large open windows to let in the summer breeze and an open fireplace for when it's chilly. Swap travelling tales over paella every Saturday night, or enjoy your morning toast with a sneaky visit from resident possums, it’s all a part of the Paperbark Camp experience.
Spicers Vineyards Estate
Hunter Valley
Also from the Spicers family, this luxe Hunter Valley hotel is the perfect spot for a romantic weekend. In the heart of the Hunter, you will find the estate nestled in eight unobstructed acres of private vineyards and natural bushland. Chill out in front of the fireplace in one of 12 luxury suites, complete with heated floors, mini bar, rain shower, and roomy spa bath for soaking—wine in hand, of course.
Indulge in cheese and wine tastings, or make a booking at Restaurant Botanica—the hotel's onsite restaurant and one of the best restaurants in the region. The menu incorporates freshly picked produce, with seasonal ingredients and some of the best Hunter wines to match.
Jonah's
Whale Beach
While the Northern Beaches is still technically very much a part of Sydney, we'd argue that once you've driven around the cliff bends at Bilgola, you're officially in a different beach paradise where the pace is a little slower. Over at Whale Beach, the quiet cove before you reach Palm Beach and the tip of the peninsula, Jonah's is one of Sydney's most revered destinations. Complete with an award-winning restaurant, infinity pool with uninterrupted views of the ocean, and just 11 ultra-exclusive suites, this is where to stay if you want to feel like a celebrity on vacation. Pro tip: skip the traffic and take the 20-minute scenic seaplane from Rose Bay.
Bannisters
Mollymook and Port Stephens
Owned by renowned British chef Rick Stein and his wife Sarah, both Bannisters properties demonstrate the couple’s love for nature, calming ocean views and fresh, beautifully cooked seafood.
In Mollymook, Bannisters by the Sea is exactly what a seaside hotel should be, soothing, minimalistic colours, uninterrupted azure views of the Pacific Ocean and 34 rooms, most of them featuring a private oceanfront balcony. Nestled in a quiet corner, a few minutes’ walk from Mollymook beach, guests can choose between luxury suites, or go all out with a group of 6 people and book the Cameron Kimber Penthouse. Ocean vistas, a day bed dotted deck, a clifftop spa and a private Hamman steam room are just some of the perks you can enjoy at this unique property.
The more recently opened Bannisters Port Stephens combines luxurious escapism and laidback style like its older sister, Bannisters by the Sea. This four-star hotel has been painstakingly restored from an iconic retro motel into a stylish boutique getaway location, surrounded by water and lush koala habitat. Aiming to recreate classic beach holidays, the rooms are dressed in calming, pastel colours and have views of lush gardens or the dazzling Karuah Bay, Soldiers Point and the dolphins that call Port Stephens home. Bannisters Port Stephens is puppy friendly, so you won’t have to worry about leaving your furry family member behind when you visit.
Both properties would be incomplete without a restaurant by Rick Stein and the award-winning chef does not disappoint. You can experience Stein's concept of ocean-to-plate with the incredible, locally sourced seafood menu at the on-site restaurants of both properties.
Nimbo Fork Lodge
Snowy Mountains
Located in the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park, Nimbo Fork is the perfect escape if you love the mountains and want to curl up with a good book and hot cuppa. Offering six, luxury riverside cottages and five suites in the main lodge, the warm furnishings and breath-taking views combine luxury with tradition and the raw beauty of the natural surroundings.
Have drinks by a blazing fire before sampling the seasonal menu, and local, sustainable produce from the neighbouring Riverina district. The lodge offers fly fishing, horse riding, and bike riding, but you’re just in the mood for a bushwalk, grab a gourmet picnic basket filled with an assortment of local treats for an outdoor picnic like no other.
Raes On Wategos
Byron Bay
A bit like the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard, every corner of this stunning hotel and spa could be torn from the pages of Vogue or a Sofia Coppola movie. From the sky blue loungers dotted around the pool to the wooden shutters, tropical garden, ocean views and Mediterannean-inspired restaurant—every detail has been considered. Suites are bright and breezy, fitted with large baths, luxury linen and Lucy Folk-designed towels. If beachside, fashionable, and exclusive is your vibe—Raes is the place for you.
The Jackson Ranch
Bawley Point
From the team behind Bannisters, The Jackson Ranch opened in December 2021. Hidden within 37 acres of peaceful natural forest at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast, its ranch aesthetic has been inspired by Montana, meaning yes—you can live out all your best Yellowstone dreams here.
The Jackson Ranch is perfect for weddings and group getaways, with accommodation for up to 30 across five renovated cabins, as well as a 120sqm event space and two bars for pre and post-wedding celebrations. Of the cabins, The Homestead is the largest, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a fully serviced kitchen and living and dining area. It also features a fireplace, sunny deck, and—so fancy—a private dam and pontoon.
Bangalay Luxury Villas
Shoalhaven Heads
Named after the Bangalay Sand Forest that surrounds it, this beachside retreat is a little paradise a stone's throw from the gentle roar of Seven Mile Beach. Featuring a collection of 16 villas and an onsite restaurant and cafe, this is a place to escape the bustle of the city and settle into a slower pace. Each villa is super spacious with everything you need at your fingertips—a full kitchen, lounge and dining areas, laundry, enormous rain shower, your own private deck, fireplace and (of course) Netflix, Stan and more for cosy nights indoors. Book your stay here.
Byng Street Boutique Hotel
Orange
Set in the heart of Orange’s heritage precinct, this 4.5-star hotel is the mark of luxury, unique style and sophistication. Restored from a family home, the front of the Byng Street Boutique Hotel is the heritage homestead "Yallungah" built way back in 1896.
Acquired by the Nock family in 2014, the restoration has left a unique accommodation in its wake. Many features including the slate roof, timber joinery and brickwork have remained untouched in an ode to the bones of the building. Drawing inspiration from existing buildings, local artists and the surrounding landscape of Orange, each of the 22 rooms and suites has been designed to be unique and tasteful. Enjoy an all-inclusive breakfast in the Yallungah dining room, or coffee with your newspaper in the sun-dappled Guest Lounge.
Goonoo Goonoo Station
Tamworth
Originally built in 1831, Goonoo Goonoo Station is now a sublime mix of history and modern architecture. Located on the Liverpool Plains, Goonoo Goonoo Station has a range of accommodation options to pick from. Perfectly suited to families or groups of friends looking for getaways, you can choose to stay in cottages that can house up to 10 guests, with ample space, modern features and amenities like daily laundry service, Wi-Fi, a full kitchen, lounge room and balcony included.
Their state of the art Glasshouse Restaurant offers a view of sweeping hills and glimpses of the Liverpool Range, with award-winning chefs creating seasonal, delicious dishes. Many of the products are made from scratch, using foraged greens, house-smoked and aged meats, homemade pickles and more, encouraging visitors to learn more about native produce and local agriculture.
Flash Jacks
Gundagai
The tiny, country town of Gundagai has been a favourite of many writers. Proof of this lies in Flash Jacks, named for a Banjo Patterson poem about a shearer who travels around New South Wales.
Built into one of the grandest buildings in the little town, this nine-room, boutique hotel features a contemporary take on country style, with decor and textures inspired by the pioneers of Australian wool, timber and steel. Stay in one of the Premium King Rooms, complete with a custom-made king-size bed, high ceilings, bay windows and your own book nook, which is bound to give you the motivation to get through that reading list.
Article by Sammy Preston. Full article here.
