Meet a new Hunter Valley retreat for larger groups

 

No matter how many hotels, guest houses and B&Bs open up in the Hunter Valley there never seems to be enough accommodation on busy weekends. 

A new luxury house for hire, capable of sleeping up to eight people, adds to the options on offer from Hunter Valley Stays. 

Acacia House is a 120-year-old four-bedroom traditional timber house featuring high wooden ceilings in the hamlet of Branxton, which boasts a pub, butcher, bakery, café, general store, golf course and public pool, all within walking distance of the property. 

It is just a short drive to the delights of Wine Country Drive and the famous vineyards of Pokolbin, Lovedale and Rothbury for some gourmet tastings. 

Described as being "packed with character" Acacia House has been designed as an escape for groups of friends and families, including four-legged family members. 

There are four bedrooms; two bedrooms with king split beds, one bedroom with a king-sized bed, and the fourth bedroom has a queen-sized sleigh bed. 

There are a total of 2.5 bathrooms; one with a clawfoot bathtub and walk-in shower, another with a shower over the petite bath. 

There is a living/dining room and country kitchen with an ornamental cast iron stove, French door fridge, dishwasher, oven and coffee machine.

An outdoor undercover terrace has a large dining table, barbecue and pizza oven, while the garden has an outdoor hot tub and a hammock. 

There is also a games room with pool table, Pac-Man arcade game, Smart TV, PlayStation 2, dartboard, selection of board games, and outside basketball hoop and trampoline. A separate bathroom is also located in the games room.

Tariffs from $1000 per night (Thu-Fri, Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun) or midweek from $750 per night. 

See https://www.huntervalleystays.com.au/hunter-valley-accommodation/acacia-house

So you'd like to rent a luxury holiday home in Australia?

Some of Australia's finest private homes will soon be available to rent after Spicers Retreats announced the launch of Private Collection by Spicers. 

Inspired by the pandemic-driven demand for tranquil, nature-based getaways, Private Collection by Spicers will launch in September with a portfolio of high-end properties in iconic locations across Australia. 

Spicers plan to have over 50 private homes in the Collection within the next 24 months with destinations including Hamilton Island, the Barossa and Port Douglas. 

Properties will range from beach shacks to snow chalets with mountain views - and will include properties owned by Spicers founders the Turner family. 

Already confirmed are two retreats owned by Spicers Retreats founder Jude Turner and her husband “Skroo” Turner (the Flight Centre co-founder and CEO). 

They are the First Point apartment overlooking Main Beach in Noosa (top) and the Beach Shack on Belongil Beach in Byron Bay. 

Asgard House (above) in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland will also be part of the collection. 

David Assef, managing director of Spicers Retreats, says: “It’s the perfect time to expand our offering to meet the high demand for unique holiday experiences. 

"The luxury home market is a natural fit and extension for our brand and we are excited to open up these beautiful homes for people to come and stay.

“Celebrating our incredible natural world has always been a great passion at Spicers,” he says, “and people need an energising escape now more than ever.”

Private Collection by Spicers will be headed up by David Lacey, a 40-year hospitality veteran from the Hunter Valley. 

Bookings will be open from September 1. See https://spicersretreats.com/private-collection/