Our best quality getaway and luxury stay ever in the NSW Hunter Valley
‘The Convent‘ 4-star heritage accommodation hotel at rural/tranquil 88 Halls Road (off Broke Road; a 15 minutes easy drive west of Cessnock town in the heart of the best of the Hunter Valley wine region)…
This convent of Coonamble town was in 1991 saved from impending destruction and instead relocated holus bolus by an entrepreneur benefactor investing in multiple road truck transports to save and relocate the building 600km east to Pokolbin.
It is a legendary feat and story.
There is a moral beauty to this religious building and of its valued savour from destruction.
Crikies, look at its restored place today!
Privately, we were blessed by a rare and magically gifted opportunity to visit and stay three days in Pokolbin (NSW Hunter Valley) at this luxury heritage resort in August 2025.
Fortuitously the weather was clear skies, sunny, no wind and so unusually mild during this couple’s two day stay amidst an otherwise continuous Australian winter East Coast Low.
Native birdlife calls from early morning and everywhere and local kangaroos…
So how lucky were Sue and I ?
Blue sky window magic for our three days! Our ‘Excalibur’ tour vehicle arrives on a quiet Tuesday afternoon outside ‘The Convent’, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley, New South Wales. As Sue’s checking in, this driver takes a moment to photograph.
Everything about this stay oozes classic quality thought of the designers and owners. We thoroughly recommend it as a getaway.
Our photo from inside the entrance hall looking out to the extensive tree-lined entrance driveway.
And inside?
A very chic lobby – the wood fireplace was blazing upon our winter arrival.
And the staff friendly or what? Receptionist Chelsea upon our arrival was amazingly welcoming, helpful and so genuine. Fabulous and thank you!
A few interior photos of The Convent’s hallways:
The upstairs hallway
The upstairs hallway outside our room
Now the design of the staircases are unique. They uniquely feature these Christian shaped balustrade posts throughout. It is because they are real and very meaningful. Therein underlies a special historical story to this original Convent and it is one worth telling.
Our ‘Superior’ Room:
And below was our balcony view to the front of hotel through our French doors access upstairs:
Incredibly, we had this entire upstairs verandah vista to ourselves. Magic/Karma?
Our booked upstairs ‘Superior’ ensuited double room – photo centre with bathroom light left on, my wife and I manage that full front upstairs balcony all to ourselves! Check the driveway entrance’s classic Par Terre garden fountain pool!
I just wish to sincerely thank the wonderful Chelsea and you many contributing gifters to me behind the overgenerous voucher rewards of thank you to me and my wife to allow us to choose this special and memorable getaway experience place.
Thank you. I put it down to Karma. In times of crisis we help strangers in need when we have the capacity and will to do so. One seeks no reward. But a bunch of flowers like this frankly in spades leaves a fabulous legacy to me.
I am so grateful.
We are all free.
PS. I am not going anywhere. You know my number.
Steven Ridd
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