I’ve never been one of those people that has only thought that hotels and places to stay are a place to simply lay their head. To me, a hotel is a home away from home and I like to bury myself in the hotel room, just me and the bath, room service, mini bar and the internet connection and tv and I’m happy as a clam. It’s probably why I am so fussy about the rooms that I stay in-just call me Adrian Monk 
. And if we are assigning blame it should probably go to my parents who are similarly finicky. And although I know it is a rite of passage for many I have never backpacked. In fact my sister tried backpacking once and after a night fled to a hotel. You see it’s simply not in our gene pool as silly as that sounds…
Lobby
Guest library
So when Mr NQN and I were invited to visit the Hunter Valley on the first weekend of the Hunter Valley Food & Wine Festival in June and visit the exclusive adults only Tower Lodge we were very excited. For only last year did it win the “Global Luxury Lodge” award at the World Luxury Hotel Awards. A member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux group, they proudly display the golden fleur de lys emblem at every turn. And our agenda for our time there was perfect. It would start with a high tea, plenty of time in the room itself and then finish off with dinner at Nine the intriguing restaurant set 9 feet under the ground. And we wouldn’t have to step off the grounds if we didn’t want to.
I’m a nervous driver all the way up the Pacific Highway but once I hit the freeway things are good. We arrive at Tower Lodge 2.5 hours after departing Sydney (2 hours for most but I’m on my Ps and 90kms/hour is my limit ). Established in 2000 it is decorated in a Spanish mission style and features turrets and imposing towers.
Entranceway to room #6
Each of the twelve rooms is decorated uniquely although all of them have antique doors, unique bedheads and double baths with each room having a different personality. There is a heated outdoor pool, sauna and a gym on the premises and we walk through the stunning guest lounge and bypass the library and baronial dining room.
Dried fruit plate
We’re shown to our room, number 6 and it is a beauty. It is replete with whimsical touches, antiques, painting and the pair of wooden boot lasts to greet us. The bathroom is enormous with a bath and there are two antique shower heads (pretty but they do splash every-which-way), Molton Brown toiletries, robes and slippers and a stunning bed which I immediately fall upon messing it up. A plate of dried fruit and sweets greets us and there are several places for curling up and lounging and stretching upon as if you were Goldilocks trying to find a place to rest.
Guest lounge
The baronial dining room
Our high tea is scheduled for 3pm but having had a small breakfast and no lunch we’re very peckish so we ask if we can have it at 2pm instead and it is no problem at all. The high tea here is $42 per person or $56 for the champagne high tea. And there is also afternoon tea which is offered complimentary to all guests between the hours of 3.30pm-5pm. Civilised! As it is only available on Saturdays and Sundays it books up quickly and is only available for 15 or so diners and we witness a large group experiencing disappointment at not having a booking for this.
We’re not silly, we go for the champagne high tea. After all there is no driving needed this evening as we are dining in house. Andreas the maître de maison or the host lives on the premises and greets us and explains the high tea to us. He is from a three generation hospitality family and aims to bring a old world European touch to the lodge. Speaking of finding places to perch we have a beauty of a spot. Right in front of the crackling fireplace it is exactly where we want to be and the swaying crackling flames lull us into relaxing (and there’s no internet in the rooms so work simply cannot be done). We start with some Taittinger champagne bubbles.
Andreas hands us the menu telling us that the most pressing decision we will have to make is to choose a type of tea. I go for the Tower Blend which is an Earl Grey with vanilla and rose petals which is lovely and vanilley with the bergamot and we also choose the strawberries and champagne herbal tea which is a green tea and smells divine and is mild in flavour.
The three tier stand arrives and we start from the bottom. There are three types of sandwiches, a ham cheese and chutney triangle which is delicious with a lovely sweet and slightly tangy chutney; a smoked salmon and cream cheese which is my favourite and the chicken and mint which comes on a soft black bread.
We try the scone layer next. Now the scones aren’t warmed whereas I always like them warm so I will deduct one point for that but they are very moist. Usually Mr NQN won’t eat scones as they’re too dry but the moistness makes them moreish along with the house made raspberry jam and whipped cream (no clotted cream). In fact I wished there were more scones because they were moreish. The melting moment on the tier was beautifully short and sweet. Our third tier which is when I usually hit my sugar wall holds much promise.
There is a chocolate brownie sandwich cookie which has a moreish two layer of soft, squidgy brownie wedged together with some chocolate ganache, a lemon meringue tart which Mr NQN likes but I prefer my lemon curd more tangy to contrast with the sweet meringue top; a macaron which was unfortunately not very good as it was a plain almond one and had a large air pocket which prevented it from absorbing the moisture from the filling and a shot glass of panna cotta. The panna cotta was a vanilla one topped with balls of poached apple suspended in apple jelly and caused some rapturous moaning.
We sit back and enjoy our tea and get ready to take a nap back in our room such is the relaxing and lulling effect of the fire and then who should pop their head around the corner but my journo friend Heather and her daughter Kelly and their wombat mascot. They’re here for high tea too and interestingly they get a slightly different high tea-no macaron but fresh marshmallows and instead of raspberry jam they get marmalade. Heather asks for her scones to be heated and the raspberry jam.
We slowly make our way back to the room but not before wandering around the grounds. If we were so inclined we could play golf on their 18 hole golf course called “The Dinks” but who are we kidding? In our room I curl up on the day bed while Mr NQN reclines and reads his book before drifting off to sleep while the brightness falls and descends into dark. It’s an afternoon of relaxing and crucial napping and before we know it it’s time to get ready for dinner. Doing his duty as a Finn, he goes to switch on the sauna for some of his favourite Finnish ritual but unfortunately power is out to that whole side of the building. I run the bath and switch on the spa bubbles instead.
We get ready for the 7pm sabrage. What is sabrage? It is somewhat of a lost art form here in Australia but in Europe it is a tradition in some restaurants. Sabrage involves opening a champagne bottle with a sword in a very dramatic fashion. In some restaurants the first bottle of champagne in the evening is opened by sabrage and every evening at 7pm either a bottle of champagne is opened or another interesting tid bit occurs here at the lodge to make it more of an experience for guests.
Ready, steady…
Go!
Andreas fastens a length of string to the cork as a safety precaution (as the cork can fly out) and then takes the African blonde buffalo horn handled sword which is actually blunt on both sides. He loosens the metal collar and positions it just above the cork. He finds the seam, which is key and then with one swift motion slides the sword against the bottle and clips it just under the fat piece of glass around the rim and voila! The whole top comes off with cork, metal collar, and a smooth edged piece of glass.
Ta da!
Andreas has sabraged approximately 250 bottles and out of that number has only had a fail rate of 20 and that is mostly due to manufacturing defects or particularly old bottles that have suffered a knock. And what happens when a bottle goes wrong? Well one is left holding the round base of the bottle while champagne goes everywhere. And yes it has happened to him and a bottle of 1919 Krug champagne!
And would you ever shake the bottle before sabraging it? Only if you want a missile! Shaken champagne corks can travel up to 50 metres (164 feet) and if you’re after a little bit of an effect, Dom Perignon bottles always release some champagne due to the narrow neck of the bottle. And yes you can do this with sparkling wine and it is said to be easier with it as they have larger bubbles which means less volatility in the bottle. Our lesson for the day learnt, we take our drinks in the library with the soothing aqua colour scheme before we adjourn downstairs for dinner at Nine.
Formerly the legendary Len Evans’s cellar who helped the Australian wine industry immeasurably, it was used as a storage place before it was restored to become Nine the restaurant. The theme Nine is echoed throughout the whole concept. The restaurant is nine feet under, there are nine courses in the degustation menu, they have nine menus throughout the year (two for each of the four seasons plus a vegetarian menu) and it was open on the 9th of December 2009. The only divergence from the nine concept is that it only seats a maximum of twelve guests and is only open on Friday and Saturday nights! The Nine logo with the dot of the “I” underneath the I symbolises the underground position of the restaurant.
Literally half of the restaurant
We’re shown tonight’s menu which will feature for six weeks. This is the “deep Winter” menu and looks tantalising and even though there are nine courses, they do include amuse bouches and petit fours so we don’t feel like we will be overloaded with food. Our wonderfully deferential waiter is Stephane, formerly the manager and sommelier at The Rock which has sadly closed down.
Amuse Bouche served with Taittinger Champagne
Our amuse is a perfectly cooked wild yabbie tail with two discs of gelatinous bone marrow topped with cabbage shoots with a tube of foie gras mousse on the side. It is a delicious start to the meal with the marrow giving it a juicy, unctuous quality and the foie gras mousse being light and soft. Stephane explains that it is given in a tube so that people can use how much they like. I save some of the mousse to have on the excellent sourdough bread which is baked here and served warm.
Mushroom consomme, truffle pasta, parsley leaves served with Bellwether Chardonnay, Tamar Valley
I have to be honest, this wasn’t my favourite dish. It was a mushroom consomme which was quite mild and the consomme itself reminds me of when I soak porcinis and it was also served lukewarm. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t have the depth that I wanted and I couldn’t really taste the truffle in the pasta. At the bottom of the dish were white asparagus tips, morels and king brown mushrooms. I did like the porcini salt that came with it and used quite a bit of it to add to the soup. However I did love the chardonnay that was served with it though and I’m so glad to hear that chardonnay is enjoying a resurgence.
Steamed fillet of farmed, saltwater barramundi, sweet carrot mousse, sturgeon caviar, radish shoots served with Tulloch Verdelho, 2010 Hunter Valley
The fillet of North Queensland barramundi is lightly steamed so that it is soft in the centre and comes with a carrot mousse that is so soft and light and buttery that we wonder how they managed to place it on the plate in one piece (a guess, frozen and then it thaws? Are we over thinking it?). Both halves go wonderfully together with the buttery light sweet mousse and the soft barramundi and crunch is given with the croutons and dried carrot baton. And I have to make note of this Verdelho, even though I am a lightweight and not much of a wine drinker, this Verdelho is spectacular and the wines this evening are wonderful.
Ballotine of pigeon, bacon and crushed potato tian, port wine jus served with Louis Tete Moulin A Vent 2007 Beaujolais
The pigeon dish smells absolutely beautifully savoury when it is brought to the table. The pigeon is cooked pink and is wrapped in bacon and is paired with a crushed potato tian and a dab of port wine jus which is good but I don’t really feel I need it as I enjoy the intense savouriness of the bacon wrapped pigeon and potatoes. Some pieces of tangy sweet dehydrated apple and apple balls finish off the dish.
Before our last savoury dish of the evening, Andreas brings out one of the more mysterious residents of the Nine restaurant. He shows us a cobra like decanter called “Eve” which is made out of hand blown lead crystal. Eve was designed by Maxmilian Riedel and named after the matriarch of the Riedel family and once you fill it up then you turn it sideways holding it by by the coil and neck you spin it around to aerate the wine. Once you turn it and there is wine in the small receptacle it measures six perfect 120ml glasses of wine. For every “Eve” decanter made there are 16 discarded as it must measure the wine perfectly.
The goliath decanter that holds 1.5 litres
The Eve was sent to Andreas from George Riedel and was the very first Eve produced. It is insured for $6,000 (arrgh I must keep away, these are the kinds of things that I break!). Eve is used for younger wines but for older wines there is another decanter naturally called the Adam which features a completely dripless pouring spout. For magnums, there is Goliath who holds 1.5 litres of liquid. Goliath isn’t hand blown and is made out of thicker lead crystal. And Andreas tells us that they decant white wines too and not just reds.
The Adam decanter
To clean these decanters they use tiny stainless steel decanter beads which look just like those silver cachou balls that you decorate cakes with. Although the glass may look clean it often isn’t and they swish the decanter beads back and forth with warm water and the water slowly turns pink and the decanter is then air dried. Only three people are allowed to touch the Eve decanter and one of them isn’t me so I’m steering clear!
A Riedel Chardonnay glass
Another feature that we had noticed all evening was that there was a different glass shape for each type of wine. The chardonnay was served in an unusual glass shape and the steep curve was designed by Riedel so that the wine would be deposited on the front on your palate where chardonnay is said to be tasted.
Spiced infused medium rare loin of organic red deer, pickled red cabbage, pumpkin puree, baby onions served with Geoff Merrill GSM (Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre) 2006 Barossa Valley
The thing is about eating in a small restaurant like this is that you hear what everyone says to the waiter and this dish is clearly everyone’s favourite. It is three pieces of rare organic red deer loin atop a bed of pickled red cabbage with a swirl of pumpkin puree, an extremely sweet candied onion cooked until glossy and translucent, beetroot dust (which tastes just like beetroot) and carrot, leek and zucchini balls. Although the spicing is mild on the venison (I just taste a little cumin) the tender venison is perfect against the backdrop of vegetables and I find myself agreeing with the other guests.
Sorbet
Now the sorbet course is usually a little scoop to cleanse the palate but here it is more of an elaborate affair. Calamansi sorbet which is gorgeously tangy citrus fruit is served with dehydrated strawberry and raspberry and a trio of orange, mandarin and poached apple.
Roy des Vallees Cheese served with Mt Langhi Ghiran Pinot Gris 2008 Grampions
The cheese course, always a winner for me, is another standout. It is a Roy des Vallees (which means King of the Valley) cheese from France and it is a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s cheese and is one of the most expensive cheeses brought here. It has a wonderful texture and flavour and is creamy without being cloying and is one of those cheeses that you could eat and eat and eat. The sesame crackers are a little odd, they’re very crunchy but I prefer the cheese by itself along with the sweet hazelnuts and cleansing celery herb.
Chocolate chiboust, chestnut ice cream served with Mas Amiel 2006, Maury, France
The chocolate chiboust which is like an airy mousse comes as a triangle and is divine and light as air which contrasts well with the crispy chocolate tuile biscuits which comes shaped as a circle. The chestnut ice cream is good with chunks of chestnut although I find myself overextending and can’t finish the ice cream.
Petit fours
Petit fours are served out in the lounge and whilst it’s late we have one last little bite. They are a fruit jelly (oh so fabulous) and a buttered pecan which has a heavenly crunch and a smooth cocoa dusting on the outside. We’re full but not burstingly so, comfortably so and we return to our room to see that turndown service was performed (always a nice touch). There is a wrapped heart shaped chocolate by each side of the bed (I was secretly hoping for a truffle from Nine ) and the toiletries are replenished. As it’s past 11pm by the time we get back to our room we fall to sleep but one thing to do before you sleep is put on the mosquito repellent plug in because those little pests kept us up for much of the night buzzing and I didn’t actually see the plug in until the next morning.
The next morning we wake up and make our way to breakfast. It’s 10am and breakfast finishes at 10:30am but that’s no problem with the staff. We catch up with Heather and Kelly who are enjoying a sunny breakfast outside and join them for some bright Winter sun. There is a spread inside of pastries, breads, juices, four types of fruit as well as an excellent house made granola cereal which is replete with golden toasted macadamias and dried strawberry.
House made granola
I can’t help but pinch a ripe fig half and with celluloid memories of the cheese last night I cut off a bit of cheese too. And for good measure I get a chocolate croissant. I usually choose almond if it looks like a good double baked almond croissant. I’m not a huge pain au chocolat fan (sacrilege!) but these chocolate croissants are something else. Filled to the brim with a soft chocolate ganache and topped with ganache as well as a thick coating of chocolate flakes these were eagerly devoured by us.
Tower breakfast
We end up ordering from the a la carte menu as I’m not much of a continental breakfast person (I like eggs and hot things). There are pancakes, omelettes and the like and Mr NQN chooses the Tower breakfast which has a bit of everything and then some. It’s good and it is also huge and I taste a little bit of everything (I especially like the mushrooms) before getting onto my hot breakfast.
Feta and potato cakes
These were fantastically tasty although a bit oily on the plate which a paper towel would fix. The outside was lovely and crispy and browned and the inside cooked with the salt from the feta seasoning the potato well.
Eggs Benedict
Our last stop here is Tower Estates which is just across the way from the lodge. We get a little tour where we see how the wine is made. Here at Tower estate, they grow some of the grapes themselves but they also buy in a lot of grapes from the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania to make the wine here themselves.
French oak barrels
A large photo of Len Evans stands over the room and we go through their tasting trying 10 of the wines. They are known for their Semillon and in fact their Semillon sells out which is no mean feat in the Semillon rich Hunter Valley. We want to buy several of them but given our burgeoning wine collection we settle on the Tower Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009.
But we aren’t quite done with the Hunter Valley yet, after all there is lunch to be had…stayed tuned Dear Reader!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you prefer camping or backpacking holidays or do you prefer this type of place?
A wooden “Privacy” sign
NQN and Mr NQN stayed at Tower Lodge as guests of Tower Lodge
Tower Lodge & Nine Restaurant
Halls Road, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley,NSW
Telephone: +61 (0)2 4998 7022
www.towerlodge.com.au
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55 Comments | Add your own
What a beautiful resort that is, Lorraine! I’m like you — in a hotel I want to settle in and really make myself at home. This looks like such a cozy and charming place to do so! And I love that high tea — the panna cotta sounds to-die-for!
you get to travel so much, that i feel a little stupid reading this. maybe when i get older…
What an adventure. Haven’t had a chance to digest it all yet but it really looks like you had the Royal tour. The Hunter Valley becoming a great food destination isn’t it?
Sadly, I was eating breakfast when I read this post… now I’m only 15 minutes into a 9 hour working day and all I can think about is those scones!! What an absolutely stunning hotel, you lucky girl
Thanks for sharing!
Oooh, that was fun, I haven’t actually seen anyone wield a champagne saber before!
You aren’t kidding about nice. This is magnificent . I like nice hotels too but I don’t think I ever stayed in a place this gorgeous!
Again, Lorraine, your pics are magnificent ! How breathtaking they are!
LOL – it looks fab! I most definitely prefer this kind of place – roughing it, ewwwwww!
I want to stay there!!!!, isn’t the hunter valley such a relaxing place to visit….*sigh*
my oh my – everything looks simply wonderful!
While I love camping holidays – a little luxury is also divine!
AMAZING!!!
Seriously, seriously jealous.
Had heard of “Seventh Heaven”, now I know there is a “Ninth Heaven”!
I can see why your standards are so high. You’ve stayed in some amazing places, and once you do, the bar is definitely set higher for all others to come. Those wine carafes are amazing. I always wonder how one cleans those things, though. I just have a rather normal looking one, and let me tell you, it is not the easiest thing to clean at all. Hah. Still, it looks impressive.
I have been to this Lodge, only for high tea and was very impressed, loved the decor, felt like i stepped into a different time. Will def go back again. You have a great job Lorraine
What a delight to find a totally different post again! Thank you’ Lorraine!
! One matter both my husbands agreed upon: I could ‘nest’ withing minutes of arriving in a hotel room, suitcases whisked away, everything unpacked, books, magazines, flowers – home! And tho’ I love nature, camping never has been ‘my thing’. 
! Love the look of the place – the huge bedroom with the tiled floor and area rugs. The ‘high tea’ looks like the ‘real’ thing, tho’ am still oldfashioned enough to wonder about panna cotta being on the tier? Would love to have that degustation dinner – all bar one odd thing – for me, and that is me – the ‘sabrage’ is a totally unnecessary bit of ‘showing off’ – a serious dining room does not, methinks, need gimmicks!
Wow that looks fabulous! I’m quite similar to you when it comes to “roughing it.”
You are just so cute with the references to driving!! I’m a nervous driver too.
I can’t think of anything more hideous than back packing. I do not want to be in close proximity to people snoring and farting in the night!!
What a lovely resort. Would love to check it out. Big fan of the hunter valley. It’s great that is so close to us. Must say very cool privacy sign.
It feels like we have just enjoyed the weekend with you. Great pictures, generous descriptions and such a beautiful setting. Were the Eggs Benedict served on crusty grain bread? Just loved your Hunter stay with excellent food, impeccable service (and expensive Reidel decanter – what history). x
Your back-packing story reminds me of me. We were booked into an hostel for 3 nights at the start of a long trip. I walked in the door, took one look around and walked straight out to a hotel. I’m more of a nice hotel girl. My mums says why leave home unless it’s going to be much better and I like to stick to that!
Oh wow, that’s just the perfect getaway, Lorraine! And gorgeous high tea too… Had a good laugh when I read your story about ‘sabrage’, Jean is usually very good at it except last time he did it, when he ended up in the hospital with a really mean cut!
PS: did you get to meet my friend Kylie while you were at Tower Estate?
Oh, I’m definitely with luxury all the way. As long as I don’t have to pay for it …)
Another fabulous post, Lorraine! I’m so tempted to stay at the Lodge, too… no backpacking here.
I’m a Riedel fan from long ago and their glassware feels so good in the hand. Even water tastes better! If you’re feeling the lure of the Eve decanter, check this out: http://bit.ly/mUo0QA – start saving gold coins for Christmas shopping. :}
Wow lucky you Lorraine. Tower lodge is fabulous. When I worked in the wine industry we did a wine tasting there and were given a tour of the guest rooms. All were fabulous.
Hi Myriam- oh no we didn’t meet her while we were there! Oh no, poor Jean!
So THAT’S the story of Adam and Eve?
, TRUE!
Thanks for another food experience…enjoyed about “sabrage” too!
WHOO HOO!
Ah, memories! For my birthday (in March) my mother bought my husband and I a weekend there. We stayed in the Oriental room – complete with an external, old style wooden hot tub! After dinner at ‘nine’ we retired to our room for a soak in the tub (that the staff had poured for us while we ate dinner) and proceeded to listen to Neil Diamond belting it out at an outdoor concert some kms away. Most amusing! An incredible place to stay where nothing is too much trouble.
Your photos are exquisite!!
We stayed here a few years back and were lucky enough to meet Len Evans too. I think this place is the best in the whole of Hunter.
It’s luxury all the way for me! I’m definitely not the camping type – illustrated by the fact that I spent my 30th birthday at qualia on Hamilton Island…
I guess it’s the city girl in me… but I’d rather stay home than risk not knowing when my next shower will be
The breakfast looks so good! Puts my quick McCafe breakfast to shame!
The whole experience looks wonderful. The decanters!! I want and adore the decanters!!
Tower Lodge was designed by Architects Paul Rolfe and Rebecca Cleaves. Paul is living and working in New Zealand and has been the Project Architect for a variety of Award Winning buildings. His website is under development.
http://www.paulrolfearchitects.co.nz
Rebecca Cleaves is living in Hong Kong.
Backpacking is my idea of hell… and camping I could tolerate for 1 or 2 nights, but the thought of packing, unpacking, repacking then unpacking and cleaning at home is enough to make me want to stick a fork in my eye.
Kelly and Wussell the Wombat say hi. The pictures are divine. I notice the shadowy figure in the lobby, in the first photo, looks very familiar. Great to have you company, as always. Heather X
Such a seriously divine getaway! I certainly prefer this sort of comfortable luxury to roughing it out. I was never the athletic kind – more of a Charles Xavier sort of person than an Erik Lensherr one, if I may be so geeky to use an X-men analogy!
I thought the barramundi dish was dessert for a second! But no, no,the real dessert involved chocolate and chestnut, and was therefor designed to make me ultra envious!
wow Lorraine! this post is just fab!! everything looks so amazing:)
Not a happy camper and never will be, ” I’m guilty your Honour”, I love luxury and The Tower Lodge is just that and more. Hubby and I stayed here about 3 years ago , unfortunately we weren’t able to try Nine as it wasn’t completed but we did dine at Roberts restaurant which is one of the best in the Hunter.
Like Vicki above, we were in the Oriental room, oh so spacious and decked out with authentic antique Chinese furniture. thoroughly enjoyed our stay and couldn’t fault anything. Andreas is the perfect host and makes everyone feel welcome , it’s not long before you feel totally relaxed. I’m on their mailing list , we’ll be heading up to the Hunter region in August so it’s very tempting indeed !
I want a real hotel room thanks! I might go for ‘glamping’ if I was offered an African safari, but no roughing it! I stayed in a backpackers once…. NEVER AGAIN!
Oooooh, how fabulous! I’ll have to add this place to my travel list! Hopefully it’s in my price range. Speaking of wine regions, I’m heading to Mudgee this weekend. Yay! Thanks for yet another captivating post.
This looks a lot better than the Hilton Ben and I stayed at!
What a beautiful place!!! And amazing food too. Guess what? I am like you… I adore travelling, but I have never backpacked!!!!
I definitely prefer this type of place.
But my budget tells me backpacking….. or at least low cost motel. :~(
No camping for me. I mean how would you lay in bed with your laptop, while watching “How do I Look?)
I’ve been known to call housekeeping for more flat sheets to surround the comforter, to keep things sanitary. (the adrian monk in me too).
~The Tower Lodge is stunning…the rooms appear to take on characters of their own like peices of ART.
The decor & food honestly took my breath away.
Lorraine, you give your readers so much.
What can we give you? xxx
I haven’t seen anyone weild champagne sabers before either…. awesome! And… have to agree lovely…, backpacking aint in my gene pool either. (this all looks wonderful, I’ll be back tomorrow to pour over ever word.. I confess to skimming & drooling over all the the yummy pics only this evening!!)
I do love a good high tea! I would have been disappointed to have been given marmalade with scones too, it’s just not right!
I used to like backpacking when I was younger but i’m well past my days of shared dorm rooms & bathrooms these days. Luxury is fantastic – especially if i’m not the one forking the bill
OMG… that lodge is divine! Your room looks so comfy… especially the bed
… the high tea looks so yummy! OMG… but it’s so expensive! I definitely wouldn’t mind making that lodge my home away from home 
This post has left me feeling as if I’d been there myself although there is a bit of leftover hankering for some of that food.
“postal perfection” in my book!
I die…
Being a Hunter Valley lover (we did get married there after all) I’ve always wondered what Tower Lodge was like – because of the luxury prices!
Looks like a lovely escape. It’s amazing the difference in wine with different glasses. I love the various Riedel decanters.
I’m a fan of camping, but I wouldn’t say no to luxury either
We stayed at Tower Lodge a couple of years ago and it was really lovely. I think we had the same room as you did – snap! Each room is decorated differently (we were there with some friends so we got to check out a few). Love the meals in the communal room, sitting around the fire while someone brings you drinks, great food…hmm…might be time for another visit there!
Hi Faith-Isn’t it lovely?
Isn’t it nice to be in comfort! 
And with panna cotta too! 
Hi Michelle-Oh really? Why is that?
Hi tania-It’s great and it’s not too far which is nice too!
Hi jess-hehe oops sorry!
I know, those scones were so good! 
You’re very welcome! 
Hi Celia-hehe you and me both!
Hi Maris-it’s really stunning isn’t it!
Hi linda-Thanks so much Linda! You are too kind
Hi Cakelaw-Thank you!
Yes roughing it is no vacation! 
Hi muppy-Oh you should!
Yes a lovely detour for the weekend 
Hi Lisa-it was fantastic! I have to admit I haven’t been camping much!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Absolutely!
Hi Megadrama-haha yes that is definitely ninth heaven!
Hi Carolyn-Yes I feel licensed to be fussy!
They explain it a bit later in the story by using decanter beads. Very clever! 
Hi Ana-Oh fantastic!
And yes it’s instantly relaxing! I certainly do I won’t argue with that 
Hi EHA-Thanks Eha!
Haha yes it’s important to feel at home don’t you think? 
I love nature too but camping is just too much for me 
Hmm that may be true about the idea of the panna cotta but I have to say that once tasted there was no looking back 
Oh well you see I like a bit of theatre!
Hi Lucy-yes roughing it just isn’t anywhere near as fun!
Hi Margaret-Thanks! It’s nerve wracking isn’t it! haha you said it!
Hi Dressed and Eaten-Oh you should, it’s really lovely and as you say it’s very close to us! I know, isn’t it gorgeous?
Hi Merryn-thank you!
Well that’s what I try and do so that’s very flattering that you say so. I didn’t get to try the Eggs benedict I’m afraid! I know, there’s so much to experience there! xxx
Hi Claire-Haha brilliant!
And at least you tried. I’ve never tried 
I’m with you and your mum!
Hi bronnie-haha you’re hilarious!
Hi Eva-Thanks so much Eva! Yes no backpacking here for sure! Ooh that is very tempting as a gift for Mr NQN!
Hi barbara-Thanks, isn’t it great! Yes it’s very interesting how each room is different. I would have loved to have seen the other rooms but I think it was a full house!
Hi Joanne -haha yes!
You’re very welcome Joanne! 
Hi Vicki-what a fabulous birthday present!
Now that is an amazing room I hear! Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday-as you absolutely should! 
Hi chopinandmysaucepan-Thank you so much!
I agree it definitely is a cut above 
Hi Leanne-Yep I’m with you! Ooh I love Quailia! Those pavilions are amazing aren’t they!
Hi Mrs.Lodhz-haha nothing wrong with that at all!
We ate so much at breakfast!
Hi Sara-I know, aren’t they brilliant?
Hi Rebecca-Thanks
Hi Holly-Yep it’s hell isn’t it? There’s no other way to put it for me. I love showers too much!
Hi Heather-Thanks for the unexpected but wonderful company! I hope Kelly and Wussell are doing well!
x
Hi Midge-It is sublime
Hahah yes me too, I’m just not cut out for roughing it and neither is my family so I’m sticking with it! 
Hi Hannah-haha was it the carrot mousse?
It was destined for you wasn’t it!
Hi blackbookkitchendiaries-Thankyou so much!
Hi Matilda-I’m so glad that there are so many like minded people here!
Oh yes what a shame but perhaps another visit is in order. Roberts is great, that’s where we went for lunch! 
Do you think you’ll visit in August?
Hi InTolerantChef-yes real hotel, real beds, real sheets, real luxury!
Hi Amy-it’s definitely one to add to the bucket/travel list
Have agreat time in Mudgee! You’re very welcome!
Hi Blond Duck-Yep it’s in a different league to Hiltons!
Hi Manu-Isn’t it!
haha I’m so glad! I thought that everyone in the world backpacked!
Hi Charlie-Here here!
Oh well perhaps in the future! 
Hi Angela-I know, it’s just so much more stressful! Haha you’re HILARIOUS! Love it!
Hi kim-yes they’re so uniquely stunning!
Oh thank you Kim! You don’t need to give me anything, just the fact that you read and comment is wonderful! xxx
Hi Anna-I know, it was so new for me too but very impressive! Hehe yes all the way to luxury for us!
Hi Phunk-Isn’t it great!
I know, a jam is the proper thing for scones. I was surprised at the marmalade too! Yes there’s nothing like luxury!
Hi Stephanie-Isn’t it fabulous? Hehe me too!
Hi Maureen-that’s wonderful! except for the leftover hankering for the food though!
Thank you!
Hi Roz-haha!
Hi Chanel-perhaps it’s a place to go back to on an anniversary!
I know, I’ve never seen that detail before!
Hi spiceandmore-Oh isn’t that cool that we got the same rooms!
yes I really wanted to see the other rooms! Oh yes that fire…so wonderful 
That looks like a wonderful place. I have done backpacking in my time, but will always choose comfort over cheap nowadays..
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[...] just two hours away from Sydney. We had just checked out of our luxurious home away from home at Tower Lodge and were here for lunch. Both properties are owned by the same people. When we drive up to the [...]
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