Hunter River Retreat — Hotel in Newcastle-Maitland

We recently stayed on our holiday from Tasmania. Beware that the cleaner leaves the clientele reviews and NOT the owners. Despite the fabulous location, the cottage was dusty and dirty, 2 rolls of toilet paper supplied for 3 adults for 3 days, dirty lounge, layers of dust and debris on window ledges, overflowing gutters that hadn’t been attended to in years and the owner tried to blame this on the weather- really? Dirty old outdated cookware, abominable driveways that again they tried to blame on the weather. Well how about you attend to these serious defects and FIX them!! That’s right, THE OWNERS then tried to blame our choice or rental car for the fact that we bottomed out constantly on a driveway full of deep ruts and smashed cement - what an absolute joke. The hosts claimed that they agreed with the fact that their cleaner said we left food in the fridge which we couldn’t take back to Tasmania was an insult. Nothing but excuses to protect their 5 star rating but we won’t be bowled over with pathetic excuses and will rate the property in an over generous way. Then to top it off, the owners said that they are not legally allowed to leave any and I quote “unopened or unsealed food stuffs in the cabin due to obvious reasons”. Well how about you fire your current cleaner then Train your new employee to NOT LEAVE an unsealed used bottle of Moccona on the bench for others to use which goes totally against what you claim you can’t do. If you want nothing but pathetic excuses for their cleaners totally inept cleaning regime, excuses and rhetoric for the properties failings, then stay with them. Apart from the location, this property simply isn’t worth half of what they charge so stay somewhere else where the owners actually give 2 hoots and don’t make excuses for the gross failings of the property itself and the disgusting cleanliness of the Cabin. My wife is a professional cleaner for luxury Air BandBs and the cleanliness of this place doesn’t even deserve a 1 out of 10 but we thought we would be generous with a 2. Stay somewhere else and get your moneys worth, we certainly...

I was enthralled by the beauty of this remarkable slice of heaven. The Bluegum cabin was clean, welcoming and the bed was really comfy too. The linen was high quality and some of us appreciate these special luxuries. Eloise and Troy go out of their way to help their guests and are friendly, lovely hosts.

If you love admiring spectacular, far reaching views from the warmth and bubbles of a spa on your private verandah; if you feel at peace in homely ambience, surrounded by birdsong, eucalypts with the occasional visit from a kangaroo or echidna, then the Hunter River Retreat is the place for you! There are two gorgeous Scottish highlanders on the property and a friendly, grey horse who visits. Word has it, they will soon be joined by some miniature donkeys! What a cool place!

It's a truly wonderful stay at Hunter River Retreat, but it's very hard to leave,...

Beautifully run family business with attention to detail.. nothing is too much for Eloise, just so so helpful!! The cabins are old and rustic but so clean, cozy and well maintained on the inside. The owners work hand in hand with local caterers for a personal touch and for a little extra provide brekky hampers and those special nibbles hampers that can be arranged to be there upon arrival. Communication in regards to finding and entering the property are clear and easy to follow and understand. The fellow residents, (pony, miniature donkeys, alpacas, chickens and highland cows) are a novelty and are so curious and friendly. All in all, well worth the stay! So peaceful and relaxing and some very pretty woodland walks and scenery at our fingertips. Loved our stay and would...