Tower Lodge — Restaurant in Pokolbin

Disappointing lunch experience.

There were only 4 ppl dining for lunch. This should have been the first hint that this prestigious restaurant in the heart of the Hunter Valley on a weekend might not be up to our expectations.

Initially, we were unable to access the grounds due to the gate being closed and no answer when we phoned to query how we could gain access. This was eventually resolved when the staff phoned us back and remotely opened the gate.

The building is superb. It is spacious and amazingly designed.

Once seated in this amazing looking restaurant, we were underwealmed by the service and the food. The dishes were cold, and the servings were small and far from high quality or tasty.

The wine we ordered wasn't available, and when the wait person returned and offered us a similar wine, it turned out to be a $200 average tasting wine replacing the $120 bottle we ordered.

After our tapas (mains), there was no offer of more wine, tea, coffee, or desert.

Overall, it was a very disappointing dining experience that did not do justice to the amazing venue.

Since posting this review, the owner, Mr Michael Hope, has responded to the review, accusing me of not being factual (lying).

I therefore provide these responses to your comments, Michael.

I have re checked the 2 email confirmations for the booking, and there is no reference to pressing the button to enter the grounds. Please try to be factual. However; I agree that the return phone call was very soon after my unanswered call. I would also add that the male staff member who returned the call was very professional, helpful, and professional

When you do not have a wine in stock, I do not consider it good service for your staff to select and open a substitute wine before consulting with the customers. Particularly when the substitute wine is $80 more expensive and no mention was made about the price difference.

Regardless of what your staff have briefed you about the food, it was not hot nor warm.

None of my group were offered nor consumed deserts. That must have been the other table.

Finally, I have no grudge against your establishment, I simply provided a review about my disappointing dining experience in an amazingly...

There are hotels and there are places like this. It felt more like a private club with personal service than a "hotel".

The room was immaculate, spacious and had a real lodge feel. The food was fantastic and full of flavour. We came out very full and satisfied each night. The location was great for wine tours.

But what made it really stand out were the little touches and it's these that left that lasting impression that will make us come back. A lot of hotels can have amazing rooms but it was these that made it stand out above the rest.

Such as the attention of the head of the waiting staff, the reception staff who welcomed us and came out to meet us each time we arrived, such as when we returned from a wine tour to help us with our bottles. It sounds small but this alone left a lasting impression on us that made us feel like we mattered as guests.

There were the chocolates and real rose petals in the room on Valentines. It was the fact the room was turned down and touched up several times a day without you ever feeling like you had cleaning staff waiting outside your door waiting for you to get out. They seemed to slip in and out unseen. Even the swimming pool bathroom smelt of nice soap style scents, not the usual smell of pool bathrooms! And, ok the hotel can't plan this but the fact the grounds are so suitable for kangeroos meant every day there were plenty lazing in the gardens just meters from our room.

If there was one thing I would suggest and that would be that we would have liked the menu to have some more variety across different days. We stayed for 3 nights and felt we had eaten most of the choices we would like. So we would like to have seen some variety each day but what was served was beautifully presented and tasted fantastic.

To sum up, this was not just a luxury hotel but a private club type atmosphere and we are already planning to come back ourselves and with friends later in the year when the wood fires will be burning in the rooms (also apparently lit for you...

We just spent 2 nights here with a couple of friends and it was superb! A very special luxury, boutique adults only & all inclusive (including the mini bar in your room) destination for a special occasion or just to get away and relax. From the moment you arrive through the big wrought iron gates at the front of the property until you leave, you are very well taken care of. You were made to feel very welcome and very special. We were met as we got out of our car, escorted inside where we were welcomed with a glass of bubbly & then taken to our beautiful rooms which had a real fireplace. All the rooms are different and with huge timber doors. They are filled with some beautiful antiques too. The rooms were with or without fireplace, with or without a spa or hot tub. Our room was stunning with a real fireplace and a huge & luxurious bathroom. The rooms are all built around a courtyard and is of a Hacienda style building. Top shelf drinks before dinner, with dinner, after dinner. You name it and it's there. The meals throughout were superb and if you wanted something and they didn't have it, they eventually got it for you. The beauty here is they listened when you spoke & made things happen. We commented how much fun it would be if they had marshmallows to roast around the large fireplace in the lounge. By that evening, they had the marshmallows and long twigs to roast them with. Espresso martinis were an added bonus. Spicers Tower Lodge also offered specialty wine tours. These are designed for the hotel guests only. Having been to the Hunter several times in the past, we chose a couple we hadn't heard of and they didn't disappoint. Definitely go to Glandore and First Creek. You will get the behind the scenes tour from the barrelling to the bottle production. It was fabulous and their wines were also amazing. Forget the big name wineries. When you go, be sure to spend plenty of time at Spicers Tower Lodge itself. It was worth every cent &...