Set in 165 acres of the former Lindeman’s and Ben Ean estates, the pavilion-style accommodation of Laval Hunter Valley will comprise 65 villas, alongside a two-level 1,000m2 spa where massage treatments will sit alongside non-surgical facelifts and longevity offerings.
There will also be a signature restaurant, Vallery, helmed by acclaimed chef Justin North, which will blend Mediterranean inspiration with Australian produce and a Japanese influence.
The resort is being brought to life alongside a vast collection of works from artists Gillie & Marc, who are delivering 13 large-scale sculptures to sit within the landscape as well as 130 smaller pieces that will be located in pairs in each villa.
Other features of the resort include a 10,000-bottle wine cellar stocking NSW, Australian and international wines, a red-tiled pool and a helipad.
The resort – the first new-build property in the Hunter Valley in two decades – was launched this week at an event at Machine Hall in the Sydney CBD.
“The fact that no one’s built…a new hotel in the Hunter Valley for 20 years – it’s a missed opportunity,” said Dominic Lambrinos, managing director of HVL Hotels, the resort’s owner and developer.
“There should have been 10 of these in the last 20 years,” he said. “We’d like to think we’re onto something special here.
“Laval is more than the answer to a longstanding gap in the Hunter Valley’s luxury accommodation segment.
“It represents an ambition to do something that hasn’t been done before, on the most magical piece of land within the valley.
“Building from the ground up, we have complete freedom to shape our vision for Laval without constraint.
“What we’re creating is a unique experience where intentional contrasts unfold at every turn, designed so our guests can experience the joy of feeling something new.”
The artists Gillie & Marc were also at this week’s launch, with Gillie telling the crowd, “in over 30 years of working together, we’ve never been part of something quite as special as this”.
“What really stood out to us was that our art isn’t just being added at the end as decoration, it’s being built into the story from the very beginning, which is incredibly rare,” said Marc.
“What we love is the artwork is being designed to live within the landscape and not compete with it. The sculptures are there to surprise people, to make them smile, to make them stop for a second and maybe see things a little differently.”
Destination NSW CEO, Karen Jones, also spoke at the launch, calling the resort’s development “an important milestone for the future of the Hunter Valley and the New South Wales visitor economy”.
“This new resort developed by Hunter Valley Luxury Hotels signals confidence in regional New South Wales and it reinforces our position as a destination that delivers truly world-class experiences,” she said.
“Projects like this play a critical role in strengthening the New South Wales visitor economy through driving high value visitation, extending that length of stay and attracting new international markets.
“The Hunter Valley has long been one of Australia’s most loved wine regions. The resort will elevate that reputation by bringing a new level of luxury, design and immersive experience that aligns with global traveller experiences.
“This resort is not just about accommodation, it’s about creating that destination, one that integrates food, wine, wellness, art and landscape into a single experience.
“It also reflects a broader shift in tourism towards experiences that are…place-based, they’re authentic and deeply connected to their environments. This will capture the essence of the Hunter Valley while presenting it through a contemporary and globally relevant lens.”
