The Voco Kirkton Park sits in the heart of the Hunter Valley on 70 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, complete with rolling lawns, landscaped gardens, palm trees and a serene lake nestled below. I’d been on the road for a couple of days and after the storm the night before, the moment I turned into the windy, tree-lined driveway toward the elegant countryside manor, a quiet calm settled over me. Navigating a rather large RV, I wasn’t quite sure where I should park. Josh at reception was helpful and reassured me that, as a manor house guest, I could park easily at the opposite end of the property where there was plenty of space. Josh also gifted me a jar of their in-house chef’s handcrafted rose salt, one of the special inclusions in the “Dine Among the Roses” package.
The Arrival and Views
The Manor House is a seperate dwelling to the left of the main building and my suite was on the first floor. As I opened the door to my room, I was greeted by a trail of rose-scented petals, which led to a bottle of First Creek, Brut Cuvée on ice, local handmade soap and a personalised note. Because I arrived a little late, a selection of macarons and chocolate-dipped strawberries had been kept chilled in the bar fridge for me.
The Manor House Suite
The French glass doors in my suite opened onto a “dallage en demier” balcony with uninterrupted valley views and the sound of the fountain below was incredibly soothing. Inside, the black, white and gold interiors, king bed and oversized Chinoiserie lamps created a refined, country-retreat feel. The vintage-style bathroom was also beautifully appointed with “Antipodes” signature eco-friendly amenities.
With dinner booked for 8pm (which is quite late for me these days) I had time to unwind with a glass of bubbles and take in the scenery. My stay was centered around the property’s romantic “dine amongst the roses” experience. Guests can choose between a high tea in a rose-covered dome or a three-course dinner; I opted for dinner.
Dinner at Kirkton Park
Because daylight lingers in the warmer months, the evening setting was lit mostly by candlelight and fairy lights. I continued with a local sparkling wine and ordered pumpkin arancini to start, wagyu beef sirloin for the main and the shared dessert of mini cheesecakes and a chocolate brownie.
The arancini had a crisp exterior and paired well with the beetroot purée. The wagyu sirloin came with truffle mash, grilled broccolini and thyme jus; the sides were excellent, though the steak itself was more cooked than I prefer. Dessert included a layered cheesecake with a jelly-like top and a brownie topped with honeycomb, which may not suit those of us with sensitive teeth. I was so tired that I immediately retired to my room after dinner, as I usually don’t eat this late.
Sleep Quality
I slept well in the oversized and comfy king bed, aside from occasional noise from a neighbouring guest just before I nodded off.
Next Day & Breakfast
In the morning, swallows flew playfully around my balcony – an unexpectedly lovely start to the day. Breakfast in the Atrium offered a generous buffet of hot and cold options including pastries, eggs, bacon, fresh coffee and juices. After breakfast, I took a leisurely stroll around the beautiful rose gardens and the rest of this stunning property, then headed back to pack for the 11am checkout. I’d hoped to squeeze in a swim and check out the other facilities, but unfortunately I ran out of time.
What are we Addicted to? The breathtaking scenery, the slow, dreamy pace of the countryside and the comfort of knowing you have everything you need for a perfect romantic getaway.
What do we need to be more Addicted? A few elements could be improved: some background music during dinner would enhance the ambience. The “rose” dome is decorated with artificial roses—pretty from a distance, though I would have liked to see some fresh blooms incorporated.
voco™ Kirkton Park Hunter Valley 336 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Australia
