The Nelson Resort, Port Stephens

Location

Located a mere two minutes’ walk from the centre of town, this boutique hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore the coastal attractions of Port Stephens. There’s a resident colony of dolphins that can be seen from the beach, or perhaps join a cruise to see whales, which pass the town between May and November each year. Nelson Bay also has some of the best shore dives in New South Wales, attracting scuba divers from around the world.

Accommodation

The newly refurbished guest rooms and apartments come with modern interiors, subtle maritime touches and private, sunlit balconies with views of the gardens or bay. Rooms on the ground floor feature courtyards, which face the front garden. All rooms have LCD or plasma TVs, WiFi access, air conditioning, a bar fridge and tea and coffee making facilities

Dining

The hotel’s Little Nel Café, which has become a firm favourite among locals and guests alike, serves fantastic barista made coffee from Suspension Espresso, a local artisan coffee supplier. It also has an extensive menu of breakfasts and light lunches including the ever-popular eggs benedict served with the café’s famous hollandaise sauce and leg ham. While there are no dinner options at the hotel, there are plenty of excellent restaurants nearby and there's the option of room service from local bistros on request. Barbecue facilities are also available.

Facilities

The hotel has everything you need to make the most of its location. It offers kayak, paddleboard and surfboard hire if you want to take to the water and bicycle hire for the extensive network of coastal paths. Back on site, the café is complemented by a well-stocked bar and, for health buffs, there’s a 12-metre heated swimming pool and a gym.