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Thistle Hill Guesthouse is your group’s tranquil oasis on Hermitage. Our elegant, sophisticated, pet friendly venue is one of the few exclusive use venues that allows you to invite additional guests onsite for events, pre and post wedding celebrations and gatherings. Our exclusive venue is BYO, DIY or we can refer services to meet your needs. Pristine grounds and beautiful surroundings encourage relaxation, unleash creativity, and foster a team spirit. Our surroundings might be relaxed, but our attention to detail certainly is not. Thistle Hill Guesthouse can comfortably accommodate up to 50 people for family functions and 30 for business or corporate groups, across three distinct accommodation options. Thistle Hill Guesthouse is the perfect place to gather with friends, co-workers, family or team members.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Languages Spoken
English
Location
591 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin, Cessnock, New South Wales 2320 Australia
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We booked the entire property (8 suites in the main building and 2 suites in the adjacent cottage) for three nights, as a family gathering centred around my 92 year old father. There was ample space for the 17 of us, and the 'function room' next to the swimming pool was the ideal family gathering space. They have just completed building a fire pit, which they lit for us on two of the evenings. Each of the en-suite suites is beautifully appointed with quality furnishings, air conditioning and well maintained bathrooms. Jo and John went 'above and beyond' to make us comfortable. To welcome us, there was a cheese platter in each of the rooms, and a local wine chilling in each of the fridges. The accommodation includes a sumptuous continental breakfast and we asked them to also cater our dinners. The quality of the meals was superb and extremely reasonable. They were accommodating (and knowledgeable) with our dietary requirements (including Coeliac and Vegetarian). The large grounds are beautiful, with lakes, woods and local kangaroos and provide opportunities to walk and relax. We cannot thank them enough for making it a memorable and wonderful family weekend away and will most certainly return as soon as we can!
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Date of stay: February 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Joanne Bowskill, Owner at Thistle Hill Guest House
Responded 6 Mar 2022
We loved hosting your group and getting to know your family. It was a privilege to facilitate this family catch up and we hope to see you again at Thistle Hill!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What can I say, but what a perfect location to host a garden wedding.
We booked the whole property for a wedding hosting overseas guests and family.
Lots of space, multiple locations for photographs, plenty of parking and facilities beautiful properties and well appointed rooms.
We used multiple vendors on the Thistle Hill website to provide, bar, flowers and multiple other services and they were of the highest quality. Thistle Hill really cares about providing the best for their guests and customers.
Thank you so much for all your help and for being so flexible.
Loved it.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We love our Hunter visits and always stay somewhere new, but since discovering Thistle Hill Guesthouse on this visit that looks like changing. The location is A1 - on Hermitage Road - a mecca for wine and food lovers, and with a brand new cycleway that links you to some of the best restaurants and wineries. Hire an electric bike and pick up your wines later or if you’re active, walk between them. Owners Jo and John and team, led by the lovely Arlene, have created a beautiful home away from home. Our room was modest in size but super comfy, with treats like fresh-picked flowers, chocolate, macarons, and a surprise cheese platter and Piggs Peake sticky Verdelho (all ready for a sneaky night cap). Last but not least are the beautifully maintained grounds of many acres with wonderful dams, a pool, fire pit, games lawn and terrace where you would swear you’re in Tuscany. Nothing was too much trouble. You truly feel like a guest.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Jo has all the tips you need on tours, bike hire, and restaurant options.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Talk about the coziest bed on a freezing cold night in a slice of paradise. We had such an amazing mid-week break getting out of the city. The impromptu trip was even better than we imagined and I just love the vibe of Thistle Hill. Our room had all we needed and although others were around, we often felt like we had the place to ourselves. The gardens and common areas are so picturesque and cared for, we felt the same! There is so much attention to detail covered we continued to be pleasantly surprised - thanks for orchestrating the kangaroos to be chilling out next door just as we were leaving. We WILL be back. Thank you so much!
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Spend as long as you can there!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lovely spot for a Hunter Valley get-away. Very easy to find, situated on the main road through the Pokolbin wineries, Jo ensured checkin went smoothly, and we were settled in to our room within minutes of arrival.
Although the room was quite small, it was well thought out and didn't feel cramped at all - and the ensuite was light and modern, with a large shower.
The weather wasn't great during our stay, so tantalising glimpses of the pool, fire pit, and what looked like a spa/sauna, when combined with the beautiful gardens (see pic), mean a return visit during summer is already on the cards.
Great hospitality from our hosts Jo and John, delicious food, and the complementary samples of local delicacies - can't wait to return.
5 stars.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely fabulous place to stay. Nothing was a problem, and Joanne, John , Debbie and Howard went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Great accommodation- the villa was a great place for a gathering of friends, with Joanne organizing a cheese and charcuterie board, then gourmet pizza. Brilliant. Breakfast was a cut above- great variety and yummy. Rooms were very comfortable, beautifully furnished and very quiet. We had a birthday dinner in the pavilion the following night - they cleaned it all up afterwards, cut up the cake, and made sure there was nothing else we needed. Perfect hosts.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I stayed at Thistle Hill for a weekend and from start to finish the experience has been amazing. Not only were the staff lovely to deal with and accommodating of our needs, the host Jo was also a great source of information to the area. We really felt like we were being looked after.
The room itself was quaint and had all the basics amenities we needed. As I believe they're somewhat recently renovated, it manages to be fresh and clean whilst still capturing the country BNB vibe. The complimentary wine and cheese in the room were also certainly a nice touch. The only nit-picks I would have is that the room's front door isn't the most soundproof as you can hear guests walking past and talking outside, and the skylight in the bathroom also tends to gather dust which falls onto the surfaces below.
Breakfast was served buffet style in the dining room. Each day a selection of delicious fresh pastries were served, as well as basics such as fruit, coffee and bread. I also appreciated the availability of rehydration tablets at breakfast, showing that they really know and look after their clientele.
There was ample parking during our stay, however its surface as well as the long driveway into the property are not paved which can get bumpy and muddy after wet days.
Overall we highly recommend Thistle Hill.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I always like to be honest when reviewing The grounds and area are beautiful the kitchen was clean and room is very cute and clean. First impressions were great.
They have a service agency to communicate with. There was no one on site the whole time we were there to service the property which meant kitchen got messy by guests - no clean up. The rooms ac is on a 4 hour timer. Annoying when sleeping and having to get up to put air back on. The tv remotes batteries were dead.
The lights at night on the driveway were not on so you had to walk up a pitch black driveway
Our shower pressure was non existent and slow. The whole time. We were busy getting ready for day on the green and did not have time to wait for a plumber and did not want to have a stranger around our belongings - especially when there are no staff on site and then again at 11 at night we did not contact to rectify as who’s coming that time of night?
When contacted the property they said the plumber would have been there in 15 mins even at night- which I find hard to believe then later they said they checked the room and there was no issue. So they basically accused us of lying and offered no compensation to make better. This really left a bad taste. A bit of customer support and doing the right thing is not that hard.
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I recently stayed in the 5 bedroom luxury villa at Thistle Hill Guesthouse with a group of friends. We absolutely adored our time there as did our dogs . The villa has everything you need, is comfortable, clean and has space for everyone to relax in. There are 3 lounge areas so people are not on top of each other. We spent most of our time using the outdoor area which was just perfect with a pool and a totally fenced in yard for the dogs . We really appreciated the large property which is away from any road noise and the only noise is from birds! The beds are extremely comfortable and bathrooms are great too. We will be back!
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sublime Hunter Valley retreat with gorgeous hospitality! My husband and I had the pleasure of staying at Thistle Hill for two nights, whilst on holidays in our own country instead of charging overseas. We had a three week driving holiday from the Gold Coast to Jervis Bay, back via the Blue Mountains returning home via the New England Highway! We have stayed in the Hunter numerous times, but have now found our second home away from home! I really shouldn’t tell too many people because we might not be able to get in next time due to its popularity! The beautifully appointed guest rooms, opening up with double french doors to a lovely garden, offer a true retreat! A bottle of local wine and a sweet little cheese platter awaits you upon arrival, as well as the obligatory coffee and tea making facilities. However Jo, our hostess makes that extra little effort by putting yummy home made biscuits in a gorgeous glass dome for afternoon tea and a dessert wine served in a stunning decanter awaits your arrival from one of the local restaurants, for a nightcap! The property is sublime, with swimming pool, guest function area, outdoor fire pit and a stunning garden in which to meander. The huge kitchen where breakfast is served, is a treasure cove of cooking facilities and makes you feel as if you were in a french chateau! Breakfast is delicious, not to be missed! We just wanted to stay for a week, or longer! Please Jo and John, keep doing what you are doing, it is truly a wonderful experience! The best night’s sleep in our three weeks away from home! We shall return!
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Plenty of parking, all the rooms are stunning, some bigger that others. There is also a two...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am so very sorry, however I did answer this question two months ago, I have no idea why it never reached it's destination. We are relatively close to Hope Estate. The valley is all spread out but there is always shuttle services there.
There are more places to choose from in the Pokolbin area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$245 - AU$321 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesGreater NewcastleCessnockPokolbin
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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