General information faq's
What does 'Hermitage' mean?
The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'Hermitage' as an 'escape to isolation'. At Hermitage Lodge we strive in every way to offer our guests with an 'escape' from their daily routine. The 'isolation' of Hermitage Lodge is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city or the day after day routine of life on land. We believe we have a property that allows the mind, body and soul to escape to somewhere else.
When did the
accommodation and restaurant open?
The main building was built in 1986 and housed four 'Lodge
Rooms' and a restaurant. It was referred to as a 'Lodge' because it was all under
the one roof. In 1996 the six Deluxe
Rooms were added, and in 2006 the Vineyard Studios, Suites and Premier Suites
were opened.
How large is the
property?
The property is a total of 25 acres or 10.1 hectares.
This includes almost four acres of vineyard and 10 acres of bushland.
Who are the owners
of Hermitage Lodge?
The property is owned by a group of three couples. Mark and Noreen Gottaas are the Managing
Directors.
What grapes do you
grow?
We have just under four acres of Shiraz grapes.
What do you do
with your grapes?
We pick our grapes in late January or February (depending
on growing conditions) and send them across the road to First Creek Wines to
make our 'Partners' Pick' label wine.
Partners Pick Shiraz is sold only in 'Il Cacciatore' and through our
Cellar Door licence in Reception. We also have a Partners' Pick Verdelho and
Chardonnay available for sale.
How far are you
from Sydney CBD?
Hermitage Lodge is a 2 ¼ hour drive from the CBD.
Is there public
transport from…
Sydney
It is very difficult, expensive and time consuming to get
to the Hunter Valley by public transport.
Once you arrive in the wine growing area, there is no public transport
either, so you will need to rely on your car, a taxi or private shuttle to get
around.
Newcastle
We are located approximately 1 hour from Newcastle. There is no direct transport available. There is a bus from Newcastle to Cessnock
however you would have to catch a taxi from Cessnock to Pokolbin.
Are there
supermarkets, chemists or petrol stations close by?
Pokolbin is the name of the parish not a town; Cessnock
is our closest town and is approximately fifteen minutes away. There are a couple of general stores, gourmet
cheese shops, chocolate shops and deli items available at a number of local
stores in close proximity.
Are wineries
(Cellar Doors) and other restaurants within walking distance?
Yes, there are Cellar Doors and other restaurants within
walking distance however you need to be mindful of the fact that Pokolbin is a
rural area. There are no footpaths or
street lights for walking at night. We
recommend you don't walk around after dark.
There are taxis and shuttle buses which can transport you to local
restaurants. We have 15 vineyards within a 2 kilometre radius. Our closest winery is 400 metres away,
directly across the road.
Do you have
laundry service?
We have a complimentary on-site laundry; laundry powder
can be purchased at reception for a small fee.
Do you allow
children?
Hermitage Lodge is mostly targeted to the 'couples'
market. Most of our rooms only accommodate two people. Some of the rooms do have double sofa beds
which can accommodate children. The
Deluxe Rooms with Spa baths are strictly for couples only. We do not accommodate children or infants in
this room style.
Do you allow pets?
No
What credit cards
do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, Diners and Amex, as well as EFTPOS.
There are no cash out facilities available.
Accommodation faq's
What are your rates for your guest rooms
and suites?
Rates range
from $150-$485* All tariffs are based on double occupancy. There is an additional charge for extra
adults and children in a room.
*Rates fluctuate and are based on room
category, midweek or weekend and availability.
A 50% deposit is required at time of booking to confirm the booking.
How can I make a booking?
Click here
to make an on-line booking or phone us on 61 2 4998 7639.
Reception
hours are from 8am-6pm. The restaurant
staff may be able to accommodate you outside these hours, however if the
restaurant is busy they may not be able to answer all your questions. We
suggest you phone during office hours.
Can you tell me the difference in the room
styles?
There is a
property map on the website under the heading 'Map'. This map has the property layout, floor plans
and photographs. There are complete descriptions of each room style is on the
website.
Is breakfast included?
A 'continental'
breakfast is stocked in your mini bar.
This consists of juice, yogurt, English muffins, homemade muesli and a selection
of teas and coffees. Breakfast items are restocked daily.
What time is check in and check out?
Check-in is
2:00pm and Check-out is 10.30am.
Is there a minimum stay?
There is no
minimum stay midweek however weekends do have a 2 night minimum.
Can we have an early check in?
Check-in is
at 2:00pm. We may be able to accommodate an early check-in when possible – call
ahead on the day of arrival to enquire.
Can we have a late check out?
Check out is
at 10.30am. We are not always able to accommodate requests for late checkouts
as it is dependent upon our check-ins on the day.
Do you have wheelchair accessible rooms?
We have a beautiful
suite with wheel chair access.
Can we request a specific room?
We book our
guest accommodation based on their selected room style. Specific rooms and beds may be requested
however cannot be guaranteed.
Can I smoke in the room?
All rooms
are non-smoking. Smoking is permitted outside on the deck or verandah. Doors
into the rooms must be closed to prevent smoke entering the accommodation.
Do you have a pool?
Yes, we do.
dining faq's
What does Il Cacciatore mean?
Il
Cacciatore is Italian for 'the hunter'.
What style of food does Il Cacciatore
specialise in?
Il
Cacciatore specialises in Northern Italian inspired cuisine. We base our menu on popular Northern Italian
ingredients including seafood, polenta, gnocchi, Parmesan and balsamic to name
a few.
What time do you open?
6:00pm 7
nights a week.
Do you offer room service?
Yes, limited
during the day however the full dinner menu and take-out menu is available 7
nights a week.
What time does the restaurant close?
We do not
have a closing time however we generally don't take bookings after 8pm week
days and 9pm on weekends.
Are you open for lunch?
Il Cacciatore
is not open for lunch however we would consider accommodating large private
groups with prior arrangement.
Do you serve pizzas in the restaurant?
No, we do
not have pizzas on the dinner menu however pizzas and pastas are available for
take-out.
Do you deliver pizzas or pastas?
No, pick up
only.
Do you have a children's menu
Yes, however
the children's menu is only available at 6pm and 6.30pm reservations on
weekends and during holiday periods.
Can you accommodate specific dietary
requirements?
Yes, Il
Cacciatore has a separate vegetarian menu, and the regular menu identifies gluten
free options. Not all ingredients are
listed on our menus so it is important to advise your server if you have
specific dietary requirements.
Can we reserve a specific table or outside
table?
No, but we
will make note of your request and accommodate you if possible.
Do you provide transport?
No, but we
can help you arrange transport by either taxi or shuttle bus.
Is 'Il Cacciatore' BYO?
No, the
restaurant is fully licensed with many local wines, a few interstate and
Italian wines and a range of beers and spirits.
What is the dress code for Il Cacciatore?
Smart/Casual
is the most popular dress code.
