Laval

For Hunter Valley travellers considering a Pokolbin stay, Laval marks a change in scale. It is described as the first luxury resort development of this scale built in the Hunter Valley in more than 20 years, and has been conceived as “an international hotel, made in Australia,” with global standards and a strong sense of place.

Vineyard villas frame the stay around the landscape

the hotel features 65 pavilion-style luxury villas within a working vineyard, including a Wabi Sabi-style Presidential Villa by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. The villas are designed to frame uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape from the moment of entry.

The broader design team includes EJE Architects, Some Studio and TCL Landscape Architects, with the Presidential Villa by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. For a region long defined by established estates and intimate guesthouses, the hotel signals a confident new chapter.

The wine and wellness programs are key points of interest

Its wine program, curated by Jon Osbeiston, will include rare private collections, Coravin pours by the glass and a cellar spanning 10,000 bottles across a 1,000-label list, with a strong emphasis on Hunter Valley Shiraz and Semillon.

Wellness is also part of the resort’s planned experience. Treatments will include medical-grade therapies, salt and sauna rooms overlooking the vineyards, as well as landscaped meditation meadows, sensory gardens and outdoor yoga platforms. Dining details include poolside venue La Vida, which will focus on Cali-Mex flavours, while the Lobby Bar is intended as an all-day gathering space for aperitifs, nightcaps and share-style plates.