The perfect Aussie summer paradise hiding in plain sight

This article is sponsored by Crystalbrook Kingsley.

Hmm, the great Aussie summer getaway. It means different things to different people.

Is it lazy days at the beach, feeling the sand between your toes and the salt in your hair, cold beers and cocktails at sunset, savouring fresh seafood and the hottest of hot chips?

Waking up between the sheets in the most comfortable bed ever in a luxurious five-star hotel before heading for a dip in a crystal-clear ocean pool hand-hewn out of rock? Or an exhilarating surf in the Pacific Ocean?

Maybe sipping a chilled Semillon overlooking the vines where the fruit was harvested while you decide which delicious restaurant to dine at this evening? Or treating yourself to an indulgent high tea? With bubbles and possibly Australia's most delicious doughnuts?

Whatever your desire there's one Australian destination that has all of this and much, much more. But amazingly, despite its many virtues, it continues to fly under the radar for many people, bypassed on the highway to somewhere else.

If you guessed Newcastle, you're right. Hiding in plain sight, Australia's seventh biggest city has been transformed over the last twenty years from gritty steel town into buzzing cosmopolitan delight, with some very cool hotels, restaurants, bars, breweries and cafes, plus some of NSW's loveliest beaches and green spaces, and Hunter Valley wine country on its doorstep.

Novocastrian Josquin Crepelliere, who's now into his third summer as general manager of Newcastle's acclaimed luxury hotel, Crystalbrook Kingsley, said he and his family fell in love with the city the first time they visited.

Originally from Brittany in France but having worked all over the world, Mr Crepelliere comes via some of the world's leading luxury hotels. He had spent five years in Sydney in leadership roles at major hotels before taking up his current position in 2022.

"I jumped at the chance," he said. "My family and I had been to Newcastle for a long weekend and realised what a great city it is with the beautiful beaches, the harbour, and the laid-back lifestyle. And the hotel is magnificent, with its architecture and design, and its position in the city.

"We are very outdoorsy and I love being able to ride my bike everywhere. Newcastle Beach is my favourite place - I'm part of the swimming club, we meet down there every morning at 6.15 to swim, and have a coffee. There is a special energy to Newcastle."

Mr Crepelliere's place of work happens to be one of the coolest landmarks in Newcastle.

The show-stopping cylindrical brutalist building, transformed into Newcastle's first five-star hotel by the Crystalbrook luxury hotel group in 2021, sits opposite leafy Civic Park and the Newcastle Art Gallery (currently closed for a spectacular renovation).

Once home to the city's council chambers, the circa 1977 building is bang in the centre of the city, with views of the harbour on one side and to the park and coast on the other. The outstanding Romberg's cocktail bar and Roundhouse restaurant are on the top floor making the most of the unobstructed panoramic views of the city and its waterways.

The award-winning hotel was named the winner of the 2024 HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards for 'Building Renovation and Adaptive Reuse' in a nod to its sustainability-focused mindset. In 2022, it received the prestigious Paul Davis Award for the Australasia Pacific Hotel of the Year for interior design.

As well as its striking look and luxurious interiors, Crystalbrook Kingsley prides itself on its exceptional food and beverage. And there are some extra special offerings planned for during the festive season and into the new year.

You know you're in for something amazing when the lift doors open and Romberg's sky-high cocktail bar is the first thing you see (I challenge you not to let out a little gasp). Park yourself with a Martini or one of Romberg's delicious signature cocktails to take it all in and watch the sun sink over the city.

Settle into the plush seating and stay on for a menu of light bites or, on Saturdays, book for the Amalfi Long Lunch, a four-course Italian feast featuring house-baked focaccia, Sicilian olives, calamari fritto, pistachio pesto pasta, pork cotoletta, and vanilla gelato with black truffle honey. You're welcomed with a Sgroppino - a classic Italian drink of sorbet, prosecco, and vodka.

Next door in Roundhouse, choose from the seasonal a la carte menu or sit back and enjoy the tasting degustation, a seven-course delight with dishes from line-caught kingfish crudo, avocado, nectarine and shiso to a Weiss dark chocolate Cremieux, with summer cherries, meringue, and cherry sorbet. Add matched Hunter Valley wines from star winemaker names like Tyrells, Margan, Petersen House and Brokenwood.

"This is the way I love to eat," Mr Crepelliere said. "You don't have to spend time looking at menus, deciding what you want. With the tasting menu and the long lunch you just choose what you want to drink, then relax, and enjoy the views and the food as it arrives at your table."

Also at Roundhouse, you won't want to miss a special addition to the menu from December - a sumptuous seafood 'tower' with scallops, Moreton Bay Bugs, prawns, oysters, ceviche, taramasalata, salmon roe and sourdough crumpets.

Something else extra special for summer is happening in Crystalbrook Kingsley's ground floor cafe and cocktail bar, Ms Mary. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, high tea is served that is a collaboration between the hotel and another iconic (and round) Novocastrian - DoughHeads. The Ms Mary and DoughHeads High Tea includes exclusive DoughHeads doughnut flavours, savoury bites, and 'inventive' scones with unlimited T2 tea, coffee from local roaster Sprocket, and First Creek 'Botanica' sparkling.

"It's spectacular," said Mr Crepelliere, a DoughHeads fan who can often be spied at the store on the weekend enjoying a doughnut or an ice cream with his young son.

"DoughHeads is such a well-known and loved local business and they've created three flavours of doughnuts just for us. Plus our 'scones' are our unique take - they're lighter than your usual scone. We serve them silver service at the table with a strawberry coulis, fresh strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream."

Right now you can charge your festive spirit with Ms Mary's Christmas cocktail menu - Rudolph Refresher anyone? And on Christmas Day that luxurious seafood tower will also be available there.

To see out 2024 in style Crystalbrook Kingsley has an option for however you like to celebrate New Year's Eve.

At Ms Mary, party under the city's historic clock tower as you count down to midnight with canapes, drinks and music.

Or for a sublimely sophisticated NYE head to Roundhouse for an evening of premium dining. There are two seatings - sunset from 5pm and midnight from 9pm.

Imagine then wandering up to your luxurious Crystalbrook Kingsley bed and waking on the first day of the year in heavenly comfort.

"We did have some guests last year enjoy it all," said Mr Crepelliere. "They dined in Roundhouse, popped down to see in the new year at Ms Mary and then were able to just head upstairs to bed. Fantastic."

To celebrate the festive season with a special Crystalbrook Kingsley experience visit crystalbrookcollection.com/kingsley. And stay tuned for more exciting plans for early 2025 to keep the summer fun coming.