Now Open: Marina Resort Is the Boutique Hotel Nelson Bay’s Been Waiting For

When Rick Stein spoke to Broadsheet about opening Bannisters Hotel in Port Stephens back in 2018, the British celebrity chef said there’s something about the area he just couldn’t resist.

It could have been the azure-blue waters, the barefoot lifestyle or its proximity to Newcastle airport (20 minutes), but, yes, chef: there is something – even a few things – about Newcastle’s laid-back sibling you just gotta love.

The area’s transformation in the past decade has been nearly as dramatic as Stein’s overhaul of a “dour-looking” hotel into a luxe coastal escape. The Shoal Bay Country Club’s $6 million facelift was another watershed moment – setting the tone for a modern hospo scene in which Instagram brunches and elegant coastal dining have become the rule, rather than the exception.

The newly opened Marina Resort looks set to move the dial even further. Comprising 48 boutique rooms and a 25-metre pool punctuated by cabanas and spotted gum daybeds, it joins Bannisters and The Anchorage at the high end of the area’s accommodation spectrum.

An old-school seaside apartment block near the marina has been reimagined with a goal to “elevate the entire Port Stephens accommodation landscape”, says Alex Moulis, Doma Hotel group’s director of development. And, given the building’s north-facing vantage point and unfettered bay views, “It was immediately clear that this could become something really special.”

The original ’80s build was a little tired, but it “had incredible potential”, Moulis tells Broadsheet. “The building form was a relatively simple box with great symmetry, which gave us a strong architectural foundation to work with.”

Award-winning Melbourne design firm Stella Collective, whose work spans high-profile hotel builds such as Lancemore Milawa and Club Tropical in Port Douglas, worked to a brief inspired by “Mother Nature”. In practice, that meant creating a seamless transition between inside and out via material choices. Light timber floors echo the natural warmth of driftwood and sand, while travertine – a variety of limestone – evokes coastal stone formations.

“Every material decision was made with longevity and connection to place in mind, ensuring guests feel immediately connected to this beautiful coastal environment from the moment they step inside,” Moulis says.

Guests can choose between Garden Terrace or Ocean View rooms (there are also suites and two-bedroom versions of the above), and while both offer distinct experiences, each is stocked with Grown Alchemist products for some seaside self-care.

The big ticket item, though, is the pool, which is serviced by a pop-up bar doing cocktails, wines and light snacks for the perfect aperitivo. But if you’re heading out on the town, it’s just a five-minute walk to the centre or the foreshore. Shoal Bay, where you’ll find even more dining options and the popular Tomaree Mountain run, is a five-minute drive in the other direction.

Opening offer room rates start from $239 per night for midweek stays. Visit Marina Resort to book and explore more package deals.

This story is part of Broadsheet’s special Aussie Travel Issue, presented by Up, exploring uncommon escapes and remarkable stays close to home.