Block Eight Hunter Valley - Belford, New South Wales

Carolyn C.

We enjoyed a relaxing stay in the Barrington View cabin. The cabin was adequately provisioned for our needs though if you are two coffee drinkers you may want to take a few more "Nespresso" pods (a limited number of alternative brand pods were provided). The breakfast goodies (eggs, mushrooms, tomato, avocado, sourdough, some fruit, muesli and milk) were a lovely convenience.

The view from our cabin was gorgeous. Sitting out, listening to the birdsong felt so peaceful. We took a walk over to the wine room and met the friendly owners who bought the property from the original owners within the last couple of years (they were doing a few jobs). Just a really beautiful place topped off with quite a few kangaroos jumping around in the morning and afternoon.

'Weekenda' manage the bookings and despite their long and detailed emails of rules which felt off-putting, everything went well. We were able to check-in early (phone call) and check-out late for free (SMS) which was amazing.

Do be aware that since it's a bush setting and there are a lot of insects around particularly at night so it's best not to leave the front door light on if you go out. The number of flying insects was quite overwhelming on our return!

The only real negatives to our stay was the bathroom where the showers drained out into the bathroom floor space a bit and the setting of the tap over the basin made it awkward to use. There was a small cleaning issue where it looked like someone threw some food on the ceiling which had been overlooked by the cleaner but I reported it so hopefully that's been rectified by now.

We'd happily stay again though next time plan some meals to have at the cabin since it was such a pretty place.

Bev

We came up over the weekend and stayed at the Gum Tree villa at Block 8. It’s a beautiful self contained villa on a secluded, quiet, private block. On this private block from memory there are about 4-5 villas here with a wine room located outside. The wine room is a shared facility for guests and it’s a wonderful little spot where you can have a small get together amongst friends.

The toiletries, vegetarian breakfast hamper and insides were lovely, thoughtful and generous. I really liked the hamper as they had locally sourced produce from the area and really nice sourdough! It just makes a get away so much easier when these are provided (and much appreciated when it’s good quality). The olive oil provided in the kitchen comes from Block 8 itself and we ended up getting a bottle because it was so lovely. Toiletries were lovely with even bubbles for a bubble bath!

Things to note when coming here - as we are in the country, insects will come in! When we first arrived I saw some small dead insects on the stove and in the bath tub. Originally I thought the cleaners didn’t clean up properly but over the course of the 2 night stay we realised being in country side, these buggers come in even despite the fly screen. It’s not hordes of insects that come in, but a couple throughout the day. In the villa they’ve also stocked it well with insect repellant if required and insect spray as well just in case you need it.

The other thing which might be helpful to note is that the water is from memory tank water but tripled filtered. When we arrived on Friday, the Hunter region had a month’s worth of rain coming down in that day. As such the water which came out of the tap (in the tub) came out a bit tea brown which was a shock to us initially. But afterwards we found out it was due to the fact water collected (the book in the villa was great at explaining but I couldn’t quite remember the ins and outs of it!)

While not related to Block 8 directly, it was also really helpful to be able to call up Weekenda anytime of the day - as there were some areas which were flood prone, even if they weren’t aware of how to best manage they were able to call the owner and let us know. On a day where you have good weather, this probably isn’t such a big deal but on days when it’s simply pouring, any assistance is helpful!

We also were given complementary late checkout as no one was coming in the day after us so this was really awesome.

Thank you guys for making our stay wonderful!

L C.

Block Eight Hunter Valley accommodation is advertised to be a top notch choice according to its previous reviews. However, upon closer inspection, it is disheartening to find that these reviews are quite dated and no longer reflective of the current state of the property.

The villas themselves appear to be in a rundown condition, lacking adequate maintenance and proper cleaning. The utensils provided for cooking, such as pots and pans, have seen better days and are in dire need of replacement. To make matters worse, there were visible signs of mold on the inside window and bathroom blinds. Surprisingly, a band-aid was found stuck on the air conditioning unit in the bedroom, indicating a lack of attention to cleanliness.

The shower screen in the bathroom had been repaired in a shoddy manner, with unsightly amounts of silicone applied haphazardly. Furthermore, the water from the shower tends to flood the entire bathroom, which can be quite inconvenient. Moreover, despite the presence of a bath, it is strongly advised against using it. This is because the property relies solely on tank water, which is not adequately treated, resulting in brown and dirty water. They only seem to filter the drinking water, neglecting the other aspects.

Water stains on the ceiling further contribute to the overall decrepit appearance of the villa. Additionally, the rooms themselves do not seem to be cleaned thoroughly, as they appear to be covered in dust. Photos have been provided to showcase these issues in detail.

Overall, based on the current condition of Block Eight Hunter Valley accommodation, it is evident that the property is not living up to the positive reviews from the past. Potential guests should be aware of the various cleanliness and maintenance issues that persist within the villas.

In terms of location, Block Eight Hunter Valley accommodation falls short of expectations. It is situated quite far away from nearby attractions and amenities, making it inconvenient for guests who prefer easy access to everything. Additionally, reaching the property requires traversing several kilometers of dirt roads, which can pose a challenge for those with luxury or delicate vehicles. Therefore, if you own a nice car, this property may not be the ideal choice for you.

On a positive note, the grounds of the property are a redeeming feature. They are well-maintained, showcasing the care taken by the management. Despite the cabins being positioned in close proximity to each other, this is not immediately noticeable due to the clever design that ensures each cabin offers a private outlook. This provides a sense of seclusion and tranquility, allowing guests to enjoy their own space without feeling

Rebecca S.

Our stay at Block Eight was perfect, one of the most relaxing and wonderful weekends away we've ever had. We stayed in Tree Tops Villa - plenty of space for two people and nestled near a dam amongst bushland. Every detail was considered, the villa was immaculate and full of great games, wines, luxury toiletries and the welcome hamper was delicious. Well appointed kitchen, comfy bed (good pillows), huge spa bath and double shower. I highly recommend reading Todd's book before you arrive (it's very entertaining), understanding how and why Todd and Jeff created Block Eight really added to our experience. The property is absolutely beautiful and the farm animals are very friendly. Thanks again and we will definitely be back soon.

Nicola F.

Beautiful property and cabin. Stayed for five nights. So private and quiet - almost felt like we were camping in the wilderness but with all the elegance and comfort of a villa. Bird life was stunning (Oriental Dollar Birds - bonus!) Easy access to many wineries. Great breakfast box.

For longer stays, would suggest providing more coffee (5 pods for 2 people wasn’t really sufficient), along with extra towels etc.
Would definitely come back and stay again and would recommend. Very glad we chose Block Eight.

Bree R.

My partner and I just got back from the most amazing three days at Block Eight! We did not want to leave, we were in such total relaxation. The perfect couples retreat. I especially enjoyed the spa bath, the (vegan for us!) breakfast hamper, feeding the rescue farm animals, and the picturesque surroundings! Kangaroos were relaxing just outside out back door, while a peacock walked around the front! The owners are so thoughtful, and no detail is ignored. We can't wait to return!

Maddison H.

I cannot recommend Block Eight enough. We stayed in Gum Trees, and we loved it! The villa was relaxing, well equipped and secluded. The whole location is just stunning, with beautiful places to wander around (with a glass of wine of course), so much lovely wild life and the wine room. Only a short drive to restaurants, wineries and activities around the Hunter as well. Just perfect!!!

Elisse Z.

My husband and I enjoyed our brief stay at Block Eight. The design of the cabins is beautiful, every piece of furniture so thoughtfully selected. The cabins were warm (being early winter) and the fireplace was well supplied with wood and kindling. |We enjoyed walking around the expansive property and meeting the farm animals as well.|It has a secluded feel but isn’t far to go to get to the heart of the Hunter and the Pokolbin area. |And I have to mention the breakfast - amazing! So many great items, including beautiful little cupcakes. Thank you so much!