Bannisters Port Stephens

The infinity pool was beautiful and heated , happy hour was great idea for cocktails by the pool , food was outstanding at Rick steins restaurant stand out dish was the Singapore crab delicious. Staff were pleasant and their service was polite pleasant and friendly

The view and the heated pool are amazing

Infinity pool

Fantastic checkin with bubbles on arrival Great location and recently renovated Parking a bit tight on site

Spectacular views, gorgeous gardens & setting. Infinity pool soooo beautiful, welcome drinks, staff are friendly. Dining options & convenient bar by the pool for cocktails. Room was lovely bird life come to visit. Very relaxing. Just call it therapy! Loved every minute.

Still a lovely property - food was exceptional and service was top class. Being greeted by live music on Friday night was a lovely touch. In comparison to my last visit this time there were so many young children which made dining at Rock Steins a little less enjoyable as they were running around. The parking was not ideal - I parked at the pub next door for a night as I couldn’t get a space in the hotel car parks - although it was Grand final night so pub goers were parked in the hotel too.

Beautiful settings , lovely pool , very relaxed atmosphere & great staff

The pool/bar/restaurant area was really welcoming and comfortable. Having it central tocthe property makes it easy to access and very inviting. The views were just gorgeous, and the ability to order food and drink from your beach chair was fantastic. The staff were always lovely and accommodating. I never had to look for someone, they were always there at reception with a smile on their face.

Penthouse room was lovely, affording great waterfront views. Pool was a perfect temperature too!

Bannisters Soldier's Point. Great place for a mini break or holiday treat and to use this hotel as your base. Staff in all areas are excellent. Hotel itself is very clean and comfortable, and an efficient daily service is done, but no denying that it is a remodelled hotel of years gone by. Owners do their best with what they have available. Pool and the relaxed setting and bar around and pool is welcoming and calming. The continental breakfast is fabulous - plentiful in the array of options, and its quality is second to none. I have eaten at Rick Stein's restaurant for dinner on a previous stay but not this time. Definitely a nice meal was served but I found it to be a little over-rated and not worth the cost of the small servings, even trying to use Rick's name to promote the restaurant. On the bottom level of Bannisters is the Cheeky Dog Hotel that is pumping, busy and noisy on the weekend when I went. Not my scene! The Club across the road served me much better. Disappointing aspect of Bannisters is the parking options for guests - it is all such a hassle with a steep driveway for most guests to conquer. Most need to park their car far away from reception. However, there is a little walk to the small lift from the street level at the lower car park where the Cheeky Dog is. This lift carries guests to the reception level but it is still a level walk once out of the lift to physically get to reception. From reception one needs to walk to a different small lift if w

Beautiful place to stay. Room was clean. Bed was comfy. Staff were very welcoming. Will definitely stay again. The restaurant was a bit pricey & the breakfast that came with the room was only cold food. If you wanted anything hot you had to pay. Other than that it was a very pleasant stay.

Spacious and ultra clean room made for a very pleasant stay. Nice location with a huge bowling club with bistro across the road..

Given that this is boutique hotel, it should be judged as such and it does not stand up to that. It is more like a mid-range 3 star hotel or an upmarket motel. While comfortable, it is far from the experience that you would want from the venue and there are better options in Port Stephens and surrounds. The staff are very friendly and helpful but that is where it stops ... after that it is all downhill. The food at Rick Stein is very average and we had way better meals elsewhere for a lot less. The room decor is 1980's and furnishings are broken and there is some dirt. There are no "Do not disturb" signs so good luck if you want to have sleep in. Their excuse is that guests leave the signs out and so impacts on their cleaning service - there are enough good examples out there at other hotels to figure how to solve this problem and anyway it is the hotel's problem ... not the guests. There is no cupboard space (only open hanging), no cutlery or crockery should you want a glass of wine and a cheese board on the balcony, internet was disastrous, bathrobes but no slippers ... the list goes on.

We had a fantastic time, the room was very clean. The staff were very helpful.

As an Expedia silver member I’ve wanted to try bannisters for a while so thought I would use some points towards the stay. While the pool is lovely, the room was really underwhelming. The shower had a stained shower curtain, you can hear the people next to you and above you at all times and the room didn’t seem like it had been deep cleaned for quite some time. Thinking that maybe we were put in this room because we didn’t book direct. There is parking but if you are older or not very mobile you may struggle. The room service menu is very limited, there is no gym and for the price I expected much more.

Une seule nuit dans cet hôtel mais nuit parfaite. Chambre calme, spacieuse et propre. Accueil sympathique. Piscine chauffée et verre de bienvenue.

The place was absolutely beautiful and clean. Staff service was excellent and very helpful always.

Lovely property with great dining options, fantastic views, and friendly staff. Unfortunately we had a foul smell in our room which put a damper on the visit. Otherwise it was faultless.

Gorgeous location, easy drive from Sydney, would have been a nice relaxing weekend if we hadn't have been woken up at 6am from someones uncontrolled child that proceeded to scream, slam doors and throw things at the wall for the next 3 hours....whilst it had a massive meltdown.... maybe put couples with couples and people with children together? Housekeeping is a bit lax, found old chocolate wrappers behind the bedside tables, and something on the carpet next to the bed that didn't look to pleasant....I opted not to walk on that side..... but otherwise it's a great place.

Friendly staff nice clean room. Excellent restaurant onsite.

large well furnished rooms. light, airy and an unobtrusive airconditioner. very helpful staff and lovely reception area and lounge. dinner at Rick Stein on site was great wish wed had longer.

Convenient quality dining options. Friendly helpful staff. Comfortable beautiful rooms.

The room was very pleasant, comfortable, clean, compact, with a view of trees and bay and a friendly kookaburra! The bathroom door was flimsy, the wifi was weak and there was no saucer for used teabags, otherwise 5 stars

We stayed five nights across various properties in the Port Stephens and Hunter Valley areas. This property was by far the most expensive, which naturally set higher expectations. Unfortunately, it was also the most outdated—reminiscent of a 1970s California motel. We paid a premium for a “not partial” ocean view room, but as the attached photos show, the view felt more partial than advertised—though admittedly, it could have been worse. While the service was good, it didn’t stand out compared to the other places we stayed, so we didn’t feel particularly special. That said, Port Stephens itself was a fantastic destination. The hotel’s poolside area offered partial bay views, enjoyable drinks, and tasty Mexican food, which we appreciated. Regarding Rick Stein, we weren’t aware of him or his connection to the property (if any) or its restaurant beforehand. As such, the premium price tied to his name didn’t resonate with us and felt unjustified. Overall, while there were some highlights, the experience was underwhelming, especially given the cost.

Great location and fantastic rooms

Great location for exploring the surrounding location. Clean, comfortable room - looks like an old motel that's been updated. Nice pool area but very busy.

As an Expedia silver member I’ve wanted to try bannisters for a while so thought I would use some points towards the stay. While the pool is lovely, the room was really underwhelming. The shower had a stained shower curtain, you can hear the people next to you and above you at all times and the room didn’t seem like it had been deep cleaned for quite some time. Thinking that maybe we were put in this room because we didn’t book direct. There is parking but if you are older or not very mobile you may struggle. The room service menu is very limited, there is no gym and for the price I expected much more.

Beautiful room. Bed was not so comfortable There’s noise until midnight from the pub downstairs I paid premium for an uninterrupted views, but the view is partial. I wanted to surprise and spoil my husband for a very special occasion following a difficult time in his life, and I feel like I overpaid .

During my recent stay at Bannisters Port Stephens, I had the pleasure of experiencing exceptional hospitality and a serene environment. Accommodated on the fourth floor, the room was elegantly designed, featuring modern decor and a thoughtful layout. The standout feature was the sky window in the bathroom, which offered a unique and mesmerizing view of the starlit night—an enchanting touch to the overall ambiance. The balcony provided a close connection to nature, with friendly kookaburras and parakeets adding charm to the outdoor experience. Their presence enhanced the tranquil setting, making the stay even more delightful. The hotel also ensured a warm welcome by greeting guests with sweets, a thoughtful gesture that set the tone for a comfortable and inviting stay. Safety and convenience were well-prioritized, with an open car park that remained secure throughout the night. The overall atmosphere reflected a perfect balance between relaxation and refined comfort, making Bannisters Port Stephens a highly recommended destination for those seeking both luxury and a connection with nature.

Penthouse room was lovely, affording great waterfront views. Pool was a perfect temperature too!

Marketed as a 5 star resort but lacked any activity or entertainment experiences and no atmosphere Seemed staff disinterested and just happy to do the minimum.

Attentive staff. Enjoyed my brief stay here. No complaints. Thank you.

Our stay at Bannisters was excellent. Service from Adele at the front desk was impeccable and the facilities are world class. Will definitely be back!

This is a beautiful resort - the pool is amazing. The staff are really friendly and helpful. The rooms are really tasteful and comfortable- the bed is lovely my only negative is the pillows not really to our liking I wouldn’t let that stop us from staying here again Highly recommend

Room was beautiful, clean & comfortable. Dining options are wonderful with Julio's being an amazing taste sensation! More than I can say for Rick Stein! The food at Rick Stein was well below average, it started when we walked in the door and the bar attendant was more interested in talking to friends than service us, after we waited for maybe 10 minutes and he had not even acknowledge us I politely interrupted his conversation and asked if he could get us a drink to which the reply was met with a roll of the eyes and 'Just wait a minute', so we politely waited another 5-8 minutes! The food was disgracefully scallops under cooked and extremely oily, Fish & Shellfish Soup was like dishwater, and the Seafood pie I can't say how bad it was not edible! Our poor waitress was wonderful she was embarrassed and we did our best to assure her it is not her fault, to her credit she was very genuine and adjust our bill accordingly. The Cheeky Dog was full of friendly staff and wonderful bar snacks that were served with a smile. So I guess would I go back .... yes but I would not dine at Rick Stein again!

Lovely property, and we had a pleasant stay. Reception staff was borderline rude, would recommend better staff training.

Bannisters was a midweek break away from the kids. Pool area lovely and staff great. Rooms are comfortable but missing a dee key features such as a full length mirror. Our room opened onto a shared balcony which took a it of getting used to. Hotel also took money from our card without our approval. Breakfast was lovely and the continental was perfectly fine - no need for full cooked breakfast. Not sure we’ll stay again but it was good for a break away.

The pool/bar/restaurant area was really welcoming and comfortable. Having it central tocthe property makes it easy to access and very inviting. The views were just gorgeous, and the ability to order food and drink from your beach chair was fantastic. The staff were always lovely and accommodating. I never had to look for someone, they were always there at reception with a smile on their face.

The staff were the best I think that I have ever encountered at Reception Tara & Anna were just the best the entire time we were there. They always had a smile on their face & they were genuinely friendly & helpful & could not do enough to help

I don’t give reviews often, except to warn people of the bad ones . Bannisters is the exception! a must for work or leisure. I have stay at here on 6 different occasions for work and a family weekend getaway. I travel all over Australia for work and stay at many hotels which advertise accommodation as 4/5 star. Bannisters is one of very few that that I would say meet this. The wonderful staff, many options for food, rooms are tidy clean and the bed wow!!! comfy wouldn’t giving it justice. The rooms are stylish and have a fantastic outlook. Looking forward to my next stay

Stunning location, great food.

Lovely hotel. Very friendly and helpful front desk staff. Nice location for a walk. Beautiful heated infinity pool for a dip.

Lovely spot in Soldiers point for our local weekend away. The property is well maintained. Julio’s and the pool/bar are a great spot to hang out and spend some time in the sun reading a book or having drink.

Beautiful place to stay. Room was clean. Bed was comfy. Staff were very welcoming. Will definitely stay again. The restaurant was a bit pricey & the breakfast that came with the room was only cold food. If you wanted anything hot you had to pay. Other than that it was a very pleasant stay.

A lovely location with views across the waterfront. Not too busy or overcrowded with people. Appreciated that the buildings were low rise and fitted into the landscape. Pleasant walking along the waterfront of Soldiers Point. Room was as advertised, clean and well presented.

Great location for a break. Out of the busy areas.

We enjoyed seeing the king parrots and kookaburras from the adjoining parkland

Beautiful, relaxing location.

Nice quiet area and really pretty next to the water - great for a early morning walk

Very Tranquil

Stunning location, great food.

The infinity pool was beautiful and heated , happy hour was great idea for cocktails by the pool , food was outstanding at Rick steins restaurant stand out dish was the Singapore crab delicious. Staff were pleasant and their service was polite pleasant and friendly

We had an amazing mid week stay at Bannisters, it was a true resort style break. The hotel had a great vibe, staff were lovely and attentive and the pool and views were gorgeous. We enjoyed the multiple food options, including Rick Stein restaurant and the breakfast was so far above expectations for a continental style, I could have stayed all day enjoying all the options! Nice touches all around such as welcome drinks, water and sunscreen available by the pool. 11/10 would love to return!

I Found a very limited Food & Drinks menu (3 x red wines) and for what they were not really diverse enough but certainly didn't miss on the pricing. The rooms for what you pay are limited in information and size compared to other places i have stayed. not a great start was told i was probably going to have to park in the bottom car park BUT, was NOT told that there was a lift to get back up, the hill is a killer! Summary, i can't think of another word but overrated would need convincing to stay again.

Room was beautiful, clean & comfortable. Dining options are wonderful with Julio's being an amazing taste sensation! More than I can say for Rick Stein! The food at Rick Stein was well below average, it started when we walked in the door and the bar attendant was more interested in talking to friends than service us, after we waited for maybe 10 minutes and he had not even acknowledge us I politely interrupted his conversation and asked if he could get us a drink to which the reply was met with a roll of the eyes and 'Just wait a minute', so we politely waited another 5-8 minutes! The food was disgracefully scallops under cooked and extremely oily, Fish & Shellfish Soup was like dishwater, and the Seafood pie I can't say how bad it was not edible! Our poor waitress was wonderful she was embarrassed and we did our best to assure her it is not her fault, to her credit she was very genuine and adjust our bill accordingly. The Cheeky Dog was full of friendly staff and wonderful bar snacks that were served with a smile. So I guess would I go back .... yes but I would not dine at Rick Stein again!

Service was excellent. The pool and dining facilities were very good.

Great restaurants and bars. Beautiful location and nice rooms.

Wonderful place to stay, easy check in. Staff were friendly and efficient. Great cocktails. Julio's restaurant was a little disappointing. Food was nice but not a huge Mexican selection

Our meals at Rick Steins restaurant were outstanding and unforgettable from a standpoint of service and food quality.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Nice pool area. Vast array of eateries & bars within the resort. Staff were very welcoming & helpful. We would stay again