A New Chapter for Hunter Valley Holiday Homes
ADVERTISER FEATURE
Experience, innovation and a personal approach to boutique group accommodation.
In an accommodation industry increasingly dominated by large property management portfolios and online booking platforms, Hunter Valley Holiday Homes is deliberately taking a different approach, specialising in exceptional group accommodation for 14 to more than 30 guests.
Led by co-owners Sue Gleave and General Manager Rachael Meehan, the locally owned business is entering an exciting new chapter, focusing on a carefully curated collection of substantial homes genuinely designed for groups to come together, supported by innovative marketing, experienced management and a highly personal approach to owners and guests.
“We're not interested in managing hundreds of properties,” Rachael explains. “We want to work with owners who value quality and want their properties actively managed and marketed, rather than simply listed online.”
Genuine Group Accommodation — More Than Just Beds
One defining feature of Hunter Valley Holiday Homes is its understanding of what makes a property genuinely suitable for large groups.
The business caters to family celebrations, milestone birthdays, golf weekends, wedding groups, wellness escapes, corporate retreats and gatherings of friends.
But accommodating a group means considerably more than simply providing enough beds.
Many properties advertise accommodation for 20, 25 or even 30 guests, yet achieve that capacity by spreading people across separate cottages, cabins or additional buildings. Others may technically have sufficient bedrooms but lack the communal spaces needed for everyone to gather comfortably.
“For us, saying a property sleeps 20 means much more than finding beds for 20 people,”
Rachael explains. “Can everyone sit around one table and enjoy dinner together? Is there a lounge where the whole group can comfortably relax? Are the outdoor entertaining areas genuinely designed for that number of guests?”
This understanding guides the company's approach to selecting properties.
The focus is on substantial homes with generous dining areas, spacious living rooms, comfortable private bedrooms and outdoor entertaining spaces proportionate to their guest capacity.
“When families, friends or corporate groups come away together, the whole purpose is to spend time together,” Sue says. “If everyone has to split across different dining tables, separate lounges or different buildings, you lose a big part of what that group getaway is meant to be.”
It's the difference between simply providing beds and creating a genuine group accommodation experience.
For owners, this specialist understanding also means knowing how to position and market a property to guests who are most likely to appreciate its features.
Creating Demand, Not Just Taking Bookings
A key differentiator is the company's proactive approach to marketing and developing new markets. Rather than relying solely on Airbnb, Booking.com and other accommodation platforms, Hunter Valley Holiday Homes develops targeted campaigns and partnerships designed to introduce new audiences to its properties and the Hunter Valley.
Its Golf in the Vines initiative is a prime example, combining premium group accommodation with championship golf, dining and wine experiences.
The business is supporting this initiative with a three-month advertising campaign in Golf Digest, taking the Hunter Valley's golf-andstay experience directly to a relevant Australian golfing audience.
“We don't believe successful property marketing is about putting a listing online and hoping somebody finds it,” Sue explains. “We actively identify markets that are a natural fit for our homes and create campaigns that speak directly to those guests.”
Corporate retreats, executive offsites and conferences are another significant opportunity.
As businesses increasingly look beyond traditional hotels and conference venues, substantial private homes offer an appealing alternative for executive planning sessions, strategy meetings, and team gatherings.
A well-designed group property lets colleagues work together during the day, share meals in the evening, and enjoy an environment that encourages genuine connection.
The Hunter Valley adds another dimension, with opportunities to incorporate dining, wine experiences, golf and other activities into a corporate stay.
“We see enormous potential in the corporate market,” Sue says.
“A private home creates a completely different dynamic for a leadership retreat or team offsite. People can work together, enjoy the property and build relationships outside the traditional office environment.”
The company's Guest Experience Team can assist with meeting arrangements, private chefs, catering, transport, golf, winery experiences and tailored itineraries.
“We're not simply marketing accommodation,” Sue adds. “We're creating reasons for people to come to the Hunter Valley.”
For owners, these initiatives have a clear objective: attract quality guests, increase direct bookings, develop new revenue opportunities and build sustainable long-term returns.
High-Touch Service, From Enquiry to Check-Out
Despite the emphasis on innovative marketing, Sue and Rachael believe personal service remains fundamental to the business.
From the first enquiry, guests deal with people who know the properties, understand the region, and take the time to understand each group's plans.
“We're not just sending someone a booking confirmation and a door code,” Rachael explains.
“We want to understand why they're coming, what they're celebrating or organising and how we can help make their stay exceptional.”
For someone coordinating accommodation and activities for 20 or 30 people, that personal assistance can make an enormous difference.
Whether arranging a private chef, recommending local experiences or coordinating transport, the team's involvement helps create memorable stays, positive reviews, repeat guests and referrals.
The Right Guests for the Right Homes
Managing substantial group accommodation also brings particular
responsibilities.
Rather than accepting every booking simply because a property is available, Hunter Valley Holiday Homes takes the time to understand who is staying, the purpose of the visit and whether the group is appropriate for the property.
“We carefully vet our groups and know the questions to ask,” Rachael explains. “We want guests to relax, celebrate and enjoy themselves, but our homes are not party houses.”
Expectations around guest numbers, visitors, noise and appropriate behaviour are clearly communicated and managed.
“Getting bookings is only one part of managing a successful holiday property,” Rachael says.
“Getting the right bookings is just as important. We have a responsibility to generate strong returns while protecting the home, its reputation and its relationship with the surrounding community.” Direct guest communication and clear expectations from the outset give owners an extra layer of reassurance.
Experience Behind the Brand
Hunter Valley Holiday Homes combines marketing expertise, operational experience, and decades of involvement in holiday accommodation.
Sue began her career in corporate marketing and communications, spending 20 years developing expertise in brand positioning, business development and targeted marketing.
Entering the holiday accommodation industry in 2000, she subsequently established and grew successful Hunter Valley accommodation brands, including Stays in the Vines and Hunter Valley Stays.
She also owns and operates Hunter Valley Lodge & Retreat, a substantial group accommodation property that has achieved more than 100 five-star reviews and 89 per cent direct and return bookings. “That experience has taught me that successful holiday accommodation isn't just about having a beautiful property,” Sue says.
“You need to understand your market, continually evolve your marketing and give people a reason to book directly — and importantly, a reason to come back.”
Rachael brings extensive corporate experience in logistics, operations, systems and customer service.
As General Manager, she oversees day-to-day operations, owner relationships, guest communications and property performance. Together, they combine strategic marketing and business development with hands-on operational management, supported by a trusted network of local housekeepers, maintenance professionals and
trades.
The team works closely with owners on presentation, guest experience and marketing opportunities, continually looking for ways to strengthen individual property performance.
From the Hunter Valley to the Coast
While the Hunter Valley remains central to the business, Sue and Rachael also operate City to Coast Holiday Homes, representing a select collection of beautiful Sydney and coastal properties.
Unlike the Hunter Valley's specialist focus on large group accommodation, City to Coast caters to a different market while maintaining the same commitment to carefully selected properties, proactive marketing and personalised management.
“For us, it's not about expanding everywhere,” Sue explains. “It's about working with the right properties and the right owners, wherever we can genuinely add value.”
Small by Design
“Our owners aren't simply another listing amongst hundreds,” Rachael says. “We know their properties, understand their goals and actively look for opportunities to improve performance.”
For Sue and Rachael, the ambition is clear: to build a carefully curated portfolio of exceptional properties, supported by innovative marketing, experienced management and genuine personal relationships. And the philosophy behind both brands remains remarkably simple:
“We treat every property as if it were our own.”
