Vista Lounge: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

The Vista Lounge in the atrium of the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is the place to unwind, enjoy a few drinks and snack on bar food should you get peckish after a day of Hunter Valley wine tasting.

Martini for Two

There’s a selection of wines and beer on tap such as Peroni, Paddo Ale, Glamarama Summer Ale and Sydney Cider as well as a solid range of spirits. You could order a Dirty Martini and unwind after a long day but the Vista Lounge has the largest collection of whiskies in the Hunter Valley with over 50 expressions at the back bar.

Whisky sour

Patrick Swain, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Guest Experience Manager, prepares a Whisky Sour made with Highland Park 18 yo, muddled with grapefruit, sweet and sour mix, egg white, shaken, strained into a whisky rock glass with a large ice ball and garnished with zest-flamed grapefruit. The cocktail is easy to drink even for a whisky novice.

Patrick Swain preparing the Vista Blaze

If you’re after something more boozy, the sensational Vista Blaze hits the right spot. Patrick uses Glenfiddich 18 yo heated with cinnamon quill, star anise, clove, vanilla bean, brown sugar and a pinch of nutmeg.

Flaming the Vista Blaze

As with all blazer cocktails, it is fun to watch the flames and enjoy the aroma once your drink is served.

Vista Blaze

Spicy, warming and delicious, the Vista Blaze is well suited for an after dinner cocktail or one to enjoy near the fireplace as a romantic cocktail for two.

If you’re after a bite to eat, the Vista Lounge offers bar food, with some dishes being a subset from the hotel’s  Redsalt Restaurant.

Bar food

The menu includes a charcuterie board ($14) with a delicious chicken liver and foie gras parfait, chargrilled white Pyrenees lamb chops with spicy chimmichurri ($14.50), seasoned potato wedges ($9) which are prepared to order.

Chocolates and Nougat

If you’re after something sweet with your Port or Muscat, you can indulge in a selection of homemade chocolates and nougat ($12.50).

The Vista Lounge is open daily from 4pm until 11pm Monday to Friday. Weekend hours are subject to change.

In the Hunter Valley series:
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Lovedale Long Lunch with Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Redsalt: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Goldfish Hunter Valley

Vista Lounge
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
430 Wine Country Dr
Lovedale NSW 2325
Ph: (02) 4991 0900
www.crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au

Gourmantic stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley as media guests.