Bells at Killcare
Classy seaside chic
Graceful Central Coast gardens
Bells at Killcare takes the best of country, coastal and city chic to make a boutique bouillabaisse which is part hotel, part chef's-hatted-restaurant, part private retreat. New Mediterranean heartiness is dished out in the kitchen, while classic Australia awaits on the surf beaches and walking trails of the surrounding Bouddi National Park, just 90 minutes north of Sydney.
Facilities
Rooms
29, including suites, villas and cottages.
Checkout
11am. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
More Details
Rates include a full cooked breakfast; dinner packages are also available. A surcharge must be paid on departure for all credit-card payments.
Also
Don't go home before setting off on a bush walk to Bouddi National Park.
Free Internet Access
On-Site Restaurant
Room Service
Spa
At the Hotel
Day spa, gardens, free WiFi throughout, library. In rooms: iPod dock, flatscreen TV.
Our Favourite Rooms
All Bells’ boudoirs are set away from the Main House amid 20 acres of pretty English-style gardens, secluded from the gastronomic bustle of the restaurant. For maximum privacy, a super-deep free-standing bath tub and a lake-surveying balcony, opt for a Lakeview Villa.
Poolside
The shimmering turquoise swimming pool is flanked by sun-loungers, umbrellas and a self-service pool bar.
Packing Tips
Marcos-loads of shoes: loafers for lunch, flipflops for the beach, walking shoes for the National Park trails.
Also
Attend one of the hotel's monthly wine dinners; or visit the in-house Bakery and Larder to grab a picnic for a day out in the National Park.
Children
The Lodges and Family Two-Bedroom Cottage are best for all ages.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Pick a table on the veranda, but any of the windowside tables for two will do if it’s too hot or cold to be outside (number 23 is lovely).
Dress Code
TM Lewin shirts and RM Williams moleskins for lunch; a pair of stretch pants for afterwards.
Hotel Restaurant
The Wild Flower Bar & Dining is at the heart of the hotel, celebrating the natural majesty of Bouddi National Park and the local waterways. Menus offer Moroccan-spun Mediterranean fare and some of the ingredients come from the hotel’s 500 square-metre kitchen garden, bee hives and free-range hens. The cooking is precise but simple, letting the quality of the produce shine through. Trolley service and table-side cooking bring a sense of theatre to the dining room – order the salt-crusted fish, for example, and it’ll be cracked and prepared right in front of you. The food is supported by an equally-strong wine list with a judicious selection of local and Italian labels.
Hotel Bar
As well as a super-extensive Italian and French wine list, Bells serves many of the best regional Australian wines, and in-house sommeliers are always willing to offer suggestions. The glass-walled, temperature-controlled wine cellar is a key feature of the restaurant area, but quaff the stuff in the hotel's garden bar, or pour your own at the pool's honesty bar. Suitably, Bellinis are the house cocktail.
Last Orders
The restaurant opens or dinner from 5pm Monday to Sunday. Lunch is served from noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The bar is open from 4pm to 9pm during the week, from noon to 10pm on weekends.
Room Service
Available from 3pm daily.
Planes
Sydney Airport (www.sydneyairport.com.au) is serviced by an array of international and domestic carriers. From there, it’s a scenic 100-kilometre drive to Bells at Killcare.
Trains
Woy Woy Station is 10 minutes away from Bells and is serviced by City Rail (www.sydneytrains.info). From Central Station in the city centre, take the North Shore and Western Line. The journey takes approximately 70 minutes on the express train or 90 minutes stopping at all stations en route. From Woy Woy, catch a taxi from the rank at the front of the station to Killcare Heights. The drive takes about 20 minutes.
Automobiles
You can get a taxi to Bells or hire a car at Sydney Airport. The Central Coast is about 100 kilometres north of Sydney. Take the Pacific Highway and exit at Gosford.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
To justify further gourmet indulgence, fossick around Bouddi National Park or any of the nine local beaches. Bushwalking maps are provided and tasty picnic hampers, backpacks and guides can be arranged. The more adventurous can swim or surf at Killcare Beach, charter a yacht or go whale watching. Talking of adventure, for an arrival to remember, take to the skies with Sea Planes Sydney (www.seaplanes.com.au; 1300 732 752), who charter flights from Rose Bay to Booker Bay. The 30-minute flight provides a bird’s eye view of the stunning Northern Beaches north of Sydney; once you have made your water landing, a boat will be waiting to take you to Killcare Wharf.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
