A colourful new Hunter Valley stay is turning heads
A new Airbnb has just opened its doors in the Hunter Valley, and if the photos are anything to go by, it's unlike anything else in the region. Here you can be sure to find your own slice of paradise, or what owners Samantha and Jessie like to say, slice of Paradiso.
Paradiso is a Miami Art Deco-inspired retreat sleeping up to 10 guests, just 10 minutes from the heart of Pokolbin. Think bold pinks, maximalist interiors, statement wallpaper, with the venue even offering its own sparkling pool and pickleball court.
It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you have just arrived in Palm Springs, and that's entirely the point.
Behind it all are Samantha and Jesse, both 29, who had no background in renovation or interior design when they took on this project 18 months ago. Samantha is a speech pathologist; Jesse, an electrician.
But what they lacked in experience, they more than made up for in determination and help from friends and family, who jumped on board to help out.
The pair did almost everything themselves: Sam laid all the wallpaper, did most of the tiling, and wielded a spray gun on the exterior.
Jesse's trade skills kept things moving, while family and friends showed up to move gravel, clean up concrete dust, and help get the place guest-ready. It was, as Samantha puts it, "a huge team effort."
Samantha and Jesse didn't set out to become Airbnb hosts. They set out to buy a house.
But somewhere between scrolling through overpriced properties on the Mid North Coast and a spontaneous 'what about the Hunter Valley?' the plan shifted and a seemingly derelict Bellbird Heights property with horsehair walls and gaps in the floorboards became the unlikely foundation of something really special.
The vision for Hotel Paradiso came from a love of funky, eclectic interiors,
“When you walk in, it's like you're transported somewhere else. You leave all your problems at the door." Samantha says.
The maximalist interiors have that feel of Coachella and Palm Springs, with gold accents, chandeliers, patterned tiles, and colourful wallpaper around every corner.
Paradiso is ideal for birthdays, hen's weekends, or simply a Hunter Valley getaway with your crew. With the space sleeping up to 10 and wineries like Hanging Tree just 9 minutes away and Roche Estate 12 minutes down the road, you're perfectly placed to explore the valley by day and come home to your own private oasis by night.
Or simply have your own staycation at the property, laxing by the pool or challenging your friends in a Pickleball tournament, at Hotel Paradiso's private pink and blue pickleball court.
Samantha and Jessie wanted to design the space with that idea of sharing the space with your group of friends, that's why Hotel Paradiso even has a dedicated get-ready station with velvet chairs, vanity lighting, and mirrors that makes it purpose-built for groups celebrating something special.
"We made something pretty cool that we are really proud of,” Samantha says. "We're keen to share it with everyone."
Find your own slice of paradise at @paridisoestate on Instagram, with a direct booking link in the bio.
