Travelodge Newcastle Hotel, Newcastle

Mushroom and potato soup

So these photos aren't my best but in the interests of thoroughness, I'm posting them anyway.

Our recent weekend mini-break to the Hunter Valley saw us spend the Saturday night at the Travelodge in Newcastle. Only an hour's drive from the vineyards, it easily provided the best value accommodation for our money. There were a few problems reported with air-conditioning units (those that rang reception had it fixed immediately) and the pool was more a four-stroke puddle, but our rooms were modern, clean and very comfortable.

We'd pre-booked a group dinner, choosing our 3-course dinner (three options in each) in the morning and phoning our orders to the hotel restaurant ahead. Particular standouts of the evening were the roast duck spring rolls and the Baileys creme brulee (no picture, sorry - I'd moved seats by then and the available light there was even worse).

Disappointments included the parmagiana (in the shape of Australia!) and a fair number of steaks that were cooked to well-done instead of medium rare. I was the only person who ordered it rare and it came out medium rare just as I'd predicted - it was perfectly tender much to the silent pain of others!

Otherwise service was reasonably attentive. Warm bread rolls for everyone and a tasty main for our resident vegetarian.


Homemade bbq duck spring rolls
with sweet soy and lime on a crispy noodle salad


Smoked chicken Caesar-style salad
with mixed leaves, garlic croutons, fresh shaved parmesan and soft egg


Crispy-skinned Atlantic salmon fillet
with spicy watercress salad, salsa verde and roasted kipfler potatoes



Chicken parmagiana served with salad


Vegetable korma


Grain-fed sirloin steak served with creamy mashed potato and garlic sauce


Flourless double Belgium chocolate cake
with sweet berry sauce

Travelodge Newcastle Hotel
15 Steel Street, Newcastle NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4926 3777

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Hunter Valley 2008/1: Maitland Gaol tour
Hunter Valley 2008/2: Morpeth Pie Man and Morpeth Sourdough
Hunter Valley 2008/3: Dinner at the Newcastle Travelodge Hotel
Hunter Valley 2008/4: Vineyards and cheese tasting

Hunter Valley 2007/1: Cessnock
Hunter Valley 2007/2: Vineyards, cheeseshops and an olive centre
Hunter Valley 2007/3: Lunch at Harrigan's Irish Pub
Hunter Valley 2007/4: A vineyard, cheeseshop and beer brewery
Hunter Valley 2007/5: Dinner at Chez Pok