Once a weary seaside block, Marina Resort is Port Stephens’ newest benchmark for swish coastal stays.
Nelson Bay lives in my memories as a series of salt-sprayed postcards. Childhood summers spent scanning sun-scorched sand for shells and silvery tides for dolphins; gums dotted with lorikeets; Bubble O’Bill ice creams from fish and chip shops.
But today I’m pulled back into the popular Port Stephens town, where my grandparents still live and which was recently named among Australia’s top 10 towns for nature and adventure, for another reason. Marina Resort, a once-forgettable hotel in an ’80s building, reopened last August following an overhaul by DOMA Group. The redevelopment is rethinking the holiday hotspot’s hotel landscape, promising a stylish cut above the sprawling caravan parks and paint-flaked cottages of old.
Where is Marina Resort?
Dive into the resort pool.
Five minutes’ walk uphill from Nelson Bay’s town centre, Marina Resort offers lovely views over the marina and bay beyond. Popular nearby beaches with calm waters include Dutchmanns Beach, Bagnalls Beach and Little Beach, while One Mile Beach is a sterling surf spot around 15 minutes away by car. For those keen to get some steps in, the start of the stunning Tomaree Head Summit Walk is a 10-minute drive away.
What is the style and character of Marina Resort?
Enjoy sweeping views of the ocean. (Credit: Gabriel Saunders)
Marina Resort is all about laid-back coastal living elevated by sun-washed spaces and design-forward details. From the moment my partner and I arrive at reception, I know we’ll be happy here. Staff are friendly and professional, and check-in is butter smooth. Pearly peach mosaics recall the bay’s shell-lined shores, while beige lounges edged with black piping sit opposite a brilliant sapphire-hued coffee table. It’s refined yet unpretentious.
The foyer balances neutrals with pops of colour.
Curated by Melbourne/Naarm design firm Stella Collective, guestrooms are a breezy blend of sand-hued linens, woven textiles, and sculptural wood that allude to Port Stephens’ native flora. I love that our Garden Terrace Room has a leafy private patio and an outdoor daybed overlooking the pool.
Earthy colours and texture bring the rooms to life. (Image: Gabriel Saunders)
Bedrooms are light and airy.
Find inspiration at the reading table. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
To my delight, the room also boasts partial ocean views, despite its location on the ground floor. While the bathroom is kitted out with Grown Alchemist amenities, the entryway houses a microwave, pod coffee machine, ironing board and mini fridge – though snack hunters such as myself will need to look elsewhere for their fix.
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AI Prompt
What facilities does Marina Resort have?
Plunge into the 25-metre pool.
That hunt leads us to reception, where guests can purchase packaged nibbles and beverages from the vending machines or foyer bar. Canned yuzu, lime and pineapple gin cocktails prove the zesty refresher we’re craving after a surf at nearby One Mile Beach. We bring a few down to the hotel’s north-facing pool area, which offers a pristine 25-metre pool and luxe double-sized day beds (no dingy plastic lounges here, thank you).
Rinse off under the outdoor shower. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Those accustomed to high-end hotels might miss the close attention of roaming staff, but for me, the self-service approach means we can enjoy the simplicity of a sunset dip without disturbance.
What is the dining like at Marina Resort?
The hotel has a food truck and outdoor tables. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
In step with the town’s easygoing, turtle-paced tempo, the hotel trades a restaurant for a pop-up food van open from 8am to 3pm. Here you’ll find freshly squeezed juices and light bites (think potato wedges, paninis, cereal and chia pudding) alongside several al fresco picnic tables.
We opt for a larger meal at The Little Nel, a buzzing local institution loved for its sunny deck and seasonal brunch menu. Later, we drive to Nelson Head Lighthouse – one of my favourite haunts for oven-warm scones and dazzling bay views at the cute little onsite cafe.
While more onsite dining options in the evening hours would complete the experience, it forces us to explore the town’s local dining scene. We dine at Taj Tandoori and love the authentic Indian flavours, though Dumpling Mamas Bar & Dining and Seabreeze Hotel Bistro and Bar are also popular spots.
Does Marina Resort have access for guests with disabilities?
Marina Resort offers accessible rooms.
Yes. Located on the top floor, the best room in the house is wheelchair-accessible, with grab rails in the bathroom.
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Is Marina Resort family-friendly?
Nearby Dutchmans Beach is perfect for families. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
Marina Resort’s spaces are family-friendly, though they are best suited to well-behaved or older kids as it has a fairly quiet atmosphere. The outdoor pool has a wading pool for children, and the rooms are spacious and reasonably priced – making them ideal for families. Guests can also venture to nearby beaches with calm waters perfect for swimming and fishing.
The verdict
A four-star, contemporary coastal refuge ideal for couples and groups seeking a polished yet relaxed stay. Marina Resort lends easy access to all the things that transport me back to carefree childhood summers here, with the addition of contemporary luxe. For this, I’ll gladly forgo table service.
Details
Best for: couples and groups looking to unwind in style by the sea
Address: 33 Magnus St, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Room rate: Stay between Sunday and Thursday to score nightly rates from $209, a welcome drink and late checkout.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.
Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.
Where to stay
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.
Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.
Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.
Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.
Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.
The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.
Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.
Where to drink & dine
1. The Bar
Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.
The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.
On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.
Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce.
2. The Place
Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.
On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.
3. Local gelato
Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)
What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.
What to do/see
1. GPO Heritage Tour
Be awed by the building’s history.
Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.
From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.
2. Circular Quay
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)
An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.
It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.
4. Theatre Royal
Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)
Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).
