November 2009 - New South Wales Tourism Awards - BRONZE AWARD
Somewhere Unique was presented with the ‘Bronze Award’ in the ‘Unique Accommodation’ category at the 2009 New South Wales Tourism Awards.
The NSW Tourism Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year. The Awards are a submission and inspection-based competition and provide the opportunity to publicly recognise and showcase the State's finest tourism operators.
October 2009 - Wireless Broadband installed
The in-room broadband facility has just been converted to wireless, so if you do need to bring your laptop along with you, enjoy the great outdoors at the same time!
October 2009 - New South Wales Tourism Awards - FINALIST
Somewhere Unique was announced as a Finalist in the ‘Unique Accommodation’ category at the 2009 New South Wales Tourism Awards.
September 2009 - Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards - WINNER
Somewhere Unique was the WINNER of the ‘Environmental Excellence in Business’ award at the 2009 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards.
This is an award for the business which displays a high degree of environmental excellence. All businesses who enter are eligible for this award.
August 2009 - Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards - FINALIST
Somewhere Unique was announced as a Finalist at the 2009 Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards.
August 2009 - Hunter Region Tourism Awards - WINNER
Somewhere Unique was the WINNER of the ‘Unique Accommodation’ category at the 2009 Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism.
This is an annual competition for tourism businesses, suppliers to the industry and outstanding individuals, in which a submission is prepared in response to a series of questions and is supported by a site visit to assess business excellence.
July 2009 - Hunter Region Tourism Awards - FINALIST
Somewhere Unique was announced as a Finalist in the ‘Unique Accommodation’ category at the 2009 Hunter Region Tourism Awards.
April 2009 - Helicopter Landing Facilities now Available
Guests staying at Somewhere Unique can now organise a restaurant transfer with Slattery Helicopter Charters. They will collect you from the property and transfer you to one of a number of restaurants in the Hunter Valley, including a scenic flight over Mt View.
March 2009 - Climate Action Certification
Somewhere Unique is Climate Action Certified, being granted Climate Action Innovator certification. This level of certification is for businesses who have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction and are auditing and measuring their carbon footprint.
The Climate Action Certification Program is dedicated to ranking efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It is designed for all sectors of the tourism industry, regardless of size and level of carbon reduction already undertaken. It includes tourism accommodation, attractions, tours, transport, restaurants, travel agents, tourism commissions and industry bodies.
February 2009 - Driveway Repairs
The driveway to the Retreats has been widened, graded and rolled.
December 2008 - Check Availability and Book Online
The availability at Somewhere Unique can now be checked online, via our user friendly calendar. You can also book and pay for your accommodation online.
November 2008 - Mini-Bar Service now available at Somewhere Unique
Somewhere Unique now has a range of Australian wines and beer available for guests to purchase, conveniently located in your retreat.
November 2008 - New South Wales Tourism Awards - SILVER AWARD
Somewhere Unique was presented with a ‘Silver Award’ in the ‘New Tourism Development’ category at the 2008 New South Wales Tourism Awards.
The NSW Tourism Awards are held annually to celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year. The Awards are a submission and inspection-based competition and provide the opportunity to publicly recognise and showcase the State's finest tourism operators.
October 2008 - New South Wales Tourism Awards - FINALIST
Somewhere Unique was announced as a Finalist in the ‘New Tourism Development’ category at the 2008 New South Wales Tourism Awards.
August 2008 - Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism - AWARD OF DISTINCTION
Somewhere Unique was presented with an ‘Award of Distinction’ at the 2008 Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism, in the ‘New Tourism Development’ category.
This is an annual competition for tourism businesses, suppliers to the industry and outstanding individuals, in which a submission is prepared in response to a series of questions and is supported by a site visit to assess business excellence.
July 2008 - Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism - FINALIST
Somewhere Unique was announced as a Finalist in the ‘New Tourism Development’ category at the 2008 Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism.
June 2008 - New Midweek Package
New 3-night ‘Sample the Hunter’ midweek package added to the Somewhere Unique website, including: late check-out, a dinner hamper from Cafe Wollombi, lunch at Tatler Cafe in Lovedale, a VIP tasting at Tamburlaine winery, entry to Hunter Valley Gardens, and more ...
June 2008 - Accredited Tourism Business
Somewhere Unique becomes an Accredited Tourism Business.
This process initially involves a written submission outlining all business practices, including: customer service, relevant industry approvals, insurances, staff training, occupational health and safety, operational procedures, and marketing. Claims made in the submission must be backed up by documented proof. You can be assured that Somewhere Unique is run in a professional manner.
June 2008 - Eco Tourism Accreditation
Somewhere Unique is Eco Certified by Ecotourism Australia, being granted Nature Tourism Accreditation.
Following a rigorous assessment process, Somewhere Unique is now the only Eco Certified accommodation property in the Hunter Valley. The definition of Nature Tourism is: "Ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas". Ecotourism and nature tourism certification provide travellers with an assurance that a certified product is backed by a commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences.
May 2008 - The switch to 100% Green Power
Switched to Jack Green Energy for our electricity needs, ensuring that an amount equivalent to 100% of the energy we use has been or will be generated by Green Power generators, using renewable energy sources and delivered to the national electricity grid.
May 2008 - Phones and broadband for guests
Direct dial telephones and broadband internet connected to each retreat.
March 2008 - Green STAR Accreditation
Somewhere Unique is granted Green STAR Accreditation by AAA Tourism.
To be awarded a Green STAR, a property must achieve adequate points against a set of practical environmental criteria, including: energy efficiency, waste minimisation and water management. This shows our guests we are responsible and committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business.
March 2008 - STAR Rating Assessment
Somewhere Unique is rated 4.5 STARS by AAA Tourism in the Self Catering category.
The STAR rating scheme is operated by AAA Tourism, and provides independent, accurate and credible ratings for a range of accommodation types. Businesses are assessed annually by a trained assessor on the level of facilities, maintenance and cleanliness. They also have to provide proof of insurance. Over 500 criteria are used to assess a property and determine its rating between one and five STARS.
March 2008 - Open for Business
Somewhere Unique is open for business! After a long and arduous journey, we are ready to welcome guests to our tranquil retreat.
Somewhere Unique -
Hunter Valley accommodation - Wollombi NSW
luxury, privacy, couples only - bush retreat, weekend escape,
wine stay, romantic getaway, honeymoon - environmentally
friendly ecotourism
