Salt at Shoal Bay Review

I doubt I’m alone in using Instagram as a tool to find accommodation for going on holiday. Being such a visual platform, it’s the perfect place for spotting intimate and cosy hotels, or airy and spacious AirBnBs. It was on the social media platform that I spotted Salt at Shoal Bay. Safe to say it wasn’t long before I started to pester my husband about booking a holiday there. It’s a bit of a splurge, however a baby moon seemed like the perfect opportunity.

For one, we’d previously stayed at Nelson Bay which we loved, so neighbouring Shoal Bay was a no-brainer. The proximity to the beach was hugely appealing; I’m not joking when I say it is literally across the road. Plus, it was an opportunity to stay in a space that had a calming atmosphere. To me, that was the perfect way to wrap up the second trimester before we started to properly prepare ourselves for our wee one to enter our lives in 2020.

In terms of price, I’d pop this in the luxury accommodation category; especially if you’re travelling as a single couple, like we were. We paid $620 per night for Salt Three, which isn’t too bad if you’re staying with a second couple. Salt One and Two are around the $1200 per night price point, with both sleeping 6-8.

CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT AT SALT AT SHOAL BAY

The check-in process at Salt at Shoal Bay was simple. In the week leading up to the trip, I’d received confirmation, and the day of, I received details for the small lock box where the keys were located. Similar to staying at an AirBnB, you arrive, and get to start enjoying the space immediately. Check-in starts at 2pm, and I would say we arrived a couple hours later around 4pm.

The check-out process was similarly simple. We tidied up after ourselves. The property needs to be left in the same condition it was found. So the morning we departed I ensured all the dishes were clean and put away, and I popped all the towels in the laundry for cleaning. We also disposed of any rubbish in the on-site wheelie bins. Unfortunately we weren’t able to snag a late check-out, though it’s worth asking when you arrive *just in case*. Salt Three is incredibly popular as it’s a smaller size so perfect for one couple, and almost half the price of staying at Salt One or Two. Once we were ready to leave, we locked up, and popped the keys in the lock box, and made our way back home.

ACCCOMMODATION & FACILITIES

Quite often, I feel like pictures can be deceiving. It’s an opportunity to pick your best self, or your best side. Not with Salt at Shoal Bay. It’s a big statement to make, but to me it was even more idyllic than the photos suggested. Salt Three – where we stayed – is a charming cottage, with a living space, kitchen, dining area, and laundry/powder room on the lower floor, and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the upper floor. As it was just the two of us, we utilised one of the bedrooms as a dressing room space.

There’s all the mod cons you’d expect; air-conditioning, television, Wi-Fi, microwave, oven, fridge, outdoor BBQ. Oh, and an outdoor shower for rinsing the sand off your skin after a dip in the water.

One of the things I personally loved, were the black out windows in the bedrooms. Both have gorgeous skylights which makes the rooms feel light and bright, and the electric black out curtain meant you could easily have a good sleep-in, without having to worry about the sun waking you up at 6:00am.

The beds are comfortable, the shower has great water pressure, and the living space felt like you were on vacation. Being able to hear the sound of the waves from inside the house was a bit of a treat, too.

THINGS TO DO

There’s a small booklet packed with things to do, but a couple recommendations if you’re in the area…

Chill out at the beach | This one is a total given, but I thought I’d throw this in there anyway. The most appealing factor of staying at Salt at Shoal Bay (aside from the beautiful space) was its proximity to the beach. It’s a stones throw away – perfect if you just want to go for a quick dip, but also convenient if you’re planning to spend the entire day there and want to be able to nip back to the accommodation for whatever reason. We stayed from 1 Dec – 4 Dec and we had the beach to ourselves most times we went. If you’re visiting with little kids, then I would suggest driving round to Little Nelson Bay. It’s enclosed, no waves, and is fairly shallow so great for the wee ones to have a splash (under your supervision, of course!).

Do a hike to Gan Gan Lookout or the Tomaree Mountain Summit | I’m up for any excuse to go on a hike, and both of these lookouts are totally worth it. If you’re strapped for time, I’d recommend prioritising Tomaree Mountain; the summit gives you a spectacular 360 degree view, with the rich hues of the ocean at every turn. Gan Gan Lookout is an easier hike, and will give you a completely different experience – the feeling of being well above all the trees as you look out at native Australian bush.

Visit the Nelson Bay Lighthouse | Again, a sucker for a view, I loved dropping in here on our trip. There’s a little cafe that gives you beautiful views of the ocean and beach – perfect for grabbing an iced coffee before heading on your way.

Dine at Rick Stein’s at Bannisters | This is an absolute must, and a total treat. We’ve eaten here both times we visiting the area, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The menu is heavy on seafood, which is fitting given the view from the restaurant is of Port Stephens Bay. Either book in for a long lunch, or a dinner feast.

Get drinks at Shoal Bay Country Club | SBCC has been completely renovated in the past year, and it’s light, bright and leafy. It’s also right across the road from the beach. It’s the perfect spot to drop in for a couple of drinks before settling in with a BBQ at Salt.

Indulge in a great brunch | We’ve eaten at a few different spots in the Nelson Bay area, but I think my favourite hands down is IN HOUSE Kitchen. The menu leans on the more healthy end of the spectrum (they have a great nourish bowl!), and the coffee is fantastic. It’s also attached to a small homewares store, which is worth a little browse after you’ve filled up on brunch. The Little Nel is also a great option if you’d like a water view – can confirm the coffee and food here is also delicious.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Outfit #1: Marle white tiered dress, Saint Laurent slides, JW Anderson logo bag

Outfit #2: RUBY lavender mirella bodice & skirt, Boden wedges, JW Anderson logo bag

Outfit #3: Matteau black tiered dress (affordable alternative here and also here), Jo Mercer sandals (old but I love this similar style with the very low block heel), Tradlands bag

Outfit #4: Karen Walker gingham mini dress (old but this one is cute for summer and I LOVE this style), Louis Vuitton Neverfull in MM size, Saint Laurent slides, Mejuri pearl earrings