What could be more loved-up than a long weekend in Lovedale? This button-cute town in the Hunter Valley, just two hours’ drive north of Sydney, is not only a wine-lover’s Eden, but also home to a tempting array of restaurants, galleries and chichi activities, from hot-stone massage to hot-air ballooning. Romantic Hunter Valley hotels abound, but our pick for a truly seductive stay is Tonic.

A fine example of Antipodean shabby chic, Hunter Valley boutique hotel Tonic offers the kind of laid-back living that wannabe jackaroos go to bed dreaming about. This adults-only retreat is made up of four corrugated iron, timber and glass buildings, each home to two striking suites that offer an updated take on Australiana.

Owner Nici has created perfectly pared-back interiors with polished concrete floors, cool white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows and a hand-picked mix of modern furniture and quirky artworks. Kick back in the sumptuous king-size bed, strewn with alpaca-wool cushions and luxurious throws, soak in a sublime bath filled with luscious Aesop products, or splash about in the 15-metre saltwater pool.

Spend your days tasting semillon and shiraz from the Hunter’s famed wineries, including big guns such as Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood and Mount Pleasant, and rising stars Andrew Thomas, Audrey Wilkinson, Margan and David Hook. Lunch at Leaves & Fishes or cosy Mojo’s on Wilderness, where you can also stock up on tasty deli goods and prepared meals for later.

Come sunset, arm yourself with a bottle of wine and a platter of cheese and olives from the Tonic Lounge, then sit on your private balcony and watch the sun slip behind the majestic Brokenback Ranges.

There’s no need to dress up for breakfast in the morning. Along with French champagne and gourmet snacks, the fridge is loaded with the makings of a fantastic three-course feast, including croissants, smoked salmon, fresh fruit and locally made cheese. In fact, Nici has taken the minibar concept to a whole other level, turning the entire room into some kind of fabulous boutique. Lusting after those Legnoart salt and pepper shakers or that handsome leather armchair? All you have to do is ask…

To really fall head-over-heels for Lovedale, time your visit to coincide with the Lovedale Long Lunch, 14–15 May 2011, when local wineries and restaurants team up for a brilliant moveable feast.

To book your stay at Tonic visit boutique hotel collection Mr & Mrs Smith (www.mrandmrssmith.com) or call Mr & Mrs Smith’s Travel Team on 1300 89 66 27, 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.