Review: Rydges Port Macquarie

I discovered a hotel in the heart of ‘Port’ that does comfort with style.

Turning into Hay Street, the shimmering Hastings River frames Rydges Port Macquarie like a postcard. Seagulls glide quietly in the salty air and now I immediately need fish and chips.

Location

Positioned on a stunning stretch of NSW’s East Coast, Port Macquarie (Guruk) is the kind of holiday town you dream of enjoying 365 days per year —if only you won Lotto.

In the centre of the historic quarter (white settlement began in 1830),The Glasshouse Performing Arts is a short stroll down Hay Street with restaurants, shopping, pubs and the cruise terminal all close by.

Location, location, location

The room

After an all-smiles and seamless check-in at the Scandi meets coastal lobby, I find there’s nothing between me and the view in our river-facing Deluxe room. The Hastings' quicksilver waters are a forever home to a handful of yachts and catamarans.

If first impressions count, our room's design gets 10/10. The recent chic makeover is stylish and comfortable. Deep sage walls with wainscoting add elegance, while seaside-themed black-and-white prints give the room a relaxed, contemporary beach house feel.

The lobby

The generous wardrobe/storage unit has plenty of space to hang clothes and stow suitcases. While the Nespresso machine and pods are welcome, the filled-to-capacity mini-bar fridge makes it challenging to find room for our byo goodies. 

Under chair rail strip lighting lends subtle golden light. It’s another story in the steel-grey bathroom, where an illuminated make-up mirror would make the world of difference. As a Deluxe Water View Twin with two Queen beds the room could also work well for families with young children. Rydges Signature Dream Beds make the thought of a nana nap extremely tempting.

The recent chic makeover is stylish and comfortable

Dining

Zebu Restaurant and Bar's waterfront location is a winner. The 'Italianish' menu's arancini, risotto and gnocchi sit happily alongside local raw seafood and three steaks.

Relaxed but efficient, it's a great spot to watch the sun clock off with a sundowner in hand. The bright saffron risotto with crab and garlic prawns is nearly as good as the pork belly with some downright cracking crackling and apple. We toast the sunset with a crisp, French Marquis de Pennautier Rosé.

Zebu Restaurant and Bar's waterfront location is a winner

But the biggest surprise is the tiramisu. Creamy but light, it easily rivals anything I've had in Italy. 

Zebu Bar does Happy Hour with cocktail specials and 'Friday night Fizz' with live music. It's a friendly, unpretentious bar designed with an eclectic mix of blond timber and plush velvet.

The food here is 10/10

Room service

We tested the In-Room dining menu with classic room service orders: fish and chips and a cheeseburger with shoestring fries. Served on a milk bun, the American-style burger (sans lettuce and tomato) is good, but the mustard, tomato sauce, and pickles overwhelm the rest. Fish and chips served with tartare, house salad, and lemon is the outright winner. 

We enjoyed the tiramisu so much we had to order it again along with two glasses of the excellent Riva dei Frati Trevisso Prosecco. Add some quality Netflix on the 55-inch smart TV and it’s a great night in.

Take a dip in the pool

Sustainability

There’s a choice of door hangers on our dining table. Rydges Red for the ‘too comfy’ do not disturb/make up my room and green for ‘Refreshing this room responsibly’. Hang this little number on the door knob before 1am to opt out of housekeeping. This green initiative will not only earn you a ten dollar food and beverage voucher —you’ll feel good giving the planet a helping hand.

The Standard King's spacious and modern bathroom

The extras

A small but well-equipped gym shares the first floor with a heated, azure blue pool bordered by a sand-coloured deck. The corner spa sits under shade. Open from 7am to 9pm it never gets too busy or noisy. Conveniently right next door, Port's favourite fish and chipper, Mike's Seafood, will deliver your order to your door as a Rydges guest.

What's hot

Location! Location! Location! While not surfside, the setting down by the river mouth offers something quite special. 

The location is spectacular at Rydges Port Macquarie

What's not

It’s 2025! Real espresso isn't an option at breakfast; it's a necessity. Charging extra seems penny-pinching when buffet breakfast is already $32.

The verdict: 9/10

Rydges Port Macquarie sets the bar high for a thrilling or chilling long weekend. It's a premium, well-located home base for uncovering Port's best family attractions from Ricardoes Tomatoes (and pick-your-own strawberries) to the new Guulabaa - Place of Koalas.

Room rates start from $346 per night. 

The writer was a guest of Rydges Port Macquarie.

Originally published as Review: Rydges Port Macquarie