More than half a century after first welcoming guests to Tanunda, one of the Barossa’s long-standing hotels has entered a new era as Mercure Barossa Valley.
The move into the Mercure brand marks the latest evolution of the 52-room property, which is set across approximately six acres of lawns and gardens, conveniently located near central Tanunda.
It also brings Mercure Barossa Valley into Accor’s global hotel network. Guests can join the ALL Accor loyalty program for free to access member rates, earn Reward and Status points on eligible stays, and redeem Reward points towards future accommodation.
Long before it carried the Mercure name, the property opened in 1973 with a simplier offering and large circular restaurant designed in a traditional German style.
Today the Mercure Barossa Valley, settled among some of the regions best wineries, makes a great base for the perfect winter escape.
Angus & Co. Barossa is open to hotel guests and local diners.
The onsite restaurant, Angus & Co. serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to hotel guests while maintaining a strong following among Tanunda locals.
There’s also a quietly good weekly specials menu, with $30 burger nights, schnitzel Wednesdays and Pizza Night Thursdays. For families, dinner is made a little easier too, with kids eating free from 5:30pm to 6:30pm Tuesday to Thursday when an adult orders a full-priced meal.
“People come in for happy hour and for the weekly wine tastings we hold in our nice little cellar at the front,” General Manager Michael Krueger said.
With happy hour prices including $9 pints, $8 wines and $14 cocktails, it’s really the best place to settled in after a day spent exploring rolling vineyards.
Although each month, the restaurant brings a winery to you by hosting a different Barossa winery, with free tastings held every Friday for guests and locals. Presented by the winemakers themselves, the sessions give visitors the chance to learn more about the wines and meet smaller producers, including some without permanent cellar doors of their own. The next featured wineries coming up include Corryton Burge and Wolf Blass.
After the tasting, guests do not have far to go. The hotel offers refurbished ensuite rooms with king-size beds, luxury spa suites and two-bedroom apartments suited to couples, families, groups and longer stays.
Accommodation ranges from king rooms to spa suites and two-bedroom apartments.
Despite sitting within Tanunda, the property’s generous lawns, established gardens and setback position give it the relaxed feeling of a country retreat.
During the warmer months, guests can move between the restaurant and outdoor areas, settle onto the lawn with a picnic blanket or make use of the family-friendly lawn games.
Tanunda’s cafés, restaurants, pubs and shops are also around a relaxed 15-minute walk away, along with several nearby wineries. Guests can head into town for dinner or a tasting and return without needing to get behind the wheel.
For those exploring further afield, Mercure Barossa Valley is centrally positioned for discovering more than 150 wineries across the region, from Seppeltsfield and the northern Barossa to Angaston, Lyndoch and beyond.
The hotel has also spent decades hosting local milestones, from weddings and large birthday parties to a guest’s 100th birthday celebration. Michael even noted one couple married at the property around 40 years ago, returned for their anniversary, requesting the same room they stayed in on their wedding night.
“We host weddings, birthday parties and all kinds of celebrations,” Michael said. “The hotel has also been booked out for weddings and events, as well as car clubs that use the private parking and hold car shows on the front lawn.”
There is even one piece of the hotel’s past hidden beneath the original restaurant: a large cellar that is not currently open to guests. Michael cheekily hinted the team are working on a way to utilise it in Mercure Barossa Valley’s next chapter.
With a new identity above ground and more history still hiding below, this is your sign to plan a Barossa getaway, settle into Mercure Barossa Valley and explore wine country from a hotel that has been part of the region for more than 50 years.
For birthdays, anniversaries or a well-earned escape, Mercure Barossa Valley e-gift vouchers also offer the chance to give someone a stay in the heart of the Barossa.
Mercure Barossa Valley
Where: 235 Murray Street, Tanunda
To book your stay, click here.
