ABOUT

About Hunter Valley Stays

Hunter Valley Stays is the No 1, privately owned, boutique Property Management and Short-Term Holiday Rental Accommodation agency in The Hunter Valley. We are an agency that values quality over quantity and puts our Owners investment and our Guests experience first.

We offer a unique and exclusive collection of privately owned, hand-picked holiday homes in the glorious Hunter Valley in regional NSW, Australia. From expansive, luxury vineyard estates to cosy country cottages, our collection is as special and unique as our guests.

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Our Portfolio

Our focus is on providing an elevated guest experience that goes beyond what traditional property management and real estate agents have offered. We have always taken pride in our strategic, small portfolio approach of under 70 properties to ensure we are always able to provide the highest level of service and care for our Owner’s property and for our loyal guests.

Our Approach

Prioritising quality over quantity serves the premium experience we wish to provide for our Hunter Valley guests for our Brand and Team. It also ensures we may be of service throughout guests stays and create experiences that exceed the market for quality, nightly rates, occupancy, and reviews.

Our Network

We collaborate with our Property Owners and Team of specialists, to build, check, prepare and inspect our properties to provide guests with a holiday rental experience within an Owners private home, that is memorable and unmatched in the Hunter. From the aesthetics to the functionality, all guest needs are thoughtfully prepared to meet our loyal and respected guests’ expectations.

MEET THE TEAM

The Owners of Hunter Valley Stays

The Owners of Hunter Valley Stays, John Vanson and Sasha Degen, alongside their team of 100% Hunter experts bring to the region and their highly valued guest’s decades of luxury hotel and property management, reservations, sales and tourism experience.

Each member of the Hunter Valley Stays team is a Hunter Valley local and takes great pride in sharing and guiding our guests not only to the best property to meet their stay needs, but also to share with them our local knowledge and experience of our beautiful Wine Country.

John Vanson

Owner and Operations Director

Eight years ago, John brought his unique blend of expertise, passion and dare we say, French flair to Australia’s greatest wine region, venturing into Ownership, Real Estate and Operations of Hunter Valley Stays.

As a world traveller, life before the Hunter saw John specialising in luxury procurement, opening iconic Four Seasons’ Hotels worldwide and working on projects for renowned hospitality group Merivale. So, it’s safe to say John knows luxury hotels and hospitality like the back of his hand.

Born in Versailles, John hails from a prestigious lineage of French winemakers from Champagne and the Loire Valley and studied Oenology at Lanson and Hotel Management at Cornell University. John isn’t just about business — he’s a real estate agent, pilot, ski instructor and fabulous cook, easily navigating both skies, slopes and properties whilst dreaming of great canapés!

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Sasha Degen

Owner and General Manager

Sasha is a seasoned advertising, marketing and media professional with over 20 years of experience with enviable luxury, lifestyle and digital brands specialising the joyous worlds of fashion, interiors, food and travel.

Educated in Fashion & Interior Design, Communications & International Marketing with Diplomas in Government Policy and Classical Opera she parlayed from big brands to the colourful world of Sydney Festival as a Director and continues to be a creator, explorer and agent of experiences.

Wine Country’s call was answered 24 years ago when her family established their petite vineyard, cellar door and accommodation in Pokolbin. This connection to country continues today through her company, viticulture adventures and as Vice-President of Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism and Committee Member of Broke Fordwich Wine & Tourism.

Away from travel and wine, Sasha is obsessed with her miniature horses Truffles & Caviar, renovating and finding architectural gems at auctions.

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ACCOUNTS

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RESERVATIONS & Accounts

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RESERVATIONS

“We look forward to welcoming you to a Hunter Valley Stay.”