June/July 2007 issue
Australian
Places bed & breakfast news forum
Please
take a moment to leave your own comments or news items relating
to luxury B&Bs, cottages and small hotels in Australia. For
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here. Your helpful comments, published here, can benefit guests
and operators.
Beechworth
- when I visited in May 2007, Indigo Shire was looking for a
new tourism officer. More than a few tourism operators in town
are anxious for this to happen very soon.
The town is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations
and deserves an energetic tourism officer - other towns
have lost tourist traffic through lack of keeping a place
"on the map." (North-east & Alpine region)
Blue
Ridge Inn at
Mt Macedon is still operating as per normal, for now, says owner
Philip Clay. This boutique hotel on the northern slopes of Mt
Macedon has provided a good combination of guestrooms and dining,
with terrific scenery, for several years. (Melbourne & Surrounds
region)
Marwood
in the Grampians, is in the very capable hands of the owner's
son. It is operating as usual, according to co-owners Ian
and Irene, who are living in the big smoke for the present
due to a health hiccup. I wish you guys good health - the first
5 star self contained place in Victoria deserves a permanent high
ranking. (GOR & Grampians).
Marlo
Hotel, at the mouth of the Snowy river near Orbost. Haven't
heard any rumours about this place have you? Would love to hear
what's going on there.PR (Gippsland)
Beechworth,
again... When I was there in May I visited the new micro-brewery,
located behind Tanswells Hotel. It was a bit early in the morning
to take up the offer of a beer sampling, but according to my
local friends the brewery is a huge success and some pubs even
have the beer on tap - commendable support of the town's new enterprise.
Open for beer sampling daily - your comments please? PR (NE& Alpine)
Full
page B&B reviews have proven successful on the Australian
Places website. Properties say they have received enquiry
from my site when they've opted for the full page review. To better track web dynamics I am asking B&Bs
to offer a free bottle of wine on arrival to people who mention
Australian Places when booking. Contact me.
Burswood Homestead, Portland. I stayed at this B&B in May while visiting the region's accommodation and natural attractions. Owners Carol and Ken are working hard to keep the heritage gardens and bluestone mansion in shape, but years of drought have taken a toll. The significance of this and other heritage buildings seems to be overlooked - Portland had an important part to play in the settlement of Victoria, and Henty's homestead was for a time the jewel in the crown of the city. Help, from a government instrumentality, please! The tourism potential here is enormous. (GOR & Grampians)
Australian
Traveller magazine will be feature a full review of Wombat
Hills Cottages in their next issue - due to hit the newsstand
some time in July, I believe. This is a direct result of the magazine
editor viewing the cottage photos on this site, again proving the value
of full page reviews. It will also promote Australian Places.
Ski
Season is almost upon us and as of early June, my favourite
piste at Mount Buller has received its first dump of snow. Here's
hoping it'll be a big season - it's overdue in Victoria. Favourite
places to stay - Arlberg (for average family
accomm and food, ski-in, kids activities), Andres B&B
(upmarket rooms and lovely hosts, ski-in if season normal), Grand Chalet (very good hotel rooms, bottom of Bourke Street run, great facilities),
Breathtaker (I used to stay here when it was first built
many years ago; very good suites), Abom (ski-in,
a few good-quality guest rooms, older ensuites, new apartments,
all-day dining), Duck Inn is renowned for its terrific food, though I haven't tried it yet. There isn't a place on the mountain that's a
true bargain during ski season, but that's the price of enjoying
an action holiday in the Australian alps. If climate change is
upon us, go now while you can!!!
Winter
B&B specials - these places have a special
deal for the winter months:
Holmwood Guesthouse, Phillip Island. Excellent B&B in Cowes. Stay three nights B&B for the price of two, Sunday to Thursday ph (03)5952 3082
Merton Manor, Warrnambool. Apart from excellent rates for suites, receive a free bottle of wine from a local winery with your 2-night stay. ph (03)5562 0720
The Bank Restaurant & Mews,
Beechworth. Weekend package of two nights accommodation, breakfast, chocolates, port and 1/2 hour massage, three course dinner for two (excluding beverages) for total of $520.00 (03)5728 2223
Ti Tree Village, Ocean Grove, loft spa cottage 2 night weekend with one dinner and cooked breakfast, bubbly, $697 per couple. (03)5255 4433
Emeu Inn, Heathcote, 2 nights in a spa suite, French champagne and afternoon tea on arrival, a 2-course restaurant dinner for 2. Fr $485 per couple (03)5433 2668
The Moorings at Metung 3 night escape package, 2 tickets aboard cruise boat, $50 voucher to Metung Hotel, cooked brekky provisions - $480 in one bedrm apartment (2&3 bedrm avail). School holiday package also avail. Gippsland Lakes (03)5156 2750.
To access these deals please mention Australian Places when booking.
2007 newsletter archive: April/May
If you would
like your B&B reviewed for possible inclusion on this site,
need professional photography, or guidance on how to achieve success
in the B&B business, just contact me.
For the past
25 years Peter Robinson has travelled far and wide but Australia,
being home, is his first love. As an experienced travel writer
and professional photographer, his wealth of knowledge is revealed
in travel and accommodation reviews that have freelance integrity
and honesty. The main focus of this site is to present brief reviews
of a select group of places to stay for the weekend. Each place
has been visited at least once and evaluated for high standards
before inclusion - and after reviewing over 600 places Peter has
done the hard work so you can enjoy Great
Weekends Away.
