Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

We were very happy with our stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge and stayed in a spa cabin. The cabin was spacious, comfortable and well equipped, with a wood-burning stove, a jacuzzi bath and everything we needed for a relaxing stay. The service throughout was very good – staff were friendly and welcoming, and the food was excellent. The surroundings are truly exceptional, and the lodge is perfectly located for walking and exploring the Cradle Mountain area. I was quite surprised by some of the negative reviews on TripAdvisor. This really is a place to switch off and enjoy nature – if your idea of a holiday is sitting on your phone or watching TV, this may not be for you. If you do want screen time, it’s worth downloading films before you arrive and embracing the remote setting. When we weren’t walking the many well maintained footpaths we enjoyed watching the wildlife on site, the many Pademelons, Echidnas, Wombats and Platypuses. The only downside for us was that the tavern was extremely busy on our second evening. It appears to be very popular with people not staying at the lodge as well, and we couldn’t get a table there. However, we went to the main restaurant without a booking and were pleasantly surprised to be accommodated despite it being busy. The food was delicious and the staff were very helpful. A final bonus was the availability of laundry rooms on site, which was incredibly useful after nearly three weeks of travelling and gave us the chance to catch up on washing. Overall, a fantastic stay in a beautiful location, and we would recommend.

Stunning location, absolutely beautiful surroundings… BUT Be aware there is no phone service (well - not Vodafone or Optus), and no wifi in any of the cabins. There’s not even TV’s in the rooms. You can’t check tomorrows weather, book a bus, watch the news, read an email, check your flight, - or post your stunning photos to social media to brag to your mates. Furthermore - they have two TV’s in the main bar -but if you want to watch any live sport before 12 (like the Ashes cricket) you are given a resounding “no” by the Manager. I was not even permitted to watch in reception - where the TV stayed on “random world photographs” mode… What a joke! So thanks for nothing Manager Kim Barnes - who refused all of my reasonable requests to watch my favourite sport… (Not in person mind you - she didn’t leave her office - leaving her lovely staff to pass on the news). My request to watch a TV were not immoral, not illegal, or not even slightly difficult. I was offered no reason - other than Kim refused to use her discretion in order that a long term Diamond guest could enjoy some sport while his wife and friends did some nature walks! Seriously - what the hell has happened to friendly hospitality????

To put this in perspective, I'm a Tasmanian guy so well familiar with fair local value. You will not find any good value in this shabby place. Paid $680 inc breakfast for my wife and I. Not a huge rate but was deluded by the tricked up web photos to believe it might be pretty good. Big mistake. Check in was very poor. The staff guy with poor English checked in a European with poor English. Fine. I get the need to help out tourists etc but please don't make me wait for 30 minutes while the staff with language barriers attempt to explain the pros and cons of 5 walking hikes to a guest with language barriers. Please. All I want is to give my details and get my key. Scrappy photocopies of hiking trail maps that look like they were done in 1970 don't help. The room itself is a total joke. No WIFI (ok I can go without) and no TV. Seriously. When quizzed, staff told me it was because people came for a "wilderness experience ". Really. Pouring with rain, 12C and I forgot to pack a book. I did feel sorry for a young family with little kids. One thoughtful staff member suggested they could borrow a set of draughts from the "lodge". Great fun. No TV. No internet coverage. Rain. Draughts. Dodgy room. A wilderness experience I guess is one twist Peppers will put on it. Shabby room, creaking floorboards, stained and torn curtains, blocked flue to a woodheater that isn't safely covered. Top that off with a lousy view of a few mangy man ferns. Breakfast was OK but pretty stingy. Powdered scrambled eggs, half raw fatty bacon sort of standard. All up I honestly and in fairness to Peppers would think $250 would be OK, but not great. For $680 it's a rip. But for its proximity to a national park (which by the way you can't see from the lodge but I did know that) I'd say worth no more than $150 a night.

The highlight of our trip to Cradle Mountain Lodge was a private guided walk around Crater Lake with Stan, the activities manager. We learnt so much about local fauna and flora as well as local history. Highly recommended! We also very much enjoyed our hot stone massages at the spa where the lovely Senna made us feel very nurtured. On a less positive note this is not a luxury destination, the facilities in the rooms definitely do not warrant the hefty price tag (no internet, no central heating, worn furnishings). The staff were friendly but seemed to lack training, service was chaotic at times. Food was average and very expensive (minimum spend of $105 per head in the Highland restaurant, not including drinks).

Massively overpriced for what’s on offer. Old and tired accommodation. Poor service and dreadful food. The public Tavern was okay. Pizza was good. Room rate should be around $250 a night. Breakfast was powered eggs and sandwich loaf white bread. Like being on school camp.