Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

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.

Cradle Mountain Lodge is all about location. It’s conveniently within walking distance (about 5 minutes) of the Interpretation Centre / Ranger Station shuttle pick-up, and right on the Enchanted Walk (a 20-minute, 1.1 km boardwalk stroll) where you might spot pademelons or even a wombat if you’re lucky. The lodge also overlooks a pretty pond and feels very much immersed in nature. We stayed in a Pencil Pine Chalet Cabin, which was cozy with two armchairs facing a gas fireplace, a small fridge, Nespresso machine, kettle, and a complimentary bottle of wine. Cellular service worked fine, but there was no Wi-Fi in the room (only available at main reception). The cabin walls were thin, and unfortunately, we could hear a baby crying through the night. Of note, the pipes can freeze, leaving no hot water in the morning. It would have been nice if staff had warned us about this in advance. The hotel can sell you a combined 24-hour visitor pass and shuttle ticket for $30 AUD per person, but if you’re staying more than a day or visiting other national parks, it’s cheaper to buy from the Visitor Centre instead: Vehicle pass: $95 AUD (covers up to 8 people for 2 months) Shuttle pass: $15 AUD per person for 3 days (kids under 18 ride free but still need a park pass) Note that neither the Ranger Centre nor the shuttle itself sells tickets or passes. We did several walks. Dove Lake Circuit, Ronny Creek to Waldheim to Dove Lake, and the Marion Lookout Walk. The Ronny Creek area in the late afternoon gave us the best chance to see wombats, and the Marion Lookout trail was the most scenic (can start from either Ronny Creek or Dove Lake shuttle stop). Breakfast was good with plenty of hot and cold options, but lunch and dinner choices were limited. The Highland Restaurant was overpriced and underwhelming (reservations required), while the Tavern Bar had better food but was still expensive. Overall, this is the best-located hotel at Cradle Mountain to be right in the wilderness and within easy reach of the shuttle system. If you value convenience and a nature-immersive experience, it’s worth it, but know you’re paying a premium mainly for the location and atmosphere.