Sequoia

I am disappointed to write this review My husband and I visited Sequioa Lodge for two nights as a first step to our honeymoon. We live in Adelaide and thought that we are lucky enough to have this resort locally, why travel for an experience like Sequoia offers when it really is in our ‘backyard’. We were so excited for this experience, especially being seasoned travelers and reading up on the reviews. Let me start with the negatives, which are about lack of attention to detail which were not expected on our stay. When we were greeted on arrival we were offered a glass of bubbles. We mentioned that Shaun didn’t drink alcohol and to just bring one for me. Our host brought over 2 glasses of sparkling wine - strange lack of attention to detail was my initial thought. The host showered s through our room which was stunning. When running through the rooms she showed is the fridge which included beverages included in our stay. I mentioned again that Shaun didnt drink alcohol and she warmly offered to replace the alcoholic options in our room for non alcoholic options which was lovely - except they weren’t supplied until reminding her the following day. We were booked into room 12 which has a huge tree just in front of the balcony which completely blocked the views of the piccadilly valley that Seqouia advertises. Interestingly looking over the line of balconies we were the only room that had the views completely blocked. We didn’t complain…. We went for the cheese tasting experience and as wine was being poured for the 6 participants Shaun asked if instead of wine he could have a soft drink, to which ‘of course’ was exclaimed - but never came, until I interrupted half way through the experience to ask again. Our itinerary had us scheduled at 4 o’clock in the foyer for a walk through of the grounds. We turned up at 4 to a desolate front desk. After waiting until 4.15 and thinking we simply were in the wrong place, finally someone came out and asked us if we needed anything. We mentioned we were meant to be having our tour of the grounds and when checked on we were the guy doing the tour was busy doing something else and wouldn’t be long. I was trying to stay positive…. It was our first day and at $1400 per night I really wanted our experience to be special…. But already I was feeling it wasn’t going to be. We had been booked into the ‘elegant and fine dining’ restaurant under Sequoia’s advice for dinner. We were taken through the main dining room into a second area. I honestly felt forgotten about over dinner, to the point at one stage I actually went out looking for staff to see when our mains were coming as we sat between entree and main for 45 minutes without anyone checking if we wanted a drink our simply acknowledging we were there. The main I ordered was a prawn bisque fettuccini which was so heavily smoked (which I later googled smoking is the ‘modern’ way of making bisque) it was inedible. Still, I simply wanted my ‘amazing’ so at the end of day one I didn’t complain. We were then meant to enjoy ‘stargazing’ through the telescope which I had been SO excited about! The moon was a brilliant full moon and the sky was completely clear. The same tour guide from earlier was trying to set up the telescope but all we could see was a fuzzy yellow blur! He had no idea what he was doing. What a joke, and terrible ending to our first day. The other guests there told us the next day they used their bird binoculars in the room instead! We went back to our room to find a note saying that the chef had prepared a nougat as an ‘end of the day treat’ however- there was no nougat! Just the note. The second day was slightly better. I had the most AMAZING spa experience at gatekeepers spa. And a delicious wagu burger and oysters on the balcony in our room for lunch. Our intinerary had us booked into the hot springs at 7.45pm to enjoy the sunset. When we got to the hotsprings, our pool had wet dirty towels and empty plastics wine glasses strewn around our pool. Was I crazy for expecting the pool to be enticing and prepared for us??? I moved the towels and glasses and the whole hour we were in the springs no-one came to tidy them. The last morning at breakfast when asked what we’d like to drink, I ordered a juice and coffee, and my husband asked for just a coffee. He was brought a juice! By the same host that brought him sparkling wine on arrival and didn’t deliver on his alcohol free beers she had offered. He said to me ‘she just hasnt acknowledged my needs this whole 2 days’ … and he was right. Truthfully, it just left me feeling sad that he was made to feel unacknowledged by the staff. I know others have left amazing reviews and I truly wish I could be leaving them too. But Sequoia was a big NO from me. The staff make all of the difference and the staff and attention to detail you expect at this price point at unfortunately ruin the experience you would expect.

My wife and I recently travelled with friends to Australia and spent 2 nights at the Sequoia. We arrived in the evening well past the dinner hour, were immediately and warmly welcomed and offered dnner and drinks which we gratefully accepted. We drank, ate and talked while overlooking the magnificent Adelaide Hills. After dinner and quickly settling in to our spacious, modern and beautifully appointed suites, we soaked in the outdoor hot tubs with champagne in hand. Our stay was short but memorable. Food, service, staff, rooms, grounds were all excellent. Sequoia was a wonderful choice.

Our experience was exemplary. Location was perfect for us. The staff were friendly helpful accommodating and did anything to make our stay comfortable. One staff member parth met us at the airport on his day off to return items left at the lodge.

Check in to Check out, the experience was absolutely flawless.

My partner and I had a couple of fantastic nights at this place. The service, food, staff, room, activities and the views — everything was top-notch. We were even lucky enough to meet Charlie the koala, who lives in a tree by the staff car park. A few wonderful days where we relaxed 110%