The Fernglen Forest Retreat

Location: 10 Fern Glen Avenue, Mount Dandenong, au

Star Rating: 8.4 Stars

Property Type: Bed and breakfasts

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Pets allowed
• BBQ facilities
• Sauna
• Non-smoking throughout
• Board games/puzzles
• Public Bath
• Outdoor furniture
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Smoke alarms
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
• Food delivered to guest room
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Private picnics
• Japanese garden

Rooms Available

• Windmill Lodge

  Guests will have a special experience as this holiday home features a fireplace. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware in the kitchen. The holiday home also has a barbecue. The holiday home offers a washing machine, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as garden views. The unit offers 4 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Interconnected room(s) available
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Tumble dryer
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Electric blankets
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Semi-detached
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Klara's Studio

  This studio's standout features are the hot tub, spa bath and fireplace. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware in the well-equipped kitchenette. The studio also has a barbecue. The air-conditioned studio offers a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Heating
  • Fireplace
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Electric blankets
  • Coffee machine
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Brook Cottage

  This bungalow offers a fireplace. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the fully equipped kitchen. The bungalow also provides guests with a barbecue. The spacious bungalow provides a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a washing machine, a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker as well as garden views. The unit offers 3 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 7 (7 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Washing machine
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Tumble dryer
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Electric blankets
  • Coffee machine
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Spa Cottage

  Guests will have a special experience as this bungalow provides a hot tub and a fireplace. Featuring a private entrance, this air-conditioned bungalow is consisted of of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-fitted kitchen. The bungalow also has a barbecue. The bungalow offers a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Electric blankets
  • Coffee machine
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

• Jacuzzi Lodge

  This holiday home features a hot tub, spa bath and fireplace. Featuring a private entrance, this holiday home consists of 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware in the well-fitted kitchen. The holiday home also provides guests with a barbecue. The holiday home provides a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, as well as garden views. The unit offers 3 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Interconnected room(s) available
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Barbecue
  • Cleaning products
  • Electric blankets
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Semi-detached
  • Clothes rack
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Pool towels
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Key access
  • Hand sanitiser

Guest Reviews

• Alicia (8/5): It was a beautiful stay but a few drawbacks made it slightly uncomfortable. - The property was located in a beautiful area in the mountain ranges and the cabin felt like it was in the heart of the forest. While our cabin was close by to the next studio cabin, it was still isolated enough to make it feel like we were by ourselves. The instructions to get there were easy to understand and the owner communicated well. The cabin has most things needed for self-contained accommodation. Bird seed was provided to feed the local birds which came up to the cabin to eat. There were many walks and hikes nearby which are absolutely beautiful. There were no sponges to wash any of the dishes, cutlery, and pots/pans with and we needed to use disposable towels instead. Extra bedding is needed to be requested for the sofa bed instead of already being in there and there were no extra pillows (I had to steal them from the bed). The sofa bed mattress was quite thin and could be uncomfortable for some. The hot water was temperamental and would turn off in the middle of a shower or take a few minutes to turn on in the first place. The power tripped multiple times at the end of our stay even though we had all power points turned off except for those necessary. The lights outside would flicker quite frequently and turn off completely sometimes.
• Jennifer (10/5): - The location was amazing, felt so private tucked away in the forest, waking up to the mist in the mountain and listening to all the bird calls was truely magic and a needed escape from the city.
• Kenneth (10/5): Incredible serenity, peacefulness & scenery! - This is our 2nd time staying in ‘Jacuzzi’ cabin at Fern Glen Forest Retreat with my husband’s 94 year-old Mum. Ie - importantly - we really wanted to come again! Scenery, privacy & atmosphere is incredible with very tall gum trees that just go straight up tall all around! Beautiful small yard, full kitchen, visiting birds, fabulous comfy lounge room with open fire & full kitchen. We were able to share the few days with our border collie as well! The driveway in is an adventure, but well worth it! A couple of maintenance issues - light globes out, no plug in kitchen sink, but management were responsive & overall just an incredible place to experience. Thankyou so much to the owners.
• Nicki (9/5): -
• Kaysha44 (10/5): - Beautiful cottage and the scenery is gorgeous would highly recommend going there
• Sue (1/5): -
• Yvonne (10/5): -
• Sylvia Dz. (10/5): Wonderful! We can't wait to visit again :) - The description and photos of the location don't do it justice. It's absolutely stunning! The King size bed we were sleeping on was a little squeaky due to the tiny slats barely holding the mattress. We could see the host tried to remedy this by putting two solid sheets of particle board to strengthen the support, but being on the heavy side, we felt a bit scared sleeping on it. It would have been much better had it had a proper base – the ones you find in ensembles or at least hard-timber slats on the frame.
• Tanea (10/5): - Beautiful get away , highly recommend Barbecue not good sorry
• EVE CATHERINE (9/5): -
• Nelson (8/5): Very restful amongst lovely forest surrounds. Pet friendly and picturesque - The setting and proximity to Mt Dandenong. Not applicable
• Jessica (10/5): - Absolutely stunning location, even better than I imagined! It's so nice being in the cottage with the fire going on a chilly night
• Gian Franco (8/5): Idyllic slice of nature interrupted - Location is exceptional, literally in the forest. Loved the fireplace and cozy nights around it. Tranquil and relaxing house and surroundings. Seeing 2 workers walk past the front of the living room repeatedly and unannounced. I understand that wood needs chopping and restocking in the cabins to allow for the beautiful fireplace. I'd suggest organising these works while guests are NOT in the premises, trying to relax and enjoy how secluded and in touch with nature the property is. Regretfully this was a major disruption while my pregnant partner, 14 month old and myself were trying to relax.
• Taryn-Louise (10/5): - Its a magical place
• Rita (8/5): -
• Namrata (8/5): It was a beautiful and a peaceful getaway - The fact it was in nature The maintenance of the facility could be better
• Barrkman (7/5): - Trees surrounding the space. Driveway for my van.
• Jade (7/5): -
• Hayley (8/5): -
• James (8/5): -
• Nancy (9/5): -
• Howard (8/5): - Absolutely beautiful and restful location. Very quiet. The springs on the mattress made it very uncomfortable and it dipped in the middle.
• Vanessa (10/5): -
• Patricia (7/5): Nice getaway - Loved the birds, quiet space, spa was relaxing, private, nice layout. beautiful view. Bath plug was blocked and sink plug was mouldy, coffee machine didnt work, lots of cob webbs and dust on the roof.
• Isabella (10/5): The perfect overnight getaway - Super clean, beautiful location, amazing communication
• Giselle (7/5): Tranquil forest retreat. - Beautiful environment with lots of trees and birdlife. The outdoor spaces and fire pit are just what the soul ordered. Peaceful and secluded but near excellent coffee and local villages. I was staying with my friend who is visiting from overseas. We had a blissful and memorable catch up. What woud have made it exceptional in all areas would be investing in a decent fold out couch and more useful kitchenware. I was on the fold out bed, be warned there's no bedding supplied for it and its not comfortable as a bed or couch. Luckily I brought a sleeping bag. Likewise it woukd be great to have comfortable seating. One chair snagged clothing and none if them matched the relaxation of the surroundings. Minimal kitchenware, eg there was no dishcloth, some of the cutlery is plastic, all of the knives are dull.
• Dr Edward (8/5): - The location and the kitchen (renovated) - The mattress is very old and fully worn off. You simply sink and ditch in the middle of bed once you lay down on the bed. Please replace it and inform us to re-book once this is done. Unfortunately 2 nights I could not sleep while every other thing was good. - the bathroom and toilet were too old/not very clean. - the bedroom doesn’t have no privacy lock
• Dan Ping (9/5): - The host was prompt to communication.
• Swathi (9/5): -
• Ash (8/5): Stunning experience in nature, the house felt like home, highly reccomend. - The property was so beautiful, and the hosts communicated clearly with easy-to-follow instructions on getting into the property and accessing the keys, etc. We brought our own bird feed (they already had some at the property). Stunning verandah to feed the birds, which was a highlight of our experience. The house is well designed and newly renovated, which makes it feel more homely. Soft, warm ambient lighting enhanced our stay, creating a sense of relaxation and rest. The house was well stocked with everything we needed, including cleaning products, cooking utensils, baking paper/foil, cutlery, plates, toilet paper, towels, and lots more. It's great that Fernglen allows pets; our dog enjoyed the stay with lots of places for walks/toilet breaks, etc. Thank you for our stay, we would highly reccomend, and we look foward to staying again down the track! Although the property is beautiful, it comes with a very unstable driveway that could pose an issue for some with no experience. The bedroom door was wide open when we got into the retreat, and there were spiders everywhere in the house; however, that is what comes with staying in that area. Some feedback to enhance the stay would be to address the smell in the house; the first sensory experience upon entering is a strong factor in the first impression, maybe a diffuser or air purifier would help. Some curtains and privacy in the main lounge/kitchen area, for safety at night. This was a big one for us, as it is for most people: feeling safe when you're away from home is a priority. These aren't negatives, just important notes to consider 😊
• Shelby (8/5): -
• Robertson Family (10/5): Amazing break with total seclusion at a lovely home that had everything including a jacuzzi - The accomodation was lovely, had everything you want with complete seclusion and total privacy had an amazing hot tub. It also has the opportunity to travel in a larger group and book additional connected accomodation The road in to the property was a little difficult to navigate and find our accommodation.
• Jeesi (10/5): -
• JustCoastin (10/5): A beautifully unique experience!!! - Fantastic location surrounded by marvellous forest views. Very quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. Lots of beautiful coloured birds right outside the window. Large fridge and a well stocked kitchen with everything needed to cook meals. Clean and warm with large comfortable furniture and a woodburner. Big bedroom with a very comfortable bed. The hot water system broke, but the owner organised a plumber to come within the hour. Plenty of parking, but the property was a little challenging to get to if driving a larger vehicle. Very steep and narrow in places. The previous visitors used up all the paper and kindling, making it difficult to get the fire going. Not good, as it was getting cold when we arrived.
• William (8/5): - The quiet and all the bird life, so close to anything you could need. Great vibe, cosy and private.
• Scott (10/5): Amazing, comfy bed and perfect escape from the city! - Beautiful place astounded by amazing views !
• Chanelle (8/5): Beautiful, relaxing and cosy! - Location was amazing. Fire was cozy! Spa excellent feature for relaxation. Easy self check in process. Fire pokers etc were broken and difficult to use but i made do.
• Natalie (10/5): Loved everything about this retreat, especially the jacuzzi. Regret not staying here a little longer - Honestly, I loved everything about it! The moment you walk in, all the decorations and furniture was amazing to look at. Really clean as well. We especially loved the fireplace and jacuzzi. Everything was worth the dollar. Didn’t get to use the campfire because I only stayed one night but I’ll definitely return and stay longer. Highly recommended!! Nothing! There’s nothing to not like.
• Emily (9/5): -
• Su (5/5): - I stayed for two nights and the accommodation was generally comfortable. However, after check-out I realised I had left my charger behind the bedside lamp. I contacted the host soon after, but was told nothing was found. It was disappointing, as the charger was quite valuable. I’d remind future guests to carefully check all their belongings before leaving.
• Zine (6/5): Although the property was in a great location it was let down by the fact it was an older property in need of more gener - The property was in a very nice quiet picturesque rainforest location. You really felt you were in the middle of nowhere away from the city. We also loved the bird life as the parrots were very friendly. The spa wasn’t very clean and in need of more general maintenance. The property is obviously quite old and dogeared as it needed new taps new tiling as there was mould in the grouting. The tea and coffee facilities need to be topped up. The fireplace didn’t work very well and I’m not sure if the wood was damp or green or the fireplace was at fault.
• Natalie (8/5): Weekend getaway - Beautiful surroundings. Gorgeous cottage. We enjoyed a peaceful relaxing weekend stay. Outdoor Fire pit was a highlight Shower taps leaking but got fixed promptly
• Shantelle (8/5): -
• Stefanie (8/5): -
• Dana (8/5): - Loved the bird feeder out side the kitchen window, seeing the birds outfront was a highlight! the fairy lights and outdoor fire pit made beautiful photos 🥰 also loved the house decor and location. Butt the mattress was uncomfy and didn't feel very private outside, like the other cabin members could walk up to us while we're in the jacuzzi...
• maddy (10/5): - Amazing location, cottage literally in the middle of the forest!!
• Belinda (10/5): A MUST STAY!! - Honestly as hard-working business owners that get caught up in the hussel of busy city life, this was the perfect get way between Christmas and New Years. To unplug and just be was everything to us. This property had all the comforts of 5 star luxury, including, dishwasher, Cooktown, fridge, BBQ, woodfire, air-conditioning, spa and more. For us, just listening to the wilderness, having a great variety of birds visit was the perfect time to read a book, play a game, take peaceful naps and recharge. We purchased food from the local IGA and literally stay in for 2 straight days. Will 100% be back. The parking was unexpectedly steep and the driveway was narrow. Next time would definitely bring my 4x4 rather then my little city car, although it was fine! I imagine it might be scary for non confident drivers, especially in the wet weather.
• Jiwon (8/5): Location and facilities were very nice. Highly recommend for the family vacation - Jacuzzi was very warm and nice to spend time with friends. Not major but only one bathroom was bit uncomfortable for the big group of people
• Raymond (10/5): - Everything Zero
• Daniel (10/5): -
• Megan (9/5): - Thank you Renee for such a lovely stay! Will definitely come back! It was such a lovely spot and very accommodating for me and my dogs. Firewood and fireplace was so cozy too! 🙏 🤍
• Courtney (9/5): Satisfied with my stay. Would stay again. - The birds, the overall value for money and the view outside. There are a lot of dust bunnies behind the bed head.
• Chantal (10/5): The most beautiful place in the midst of the forest - The nature and birds on our verandah We loved everything
• Reza (7/5): It would be a wonderful experience if the owner could be more flexible. - The location was fabulous. The fireplace with wood was fantastic. A major problem was lack of true flexibility with timing and other services. Indeed, for any extra support or service, the provider would ask for some money to be paid through direct deposit to their bank account. For instance, for bringing a pet, there was an extra fee, with no justification on what that extra fee would cover (normally places in booking.com either allow pets or not allow). The check-in time was 3 pm and check out was 10 am. The 5-hour interval between each check out and next check in seems unreasonably long and could be shortened to give a better experience to guests. When we asked for a checking out at 12 pm instead of 10 am, again there was a request for bank transfer (so late check out was feasible and possible, but for a cost - seemed like a money grabbing opportunity and not customer-friendly). The room facilities were also not excellent. There was an electric heater that we wanted to use at the start, but it was not working. Also, tea and sugar provision was pretty thin and some were missing.
• michael (10/5): Beautiful retreat - The room was amazing as was the location. There is nothing here not to like.
• Brockwell (10/5): Great private getaway - Location was fantastic - close to everything and very peaceful. Really loved the birdseed and being able to see the cockatoos and rosellas come right up to the window! Communication with the hosts was excellent, would absolutely stay at the property again.
• Jayne (10/5): A total romantic peaceful getaway. - The location was perfect set amidst the forest, greenery and nature. A very tranquil calming break away. Loved the visiting cockatoos and rozellas they quickly became friends. Warm welcoming jacuzzi with amazing views absolutely perfect again. I cannot recommend this place enough. Nothing
• Renee (10/5): -
• vanessa (7/5): Beautiful surroundings to look out on. Neat & tidy home inside with good facilities. Loved feeding the birds. - The location. The birds. It was clean. When I first arrived, I was worried about the condition of the property as the outside of the building is quite run down, but once I opened the front door it was neat, tidy & warm inside. I took my 82y.o. Mum with me & she found it hard to navigate the front 3 steps without a rail to support her.
• Chloe (10/5): -
• jadconcae cleaning (10/5): -
• Brandon (10/5): Had the best time - Tucked away in the trees with an open fire was a perfect setting to rest and relax.
• wen (8/5): - The view from the kitchen window was just beautiful, the birds right there, we even saw some deer's going down the road. Not much
• Lisa (10/5): Tranquility and nature , winning combo . Would definitely recommend. - Nestled away in the rainforest makes you feel like you are a million miles away. Such a beautiful idyllic setting. Loved being able to bring my puppy along , and took advantage of walking a little along the creek . The birds were so amazing , coming down for their birdseed and getting up really close. It was raining when we arrived but that just added to the overall ambience , sitting next to the wood fire watching the birds and the rain falling was just the break I needed x Nothing to say negative
• Annie (1/5): Not a good experience. Will not recommend to anyone - Only the location. The property was not clean. It is rundown and had an odour. Outside was not clean either. There were bugs/insects inside the house, and even on bed. We had to shorten our trip as it was not safe for the toddler. The route to the location is also very tricky and one needs to be careful.
• fiona (4/5): - Nothing False advertisement
• Stephanie (3/5): Uncomfortable - The location The bed was incredibly uncomfortable and caused us significant pain to sleep on. I ended up sleeping on the lounge
• Lisa (7/5): -
• Martina (10/5): -
• James (10/5): The stay was incredible made even more so by the lovely caretaker. My car got bogged and Renata (the accomodations conta - The location was perfect and the accomodation was incredibly neat and tidy. The fire and heating kept our stay nice and cozy during some colder weather. Can’t fault it.
• Jaqueline (7/5): - Cute little cottage in Mount Dandeong that is perfect for a short stay as a couple. Well equipped. It was great that we could bring our little fur baby along with us. Great location - only a short drive to a number of different attractions. Unfortunately the bed and pillows are really uncomfortable - as we stayed for 3 nights we were pretty unrested by the end of our stay. Could be worth noting, although it's pet friendly, there is no fenced off area/no gate on the patio.
• jadconcae cleaning (10/5): - Communication was fantastic robyn was delightful she made an terrible weekend fantastic Nithing
• Daniel (10/5): -
• Celina (8/5): Rainforest oasis - A beautiful little oasis in the forest. Modern and comfortable and clean. Perfect for a private getaway. Beautiful place and the view was amazing, the spa overlooking the forest was magical. Modern and pleasing. Cosy and relaxed 😌 We were disappointed with checking in, called as we wanted to make sure we were at the right location. Couldn't find our booking, told us we hadn't booked and it was the wrong day. Was a bad start to our night away! The general amenities, which were scarce from lighting the fire, no paper, wood was damp, no ice tray, fridge was smelly, only 2 towels for room with a spa, baskets filled with games, cards and random stuff was messy and disorganised, candles melted in the lanterns wasnt replaced and unusable , no spare candles, so unable to have any ambience to enjoy our night away for my birthday. For a mid week stay and only 1 night, the cost is $450. It was extremely disappointing for that price with lack of care and general upkeep.
• Greg (7/5): Great location and property - Loved the wildlife at your doorstep and the location was amazing. The heating was great and it was a large house. I didnt like that the sauna was an extra cost that I don't believe we saw this in the ad prior to booking. The driveway gave me anxiety, it was very steep and narrow with missing concrete in parts.
• Peter (9/5): A very interesting location and lovely lodge. - A brilliant location set in the forest. The lodge was very spacious and the heating, both fire stove and gas heater, were very warm and welcome. This is a very tranquil and interesting area particularly if you like to be close to nature.
• Kieran (10/5): - The environment was amazing. Waking up and seeing a deer, wallabie and birds was unforgettable. The fireplace was an added bonus to the already great ambience. Maybe extra towels
• Causevic (10/5): -
• Elaine (9/5): -
• Victoria (7/5): Lovely getaway but needs some attention … bath - Location was v nice really felt I was in a rain forest We thought we’d booked the jacuzzi but it wasn’t and it wasn’t clear. The place was rustic but also felt dirty, especially the bathroom Not the beds they were good.
• John (10/5): - The location and peaceful atmosphere was stunning. The addition of a fireplace, and having birdseed made each morning special. Would be amazing to have access to a laundry/washing machine for such a large house.
• Damien (9/5): -
• Laurel (9/5): -
• JAYDE (1/5): I’ll start off with the best thing about the property, its location. Covered with forestry, birds, flowers& the loca - Location. I’ll start off with the best thing about the property, its location. Covered with forestry, birds, flowers& the local parks, hiking trails a few little paths to reach the flowing river straight from the property itself, the location was beautiful for many endeavours. Come to entering the property, I noticed the entire place was filthy… the benches, the rubbish, and even a cupcake in the third room. This was a serious risk for my mini dachshund, who is very lucky his recall is great, otherwise could have eaten this. The couches smelled, there were no coffee/tea cups only wine glasses & the beds were my least favourite, we were all rolling around on springs all night. The water lasts for about 15 mins before it turns cold, and theres only a bon outside, so you have to walk out each time allowing the heat to leave the home. We were in the windmill lodge, and no where did it say that I had to share the space with other families ie: see door Photo, where the lodge is actually cut into two. Therefore, feeling very close, and hearing even a cough. Due to the lack of care and cleanliness of the property, I wouldnt advise taking your pup or children thete anytime soon. The retreat has great potential, but at this time it is seriously lacking safety, cleanliness and professionalism. Hopefully we can return at a much later date, when things are much more comfortable.
• Karen (5/5): I wouldn’t go there again, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone - It was ok, when l arrived the cleaners had left the floor very very wet , and nearly slipped over If we wanted to use the spa it was an extra $60 for the first hour then $50 after that I thought that was a bit rude and expensive. The bedroom doors the one I the room I was in couldn’t even shut the door because there’s no lock in it my Friend’s room couldn’t access the door properly to go to the bathroom. I would’ve expected firewood in all that stacked up near the fire ready to go but that wasn’t there. The driveway at night time was very dangerous. I actually hit the undercarriage of my car because of the central of the pathway, the lighting in the entrance and along the driveway there is none it was pitch dark overall view of the place. It would be good if they would maintain the premises a little bit better than what they did And rethink about the cost they want to charge people for using this far.
• Elizabeth (8/5): -
• Atishma (1/5): NOT WORTH THE MONEY.. - Location Very poor accommodation front deck missing floor board rotting floor very very dangerous lighting some area's not working spider web all over the tunnel. Looks like it was a very basic clean. Back entertainment area outside absolutely terrible dirty furniture very dirty. not worth the money i give it a 1 star location was very nice its a shame the cottage was in such poor shape and needing urgent repairs before someone falls through the deck OHS issue. Was very concerned for our safety and especially for our puppy. No heating in the bedrooms. Front door has a large gap and cold draft coming inside. NOT WORTH WHAT I PAID FOR...
• Andrew (10/5): - It was relaxing, beautiful surroundings, it was great to be able to bring our pets along. There was no spa as advertised, at least not in our (Brook) cottage, it must have been for the other cottages but that was one of the main reasons I booked, but other than that it was a lovely stay,
• Romy (7/5): Beautiful Location - The property is beautiful, the house is stylish, the hot tub is good and birds beautiful Hot tub could have been warmer being winter and some kitchen amenities would have been nice too.
• Piemontese (10/5): Exceptional -
• Ally (10/5): Exceptional -
• Samantha (7/5): Good -
• Jessica (8/5): Very good - The cottage was cosy and clean. We didn't meet the owners but they were incredibly helpful in the lead up to our stay. The instructions provided were incredibly helpful. The location was lovely, isolated enough to feel relaxed but close enough to town to get what we needed. The fire pit outside was burnt through and unusable, cigarettes littered the ground in and around it. I understand that this wasn't the owners fault, but a clean up prior our arrival would have been nice. The bird seed jar was basically empty when we arrived, leaving none left for us to feed the birds - which was a selling point for us. A scratching noise in the ceiling kept us awake a lot (possibly a possum), but we informed the owners and they said they would look into it, which was good. There were also 2 empty containers of laundry liquid/powder which was a bit disappointing - either remove them or refill them. The larger wardrobe in the bedroom was padlocked, and the smaller one was filled with bedding, leaving us minimal storage for our clothes.
• Marijana (8/5): Location was amazing - Location is amazing, the jacuzzi was hot and ready to jump in. The wildlife was so good…thanks for providing bird seed. That definitely was a highlight. The mattresses didn’t have protectors on them. All the beds were uncomfortable. Not enough cutlery we had 1 spoon and 4 guests trying to eat soup.
• Phillip (5/5): Better cottages in the area to stay in - Located perfectly Couldn’t get the tv working despite multiple attempts and no internet,fireplace door was broken and bed very uncomfortable
• Marleine (10/5): Exceptional -
• Pamela (6/5): This is a beautiful place but the accommodation is lacking in certain areas. - Property is in a lovely quiet part of the Dandenongs. We were aware that the access to the property was difficult but it was worse than expected. The lodge was cold and therefore uncomfortable. The wall heater didn't work and an open fire is not enough for that space. On top of that, the wood was damp so it didn't burn well. Also the whole place smells of smoke which isn't pleasant. The floor heating in the bathroom was either not turned on or not good enough. Also the shower tap might look nice but is quite difficult to set to a pleasant temperature.
• Andrea (9/5): Superb -
• Fiona (8/5): Comfortable and location central to where we wanted to explore - It felt like we were in the middle of a rainforest and it was so quiet Front deck needs a little attention
• Roberta (7/5): Good - Location, amenities .

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