The Castle - Villa by the Sea

Location: 7-9 Steele Street, Cowes, au

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Hotels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Terrace
• Family rooms
• Non-smoking throughout
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Smoke alarms
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Japanese garden
• Health or beauty spa nearby
• Beach club nearby (surcharge)
• Beach toys

Rooms Available

• Family Room

  2 Queen Beds and 2 Twin Sofa Beds

  Layout - 2 bedrooms

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, cookware/dishware, and coffee/tea maker

  Sleep - Premium bedding and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathrobes, a hair dryer, and towels

  Practical - Iron/ironing board

  Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and air conditioning

  Need to Know - Toothbrush and toothpaste not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 6 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Electric kettle
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste available
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste not available
  • Change of towels (on request)
  • Change of bed sheets (on request)

• Erehwon Spa Suite

  1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

  Layout - Bedroom

  Relax - Rooftop private spa tub

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, cookware/dishware, and coffee/tea maker

  Sleep - Premium bedding and bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathrobes, a hair dryer, and towels

  Practical - Iron/ironing board

  Comfort - Fresh bed sheets (on request), fresh towels (on request), and air conditioning

  Need to Know - Toothbrush and toothpaste not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Bathrobe
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Electric kettle
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private spa tub
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste available
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste not available
  • Private spa tub (rooftop)
  • Change of towels (on request)
  • Change of bed sheets (on request)

• Deluxe Double Room With Balcony - Broadwater

  The double room provides air conditioning, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • CD player
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Terrace
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Smoke alarm

• Deluxe Suite With Spa Bath - The Castle

  This suite's standout feature is the hot tub. Boasting a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and a shower. A kitchenette fitted with a refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster is available for cooking and storing food. The spacious suite offers a tea and coffee maker, a seating area, a wardrobe as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • CD player
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Sofa bed
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Smoke alarm

• Deluxe Suite With Spa Bath-The Garden

  This double room offers a hot tub. The double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • CD player
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Terrace
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Smoke alarm

• Deluxe Double Room With Balcony - Yackatoon

  The double room offers air conditioning, a seating area, a balcony with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • CD player
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Smoke alarm

• Deluxe Suite with Spa Bath - The Erewhon

  Guests will have a special experience as the suite offers a fireplace. Featuring a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. The well-fitted kitchenette features a refrigerator, kitchenware, a microwave and a tea and coffee maker. Boasting a terrace with garden views, this suite also provides soundproof walls and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Kitchenette
  • Radio
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • CD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Fireplace
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Sofa bed
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm

• Queen Room with Spa Bath

  The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a bath. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Tile/marble floor
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Linen
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm

• Deluxe Family Suite

  In the well-fitted kitchenette, guests will find a refrigerator, kitchenware, a microwave and a tea and coffee maker. The spacious family room features air conditioning, a private entrance, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 4 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 5 (5 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • DVD player
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Private entrance
  • Sofa
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Toaster
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm

Guest Reviews

• Robert (10/5): -
• Carolyn (10/5): Wonderful! - Great place to stay! Close to the beach, pubs and town! It was like having your own “little cottage” - Private and very comfortable! Nice deck with a spa bath! It was good to have a fire too! Nice grounds to walk around in. Andre was very friendly and helpful! Would definitely recommend The Castle!
• Clinton (10/5): Amazing location, clean place, nice owner. - Location was amazing. Place was clean, and cosy! -
• Sheldyn (10/5): -
• Christina (9/5): - Host was very flexible with checking-in. Exceptionally convenient location. Comfortable bed and sofa. Spa was a bonus. Beautiful garden. Lots of stairs - ok for us but not for people with mobility issues. Wifi kept dropping out.
• Colm (10/5): Nice stay in Cowes - Accomodation was very comfortable with very nice furniture. Jacuzzi bath out on the balcony added to the character and charm of the place..Andre the host was very friendly and accommodating. Nothing to didlike.
• Naomi (10/5): Great short stay - Cosy, clean and comfortable
• Mary (10/5): - Every bit of this place was amazing we stayed in the spa suite and it was so beautiful and cosy. So close to the esplanade just a quick walk to the shops and the beach. It is also run by 2 amazing people Andre & Ruth. Always there to help if needed and so friendly.
• Simon (9/5): Loved it, cosy, clean and comfy - We loved everything. Clean, comfortable and close to the main st, and the beach.
• Jeffrey (10/5): - It was large and very comfortable
• Dawn (10/5): - We stayed in the garden suite - it was so lovely, had a charming English cottage feel. The room was clean and bed comfortable. The garden was very nice too. Great location.
• Ema (10/5): Lovely relaxing stay with exceptional hosts! - My family and I really enjoyed our stay at The Castle Villa by the Sea! Not only was the suite spacious, clean, and full of natural light, but Andre and Ruth were extremely kind and helpful in navigating Phillip Island. The villa is perfectly tucked away on a side street near the bustling main streets of Cowes, but only a short walk away to those amazing cafes, shops, and restaurants. We had such a relaxing time and would definitely go back!
• Deliala (10/5): Very happy customer 😀 - Beautiful place and friendly owners. Garden suite was cozy and breathtaking. Well maintained. Closer abd walking distance to the beach. I had to leave such a beautiful place.
• Bernd (10/5): Lovely spacious suite, which was very relaxing and in a great location. - Lovely spacious suite, which was comfortable, clean and very relaxing. Great location, close to the beach and shops. Nice personal touches. Lovely large garden at back of property. Will definitely stay again. Bernd Nothing
• Gregory (10/5): Pleasantly Surprised - We loved the ambiance of the Garden suite and the uniqueness of the room and layout. The shower was kind of indoor/outdoor and we thought it would be COLD but it wasn't. It was actually comfortable. The owners were available to answer any questions. We would definitely stay there again.
• Thish (10/5): - We had a wonderful stay at the Castle. It was clean spacious, and everything was provided by the owner. Outside spa was a bonus. Overall we were very happy . We will definitely recommend this place to others and will come back again. I would like to thank Andre and the family for great and effective communication and quick and easy check in and check out and for making our holiday a pleasant one:)
• bob (10/5): -
• Cinimin (10/5): -
• ronen (10/5): - צימר משפחתי של אנדרה ורות הנהדרים במחיר מצויין ובאווירה קסומה, מתאים לזוג שאוהב גם רומנטיקה במיקום מושלם בפיליפ איילנד.. אין אפשרות בישול או חימום אוכל אבל לנו זה לא הפריע
• PAUL (10/5): Enjoyable and relaxing stay in beautiful accommodation. - The location of our accomodation was perfect. It was within walking distance to shops, restaurants and amenities. Good proximity to the esplanade, the pier and the beach. The decor in our Garden Spa Suite was beautiful, very relaxing and a lot of thought had gone into the furnishings and products that were provided eg toiletry items, tea, coffee etc. Thank you to Andre and Ruth, our hosts, that made are stay memorable, nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend to family and friends. Parking was very limited on site, however there was on street parking. Having said that once the car was parked we were able to walk to everywhere we wanted to go.
• Shwetha (9/5): Peaceful and restoring. - Location and the garden. The serenity was wonderful. NA
• John (8/5): - We had a lovely suite - the Garden Suite - in a most gorgeous setting. The gardens are really beautiful. The suite was spotless and the owners very helpful. The only downside was the shower, which is appended to the bathroom. It was bracing in the cold weather but would be lovely and refreshing in summer. Overall, our stay was very pleasant.
• Lenny (10/5): Warm, cosy, comfortable. Wonderful location. Wonderful getaway. - The room was very spacious and very comfortable. It is a very cosy space with a lot of amenities. They thought of the space and even provided games, DVDs, extra towels, and local coffee! The outdoor spa was amazing and a great way to spend time indoors. Love the notes they left in the information guide. Couldn't get the gas heater in the living room to work. There were some spiders in the artificial plant near the spa. But other than that, it was a lovely space and great host/
• Gillian (10/5): The castle is comfy, relaxing and in a great location. - Lovely place with great big rooms and very well maintained. Andre was very friendly and welcoming. It had everything we needed. The stairs are a little steep of you find it hard to walk upstairs!
• O'Hagan (9/5): - Unique room. Close to everything in Cowes. Quiet location.
• Kira (9/5): -
• Thiri (10/5): -
• ing (10/5): -
• Jacqueline (9/5): - Very special place to stay. Tastefully decorated, balcony with big spa bath & the most lovely garden to enjoy. Wish we could have stayed longer.
• Giles (9/5): - Excellent location. Very well presented.
• Lucy (10/5): - Lovely stay thank you 🙏
• Anthony (6/5): - Amazing garden and facilities. But being a room under another guests room the banging of footsteps from people walking around kept me and my wife awake most of the night.
• phillip (6/5): - Very noisy
• Carolyn (10/5): - I love staying at this beautiful and quiet place. Always clean and private, a perfect place to rebalance and relax. This was my second stay here ❤️
• Michael Stuart (10/5): Relaxing stay in Cowes - Very relaxing and pleasant. The room has good amenities.
• subrata (6/5): - i liked the location and outside garden, proximity to shops. didnt know sharing the itchen but didnt matter. the place was old and need upgrades. also carpet needs cleaning and airing. there was a smell when entering upstairs. was looking for a bottle opener, simple thing to provide. cold water taps needs tightening.
• Foster1965 (10/5): Amazing Location - Superb, friendly hotel. Rooms a bit basic, but very clean. Very friendly host, booked in no problem. Great location, close to everything. Super value for money, great for a quick break away from hustle and bustle of City life. Highly recommend.
• Eva-Maria (10/5): - It was the perfect stay for us. Extremely friendly service. A wonderful suite with private spa. Easy check-in and check-out. We will now always stay there when we come to Philip Island (and - of course - when it is available).
• Adventure40026633935 (4/5): I really wanted to like this place but... - Unfortunately, it was not the relaxing getaway my fiancée and I thought it would be. We're not very hard to please and are happy to stay mostly anywhere as long as there's a comfy bed and quiet. We stayed two nights in the garden villa which was the most premium and expensive room on offer, expecting a secluded and private area to ourselves, which for the most part is what we got. Visually, the garden surrounding the villa is stunning with a delightful view of greenery and nature, and there is no one else who stays in that area behind the main building. The room itself was eclectic in decor which was a welcome change to stay somewhere with unique tastes as opposed to the usual and generic designs of modern accommodation. The spa in the room was great and worked very well, it was warm and the jets were functioning fine. However, we had the horrible luck of staying on two nights where there was a family, with children, staying directly above us. The ceiling feels like it's paper thin and you can hear every footstep that people are taking above, specifically when they walk down the hallway to use the bathroom (yes you can tell their movements due to the 10 - 12 steps they take followed soon after by the sound of a toilet flushing and then another 10 - 12 steps and someone going down stairs). This would usually be semi-bearable, as the occasional sound of someone walking back and forth is still annoying, but fine. But as mentioned earlier, there were children staying up there and they insisted on running back and forth down that hallway so many times throughout the day, and especially the early morning, that it became extremely frustrating to hear. I tried to take an afternoon nap when we arrived after being so exhausted from the travel and was woken up by the sound of thumping footsteps running back and forth. As these two nights were supposed to be our little getaway from our own kids, and a chance for us to have a relaxing sleep in, we wanted to nip this problem in the bud immediately. We reported the noise to the proprietor Jenni on the first night, Jenni was very friendly and assured us that she would speak to the family about the kids' running around. We later spoke over the phone again to the other proprietor, Harley who was also very friendly (and characteristically humourous) about the situation, reassuring us that the family had been spoken to. Harley also mentioned that the family was in fact, their own family visiting from the UK (as this site also appears to be the actual residence of the two proprietors). I am unsure of the logistics of this situation, but personally, I believe that having your own family members stay at the location, but cause disruption to the paying customers, is an unfair and detrimental business decision. The next morning I was woken up at approximately 7:00am to the sound of children's feet running back and forth and thumping above me again. Not just to the bathroom but just constant back and forth through a hallway. I contacted the reception phone number again and spoke to Josh, who seemed aware of the issue and after I told him we would be staying one more night he assured me that the following morning would not have a noise problem. So I have just been woken up again on our last morning here at approximately 7:45am once again to the sound of running footsteps thumping above me in addition later on to many other footsteps, voices and what sounds like furniture being moved along the floor above me. The noise appears to have gotten worse with each day which is why I am now drafting this review. I really don't like being critically negative, preferring to focus more on the good parts of our trip, but I also don't like being deprived of sleep and relaxation on a holiday either. The accommodation has a ton of positive factors: - Room facilities and amenities have everything you need for a comfortable stay - Visually appealing offering a more nature orientated theme rather than the usual fare - Prime location being a 5 minute walk from the beach and main strip of Cowes - Off street, secluded parking spots which made it easy to get to and from the location - The proprietors we spoke to were very polite and down to earth, were receptive to our noise complaints and seemed to genuinely "try" to address the issue. I understand that the proprietors cannot control the behaviour of children, however due to the layout of the location and having a room and common thoroughfare directly above us, what was supposed to be a relaxing and serene little getaway for us turned into one of noise and clamor. A constructive suggestion would be for the proprietors to have some kind of noise dampening installed between rooms as the walls seem paper thin. The major disappointment here is that the garden villa is supposed to be their premium room for offer, but it feels like we forked out extra for something that was definitely not worth it. As for recommending this place to stay. I guess it depends on your tolerance for noise and whether you're a heavy sleeper. If you're a light sleeper like me, and can't get back to sleep once you've been disturbed, I'd say find somewhere else to stay.
• Jennifer (6/5): - We were not greeted well at all. Made to wait outside while our payment was taken. We also were not told about the property features or what we could use. There was an open fireplace in the picture, but that was not working.
• Simone (10/5): - The hosts Harley and Jenni, were friendly and helpful. Our room 'Erehwon Spa Suite', was upstairs and was decorated beautifully with an eclectic style. The building its self is quite old but plenty of updates have been made Unfortunately the sea view has been diminished by next door buildings, which is a shame, but it doesn't take away any of its old fashion charm. The bed was super comfy too. We had a really relaxing stay here, and would definitely come back again.
• Evelyn (8/5): - Convenient for travellers going to penguin parade
• Denise (10/5): - Quaint, comfortable, really clean
• Karyn (8/5): - Pleasant helpful staff
• govtrout (8/5): Satisfactory - Just wanted to leave a review to assist others. The price considering it is semi shared accomodation with the kitchenette being in a common area and the walls being really thin (could hear everything from people in next suite on our level) was probably the only negative we had. Overall though, I found the place to be quite beautiful. Trees surround the property, the owner Harley was incredibly welcoming and friendly when we met. It was a cosy place to spend a few nights (we were attending a wedding up there). We even requested an iron and an ironing board with an iron was delivered right to our room in no time at all! They even offered to take our luggage up to the room. Balcony was so beautiful. I did enjoy our stay here, and it is so close to restaurants and bars. Perfect location. Thank you Harley and team for providing a wonderful stay for us both. Matt & Holz
• Candice (8/5): Beachside location - The bedroom we booked was really clean and fresh - the balcony could have been cleaned up a bit better but was rather tired - we saw the lady on arrival but not again during or stay or on leaving at 10am - the lounge part was rather dusty and looked like it was never used - overall it was a great location and super close to the beach
• Nora (10/5): - Lovely property
• Natalie (10/5): - Very cute little boutique accommodation and friendly staff. Very close to all the action.
• Daniel (10/5): - Close to beach and shops
• Gil (6/5): - No private kitchen Car parking insufficient Over priced
• Tracey (10/5): - The room was very pretty and clean.
• Mr Davor (10/5): - Really nice place to stay>
• Colin (4/5): - Plenty of space. Pleasant outlook over the garden. Close to the beach and main street of Cowes. Large, quaint, well appointed rooms, though some of the furniture is quite old. Main problem for us was there was a faint musty smell in the room. This became increasingly noticeable during the night, especially as we could not ventilate the room because there are no fly screens (the air con works, but is located above the bed and is noisy). We woke at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep because of the smell. By morning we both had mild respiratory issues. Fortunately these cleared with a walk along the beach. Though we were booked in for two nights, we left after one and wrote off the cost of the second rather than endure another night.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - It feels like in your own home... the staff is friendly.
• Gonasagaren (10/5): - It was a great location, within walking distance of the main amenities in Cowes. The ‘hotel’ was very clean and tidy as was the room.
• melinda (10/5): Gorgeous and unique. - i was looking for a place wirh some added luxury close to the main street of cowes. The Castle Suite was gorgeous and well presented. Hosts were extremely accommodating and nice. Very comfortable bed and super cosy. Pretty gardens, quite a unique stay compared to a standard hotel.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Cleanliness is a concern - Like the overall decoration. Nice and classic. Cleanliness needs to be better. Did have to clean the spa myself as there were dusts and insects in it. The toilet window with no blinds. Wasn't expecting that. Shower room window cannot be closed and the flynet was full of dusts. However, I did like the spacious shower room with two shower heads to allow more than one person in there.
• Stan (6/5): - This property is clean and is in a good location, easy walking distance to beach and town. The room is okay but is expensive for what it is.
• 363clairet (10/5): Delightful - We spent 2 nights in the last room available. It was just gorgeous. Jenni our hostess, made it very clear the entire Villa and gardens were available for our enjoyment. So we made ourselves at home with pre-dinner drinks in the lounge room, sinking into the Chesterfields, enjoying the artworks, reading the collection of art books and giggling over the Villa’s compendium. Our room was everything we were expecting, we had our own balcony, the shared kitchenette provided a nice selection of teas and coffees no biscuits. The location was ideal, just long enough to walk off the ice-cream bought in Main Street.
• Glenn (8/5): Delightful quirky accommodation - Good welcome by Ginnie who showed us to the Garden Room. The Garden Room is a separate suite at the bottom of the garden, extremely quirky, charming and comfortable. Enjoy the cool indoor/outdoor shower. Very comfortable bed and lovely Jacuzzi bath for two people.
• 392nataliek (2/5): The one star is for the location - When booking for Phillip Island MotoGP this was the only place with a vacancy.....and no wonder! We had "the Garden Room" - sounds very exotic - LOL. On opening the door the smell of musty, unused and old came to our senses. The toilet wouldn't flush properly, yes there were cobwebs inside the red cabinet, the towels were dusty. Every time i turned on the tap i was splashed in the face (the water came out so fast and the basin was on top of a bench- obviously modified as an afterthought), no hairdryer, absolute minimum toiletries, the coffee was rock hard in the tin - oh i could go on but for $600+ a night with a 4 night minimum i'll be sure to book earlier and a different place next time we go to the island!
• Eric (10/5): - Great location, lot’s of character
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Great little place. Upstairs is very noisy when people walk around.
• Jayne (4/5): - Pros: Friendly, welcoming hosts. Beautiful, artistic decor. Cosy apartment. Good location - very close to restaurants and the beach. Cons: Some of the window coverings let in sunlight and there was no blind at all on the toilet window. My husband had a bad allergic reaction to the bedding (itchy skin, streaming sinuses, asthma) and ended up sleeping on the couch - very disappointing. We've never had this problem at other places we've stayed.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Enjoyable and comfortable stay on a Saturday night
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Such a wonderful place. Jenni was lovely and welcoming on arrival. Our room was perfect. We loved the way it was set out. Huge shower in the bathroom and a great spa on the balcony. The room itself was cozy and comfortable. It's such a unique place. Perfect location to get us the the beach and restaurants within a few minutes. Highly recommend it. So much better than an average hotel stay.
• 129timf (10/5): Refreshing weekend - Just ‘what the doctor ordered’ for a short break away from Melbourne. Perfect location and such friendly accommodating hosts. Loved the detailed and at times pithy guide to Phillip Island, very helpful! Thank you and we’ll be back.
• Verified traveler (10/5): So Relaxing - Beautiful spot, lovely hosts. Feels spacious and homey.
• Playball925 (6/5): OK but a bit odd - We booked a bit late for Phillip Island over the holidays and this was one of the few hotels that had vacancy for a party of three. We now know why. Bottom line, it was OK and fairly close to the main walkway along the beach in Cowes; but we felt more like we were staying in someone's home and the homeowners had a really odd taste in decor and sub-standard inn keeping skills. The toilet in our bathroom didn't work and couldn't be fixed while we were there. There was a sign on the toilet saying to "be patient" with it and blaming its function (or lack thereof) on being "an American" toilet (whatever that means). Patience had nothing to do with it. I half suspect that others have had problems and the owners are too cheap to fix it once and for all. The room had a second half-bath so we were told to simply use that. The place was clean, the beds were comfortable and there was plenty of hot water. So again, our stay was OK; but they never should have been charging what they charged for just an OK hotel experience.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Lovely atmosphere. Good location. Very peaceful. Very relaxing.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Lovely rooms and comfy bed. It was exactly what I had hoped for for our Anniversary weekend
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Disappointing.. We expected a lot more for a 4.5 star
• Clinto (10/5): - Absolutely gorgeous old school sheikh. Definitely recommended for a secluded romantic stay.
• whatevsMelbourne (2/5): Left with no where to stay on busiest weekend in Phillip Island - We booked this hotel so we could attend a close friend’s wedding. Being the super bikes weekend in Phillip Island, accommodation was filling up fast. Reading other reviews I was nervous to book here but decided to go ahead to ensure we had somewhere to stay. A month later I received an enail from them telling me they were cancelling our booking because it’s the superbikes weekend and they were now offering the room as a 3 night minimum stay. I explained we live 3 hours away, and with no appropriate accommodation now available if they cancelled our booking we wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding. Considering we’d booked directly with them in good faith I requested they honour our booking to which they refused. They were apologetic and offered suggestions for alternative accommodation, however none were suitable. If they had have told us at the time of booking and not waited a month I could have made other arrangements. Now we have no where to stay. Wish I had listened to other reviews regarding their poor customer service and booked elsewhere. Would not recommend booking here if you want to be sure your booking will be honoured.
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Shower didn't work too well. Room was small. For this time of year, price for what was offered was disappointing.
• Joyce (10/5): Relaxing getaway - desperate to go back - Just wonderful - comfortable, quiet, relaxing getaway. Jeanette was just lovely and looked after us so very well. Close to everything you could want in Cowes. Had a really nice time - want to go back.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Loverly quiet place right near the beach. There are plenty of places to sit / read / relax in gardens, courtyards and lounges.
• Adam (10/5): Great stay at Phillip Island - We only stayed one night but we could have stayed longer. Castle Villa by the Sea could be best described as an upmarket BnB. The staff we encountered were very pleasant and gave helpful recommendations. Our room was very nice and the bed was comfortable. Great eats and other stores were literally a short stroll away but importantly Castle Villa by the Sea is located in a very quiet street. You’ll love the sounds of the birds in the trees.
• LC888 (8/5): Large lovely villa - Was glad to find this villa during the busy Australia Day long weekend. Jenny was lovely. Despite the name, it is not by the sea, as in, you can’t see the sea from the villa. We were not expecting it to be literally by the sea, so, just a heads up for people who might be expecting the name of the villa to mean that it’s literally visibly by the sea. The villa was surprisingly large, which is very pleasant. Location is also very central, so, parking on the streets might be an issue during busy long weekends or market nights. Even though the two parking areas in front of the villa are supposed to park two cars each, it’s really more like a width for 1.5 cars or 2 really small cars. We managed to squeeze the car at the corner of the front gravel area one night when both the parking areas were taken up. The room was a bit damp for some reason, which Jenny did mention when we checked in. She said she didn’t want to open the balcony doors due to the bugs. We should have turned on the a/c during our whole stay but was comfortable with the natural room temperature, so, didn’t do so until our last night. The bedding did feel damp & my partner said it smelled but he has a sensitive nose & it’s really just the smell of the dampness. Plenty of toiletries were provided. It would be good to add a shower cap to the collection. Kudos, the supplier of their vanity set should improve their cotton buds :-) as the rod of the cotton buds buckle really easily. Sorry, just a small point to note! Plenty of towels were provided which was appreciated. There were 4 full size towels, 2 face towels & 2 hand towels. Tissue box was also available along with two spare toilet rolls. Just a note that the tv reception in the bedroom does not pick up all free to air tv channels but plenty of DVDs were provided for viewing. It was Australian open tennis finals weekend, so, my partner was keen to get onto channel 7! There’s another little tv in the lounge room which had better reception & we managed to watch tennis there but the couch was orientated in a way that only one of us could comfortably relax on the couch facing the wall hung tv 📺. Comfort wise, the bed was very comfortable. The only issue is outside noise in the mornings & creaking noise from the floor boards above. Price was over $600++ for two nights. Villa is generally clean throughout apart from some bits of hair & dirt in the spa tub.
• Linda (10/5): Lovely relaxed seaside villa. - We stayed for three nights and enjoyed the villa and garden surrounds. We walked everywhere we needed to go and relaxed on our private balcony which was also decorated with outdoor plants and overlooked the gardens. The bed was very comfortable and although the room was a little on the small side and the kitchen facilities were located in the lounge area just outside the room, we had everything we needed for a relaxing stay.
• Melissasue10 (10/5): Comfortable and relaxing! - We had a fantastic 2 night getaway at The Castle over new years. Our hosts, Harley and Jenni, were very warm and welcoming. The Garden Suite was exactly what we were looking for in terms of relaxation and privacy. We had our very own garden to look out too from the window. The room itself was well contained. A very comfortable bed with an in room Spa opposite it! An extra little touch to this wonderful room was a semi-outdoor shower! Towels, tea and coffee amenities were provided. Overall we had a wonderful experience at The Castle Villa. We will definitely be visiting again!
• Verified traveler (8/5): Nice hotel good location - The room was clean and the private balcony was a bonus Close to the esplanade there are many good places to eat. We recommend Mad Cowes or Waterboy cafe for breakfast or lunch and the Trumpet Bar for dinner
• John (6/5): Small Room - The room was a lot smaller than the picture showed. Considering the money I paid I did not think I got value for money.
• Shane (10/5): Luxury Stay - We found the Castle Villa to be a fantastic experience. The staff were amazingly helpful and friendly. The large rooms and ensuites with unique furnishings created an old world charm that made the stay a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
• Ken & Carla (8/5): Cosy ambience and close to beach and town centre. - Host's are charming and friendly. Garden surrounds are extensive and lovely to walk around. Accommodation was excellent. The bed was one of the most comfortable with glorious soft sheets. Great extras. Thankyou Jenni & Harley
• 101daniel88 (2/5): Jenny was horrible! Worst customer experience ever - This experience was so bad we ended up forfeiting our reservation. The manager (Jenny) was abusive, unreasonable and made my girlfriend cry! We were visiting for two nights to celebrate her birthday. When we first arrived she was dismissive and rude as our booking was made through the Philip Island Tourism Centre and she made it clear she had an issue with having to pay them commission. When we were taken to our room we discovered that it did not match the description on our booking confirmation. We asked Jenny if there had been a mistake and her first response was to become more aggressive, instead of helping us find a solution. She told us it was our problem and we had to deal with it. We tried to come to an agreement but there was no reasoning with her pettiness. Just look at her replies to the other bad reviews. Don't waste your time with this place!
• 44gaylem (10/5): We'll be staying there again - My husband and I have just returned from a lovely overnight stay at Castle Villa By The Sea and the only thing that could have made it any better was to stay another night. We had a gorgeous room, almost like an apartment with a lovely outdoor spa. The information book in the room was so helpful and the ladies who run the place are kind and considerate. The location is wonderful. We'll definitely be booking a longer return visit. Thank you.
• Shazeleni (6/5): Far from Luxury - The lady greeting us was lovely but it wasn't the luxury accomodation it is advertised as. It was clean apart from hair on the sheets and little balls on them so they could do with a throw away set. be prepared to do your own dishes an you have a tiny bar fridge to share with all the other guests in the shared tiny kitchenette. The location was great but there was certainly no view from our room apart from the road on the front balcony and a roof on the shared back balcony. Some very odd noises during the night like a banging, almost like plumbing but I could be way off track with that guess.
• Eve (10/5): Romantic with style - Excellent we loved it selebrated our wedding anniversary in cowes so so glad i booked this beautiful castle by the sea it was very romantic everything was excellent we couldn't have been hapier , close yo shops u can walk down the beach ,very clean had everything we wanted thank you for making our anniversary even more special ,recommend forca romantic getaway, the garderns were beautiful ,its located in a little hide away amongst the greens,
• michaelaH5262ZW (8/5): Amazing - Stayed the weekend and it was a perfect place to stay while I proposed to my partner, will definitely stay there again and recommend it to other to stay there. Had a romantic room with an awesome outdoor spa bath
• David (8/5): Good location - WiFi was patchy in the rooms but overall was a great stay , lovely area right near the cowes beach and restaurants, close drive to the penguins and koala reserve
• 455angeliques (10/5): Miss - Fantastic stay at the Castle. Friendly staff and warming welcome. A cosy cottage for the two of us, walking distance from the beach and the main shops. Everything we needed was out side our doorstep. Thank you for an amazing week away.
• beccaandmichael (10/5): Lovely and charming - We very much enjoyed our stay here. Clean room, comfortable bed, quiet central location. Hosts were nice. We didn't use the wifi much but did not have any trouble with it when we did. Would stay here again.
• Vince (10/5): Nice place - This is a different kind of hotel. It is like a B@B without the@B. But you feel like you are a guest in someones home with a very nice living room and nice rooms. Definitely a nice and quiet place to unwind and relax at. Really likmed the selection of DVDs that one can borrow.
• 940caseyo (10/5): Just amazing! - My partner and I stayed here for 2 nights and it definitely wasn't long enough! We had such a lovely experience. Harley & Jenni were just so welcoming and genuinely nice people. They were discrete which we love, and so accomodating when we enquired about certain things. We can't wait to stay here again it was such a treat 😊
• LilibetMelbourne (6/5): Unusual place to stay - Being greeted by someone else's name, then being criticized for not having booked with them directly rather than via a website wasn't a great start. The room was small, but clean and very comfortable despite the overload of sea type decor and odd pictures everywhere. Don't expect any face to face service apart from an explanation of the car parking (poor). In the morning you leave your keys in a dish by the door. The location is fine.
• danielnC7607MY (10/5): Weekend away with my wife - My wife and i wanted to go away for the weekend to spend some quality time together, we decided to revisit Philip island again as we went for valentines day last year, we traweled various trip sites for suitable accommodation within our price range and came across an absolute gem of a hotel in The Castle on steele street Cowes telephone number +61 3 5952 1228. On the morning of our departure i was rang by the live in owner and he informed me that it was a little chilly on the island at this time of the year and if i knew what our approximate time of arrival was he would put the heating on in our room prior to our arrival, a simple but incredibly touching, welcoming and nice thing to do. Upon our arrival we were shown to our onsuite appartment complete with a jet bath and a double power shower, off our incredibly stunningly decorated room complete with a memory foam queen sized double bed was a living room complete with a kitchenette, a tv, a sterio sound system, free wifi and an additional toilet. Leading off of the living room was a very private large balcony complete with a couch, artificial grass so as not to be cold on the feet and the highlight of our weekend our own private spa bath. Words can not express how my wife and i were made to feel welcomed into this stunning home. Downstairs was a common lounge room with an amazing decor complete with an open fire deep comfortable leather couches and a fully stocked bar. There are not enough stars on the review page for the rating both my wife and i wish to give this fantastic place, we have both decided that as we go away together approximately every 3 months, that this will be our destination every time, we both highly recommend the Castle for any that wish for complete luxury at an incredible price. Danny & Kerryn Nelson
• kevinamptrudyh (10/5): A tranquil experience - Ours was a short overnight stay,but we would have loved to have stayed longer. What a beautiful room (luxury spa apartment), spacious yet private and cosy. Great location and only a short walk to the beach and local eateries. Spa was great. We will definitely stay here again. Loved it. Thank you
• marshie (10/5): Amazing decor and gardens - Close to all the good eateries , very comfortable and clean and very friendly and helpful
• Jonathan (10/5): Perfect getaway site - We planned on staying one night, my wife insisted we stay for another. Fortunately it was available and they let us stay for the same Hotel.com discount price. Room was huge (we got the suite), and had nice decor. Beautiful garden overlook from the balcony. Jacuzzi tub in the room was nice. Only thing that wasn't perfect was the Wifi, I had to go outside to pick it up.

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