Daylesford Hotel Tips by Kate-Me

Daylesford has an absolutely amazing array of accommodation options, so my advice would be to visit the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre in Vincent Street or their website www.visitdaylesford.com.au which is very helpful as it includes a list of prices of all the B & B's who go through them and availability for the coming week.
There are also 4 or 5 accommodation booking agents in town, with separate websites. B & B's and self contained cottages are by far the most common kind of accommodation here. There are around 4000 beds in the region to choose from, from 300 or more B & B's/cottages/houses, etc. Styles can vary enormously - from heritage to ultra luxurious, to European, Italian, even Japanese style. It seems you can have pretty much anything you want - depending on how much you are prepared to pay.

Daylesford is also marketed to the wider community as one of the top Gay tourism destinations in Australia. I think this is not so much for activities in the town (though the nightlife seems to be on the improve) but the luxury accommodation and seclusion if you want it and the way the town is very accepting of alternative lifestyles.

Unique Qualities: Some of the accommodation has indoor pools, many have spas, some have restaurants. There are also chalets which overlook Lake Daylesford with wonderful views. It would be impossible to show you even a fraction of them, but if you go to the Daylesford Visitor Centre website you can link up to a lot of the accommodation houses websites directly and see from photos how special these places are.
I'll also give a travelogue on these pages to showcase a few of the ones I've visited so far in my role as Volunteer at Daylesford Tourism.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: All over Daylesford & neighbouring Hepburn Springs
Directions: Directions from Tourist Info or Accommodation Booking Service office

I didn't actually stay at Lake House, but rather went there for morning tea on a familiarisation tour with other volunteers from Daylesford Tourism, however we had a comprehensive look at the property and I feel able to describe it quite well to you.
Lake House is not only a famous 5 star resort in Victoria, but also well known elsewhere in Australia. I'm not sure how far word of its fame has spread, but it is well known in Melbourne luxury circles and has won many awards and been written up in many many lifestyle magazines.
With so much publicity, I was almost expecting my visit not to live up to expectations, but I wasn't disappointed, but rather impressed at the quality of the place and high level of service - what I believe is what really wins them their awards.

Unique Qualities: Lake House, to me, seemed to have just about everything a resort could want (except a tropical beach on its doorstep) - the resort accommodation buildings almost had a tropical feel to them, surrounded by gardens, wooden style as one might find in the tropics...but with many rooms having a view of Lake Daylesford itself.
The only thing I was a little bit disappontment were the lake views from the rooms - it may be the most expensive real estate in the whole area, (with these rooms costing up to $500 per night, depending on season and night of the week) but to me, the lake just didn't look quite that extraordinary. Great place though overall.
The restaurant is also award winning - way out of my price range, but if you're wanting to really splurge and spoil yourself, this is the place to do it, and I've heard the desserts (which you can order as a small sample of many dishes) are simply to die for.....indeed some visitors come just for afternoon tea or dessert.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: King Street, Daylesford, VIC 3460

I loved the European style terrace overlooking the lake, with flowers in window boxes and bright sunshine – it was my favourite part of the tour (besides the delicious chocolate brownies for morning tea!)
The staff really looked after us well, and one gets the impression that excellence in customer service is given to everyone.

Unique Qualities: There are tennis courts and other sports on offer, and the venue is also well known for conferences and weddings. They seem to have the ability to be able to cater to anyone or any group, and manage just about any request a guest could make. Like several properties in town, Lake House also has its own Spa Resort within the complex, called Salus Spa, which offers a multitude of different kinds of therapies and treatments, including an impressive enormous double shower (too complicated to describe but they're expensive and I'd never seen one) called a Hydrostorm.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: King Street, Daylesford, VIC 3460

Another property we visited on one of our staff tours around Daylesford

Unique Qualities: The property is self contained (as are many of the 500+ B & B's around town), in a good loaction in the middle of Hepburn Springs within walking distance to shops & restaurants.
Inside, it is extremely vibrant, a lot of blue, which attracted my attention, as I am a fan of bold colours if done well, and it gives the B & B an out of the ordinary feel, which is important when there is so much competition. It's nice also to be on several different levels. Spa bathroom is impressive.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 5348 4422
Address: Main road, Hepburn Springs
Directions: not far from the Springs Retreat

Another property we toured as a group....

Unique Qualities: Springs retreat is a historic Art Deco property - combination of Hotel, Motel, upmarket Restaurant and Spa Complex. It's also a luxury property where the prices are higher than the average, but not as expensive as Lake House by any means.
Also has many attractive features and the spa complex out the back is different to that of the one at Lake House in that it is more water and treatment based rather than specialty showers and 'cocoons'. There are several spa pools, including large plunge pools with a clear and artistic view out floor to ceiling glass windows.
Also features a conference centre.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: Main road, Hepburn Springs
Directions: towards the end of the shopping street of Hepburn Springs on the way to the Hepburn Spa Resort

Another property we visited which was very different to any of the others on the day.... especially with its eastern influence and telescope in one of the main rooms, to take advantage of the high views - hence where the name comes from, I guess

Unique Qualities: The views are quite spectacular. The B & B is quite small, so ideal for a couple who doesn't need a huge amount of space. The Spa set into the decking outside is also rather special and luxurious.

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Directions: (can't remember the address, but I believe it's only listed with one of the booking agents in town, rather than publicly advertised)

Ambleside is one of Daylesford's traditional hosted B & B (but guests still have their privacy as the hosts live downstairs)

Unique Qualities: Warm, rich feel to the surroundings. The only thing it lacks is spa baths (but I think being an older property, there just hasn't been room in the original bathrooms)

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 5348 2691
Address: 15 Leggatt Street Daylesford
Directions: about 2 kms from the Visitor Information Centre, by Lake Daylesford
Website: www.spacountry.net.au/ambleside

Several rooms have spas. Some of the rooms are a little basic, but the place is quite old, hence the smallish rooms and traditional passageway down the centre of the house, but there's one particular bedroom and one bathroom that more than make up for it in the romance department - the bedroom with the 4 poster bed, and a bathroom which has not only a spa, but a fire on the other side of the room as well (see photo 2 & 3)

Unique Qualities: One slight disadvantage is that though the rooms have their own ensuites, there's no cooking facilities, and 1 common room with tea/making facilities only... but still good for a night or two as there are so many choices for eating out in Daylesford.

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Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 5348 1482

On another of my Daylesford Visitor Information familiarisation tours.... this restored train carriage was very impressive, with many features restored to be as close to the original.

Really something out of the ordinary with many nice touches (including bath duck, pictured!)


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Theme: Bed and Breakfast

On our B & B day inspection tour, we only had a look at the outside of this unique B & B as there were guests inside at the time.


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Theme: Bed and Breakfast