Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge 4.5 stars

If you eat here don't order a pizza. Terrible bought in base that wasn't even cooked and hardly any cheese. My husband got his meal 20 mins before my pizza arrived. Staff are more bothered about socializing with each other than clearing tables.

So disappointed, staff made us feel unwelcome, we were treated like children on a school annual outing. Within five minutes of registering with the receptionist we were curtly informed that there was a) no internet in our room (nobody informed us about this in advance), b) the communal area where internet was available shuts at 22:00 and c) no room for us to have a meal in the restaurant for the two nights we were staying(!). This should have been communicated to us but they didnt bother. There was room in the Bistro but the menu including burgers and pizza wasnt for us so we had to drive to another hotel which in my mind was unacceptable having forced to leave our room to drive for dinner elsewhere. We were also instructed that we ‘could’ have breakfast only from 08:00 as the restaurant was fully booked so we couldnt have an early hike start. Breakfast itself is basic at best, no vegetables in sight, runny scrambled eggs with gloomy staff to boot. At breakfast, we were shown to our table and told immediately that the first coffee was free and there on after we’d have to pay. The whole experience from the minute we entered Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge was one of negativity, staff are the most unfriendly we’ve come across during our Australia trip, we felt completely unwelcomed here. Needless to say, we are never coming back and nor should you.

A mixed bag. The positives first. A wonderful location with lovely local walks. Also some of the staff were charming. We also greatly enjoyed the one experience of the restaurant dining. The food was good and the staff were friendly and attentive. On the negative side. The breakfasts were poorly run. Some of the hot food items and milk were not replenished quickly, and we had to chase up some cutlery and bowls. Also the bread and toast counter should have been kept more tidy. We made the mistake of eating in the bistro on a busy Saturday evening and spent a good 20 minutes queuing to be served at a bar tended by two staff who were taking both drinks and food orders. One more person just taking drinks orders would have worked better. When we asked to raise these issues with a manager we were informed that the manager was not in and would not be available until later in the day!! Surely on a busy holiday weekend a senior manager should be onsite through the day and evening to ensure the smooth running of all the services to optimise the guests’ experience. Our cabin was adequate but a little tired looking. I am not convinced that the overall experience was worth the money.

Visited this resort full of anticipation. The journey was exciting, with narrow roads twisting and turning around mountain sides and over rivers. Checked in and found the cabin, which was perfectly OK inside, all the usual, bed, settee, dining table, bath,shower, small kitchen (poorly equipped). To enter the cabin, you had to negotiate a set of stairs, logs, and rocks used to make a path from the car that a mountain goat would struggle with. Car parking was narrow and small, shared with next door. The resort is designed to provide tours at cost and relieve you of your cash for the ideal experience! Breakfast was a free for all, of buffet style with one free coffee. Replenishment of the food was sparse and random. The tables were left uncleared for long periods. The two guys working there (a barista and "floor supervisor") worked had and were cheery. However, every other member of staff were sullen and dull. The hospitality industry is tough, but you get out what you put in. There is dire need here for "smile training" and the presence of an enthusiastic member of management. Positively the most awful customer interaction experience in two months of travelling Australia. Take a look at the way they do things at Port Arthur historic site.

We stayed for two nights and found the lodge very comfortable and enjoyed the peace of no tv nor internet. Unfortunately the radio in the room wasn’t capable of picking up any stations! So maybe blue tooth speakers would have been a better option? All meals we had were good, although No Orange juice at breakfast was a first for us.