Hotel Review: Mount Gambier Hotel (Two Bedroom Suite)
- Mario Ng
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
After moving on from Apollo Bay, we were headed to our next pit stop before arriving in Adelaide. We had selected Mount Gambier as our next pit stop before making our final push to Adelaide. As a result, we only planned for a one-night stay at Mount Gambier.
Mount Gambier is within South Australia, so we would be crossing state lines from Victoria as we headed from Apollo Bay to Mount Gambier. Although this is a relatively small city, there are many interesting things to explore. However, our tight schedule meant we could not explore much of this beautiful town except Caltex and Woolworths.
As usual, we checked the hotel platforms and decided on Mount Gambier Hotel. It appeared to be a very nicely run hotel with plenty of great reviews. With just sixteen rooms, it is a small boutique hotel that should be fun to stay in. And so, we booked a night’s stay at Mount Gambier Hotel!
Fun fact: Mount Gambier is the second most populated city in South Australia, losing out to Adelaide, which has a population of more than 1.3 million people. What is surprising is that Mount Gambier has a population of some 30,000, and that is apparently enough to deem it the second most populated city in the state. Talk about large open spaces in this beautiful country!
TL:DR
Beautiful hotel in the heart of Mount Gambier
Beautiful and spacious suite
Delicious food options in the restaurant
Great service
Check-in/check-out process:
Checking in was fast, as we had already booked our stay beforehand. After providing our passports, our check-in was soon processed, and we were informed where our room was. It was then a short walk and climb to our second-floor room. Similarly, check-out was completed smoothly without any delays. The hotel has plenty of complimentary car park lots, which makes things easy. We simply had to load our luggage into the car boot and off we went.
Food:
Mount Gambier Hotel can be relied on during meal times. For our dinner and breakfast the next morning, we ate at the hotel restaurant. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our meals. They were simply delicious. We also liked the restaurant's ambience. While looking like a traditional pub during the evenings, it was inviting, and we enjoyed spending time in the restaurant. During the day, the restaurant was brightly lit with lots of natural light, making it very welcoming.
For dinner, we shared seafood pasta and a good old-fashioned steak. The seafood pasta was a chef’s special for that evening: pappardelle pasta with fresh prawns, mussels, and scallops. Cooked to perfection with vermouth, it was simply stunning. The steak was a simple yet sumptuous dish. Cooked perfectly medium rare, we loved the thick-cut fries and salad, not forgetting the mushroom sauce that came with it. Dessert was yet another winner. We had the simple Sticky Date Pudding, served with vanilla bean ice cream. Of course, we finished all our food in no time.
The next morning, we had our final meal at the hotel before heading off. Of course, we needed lots of positive energy to make the final trek to Adelaide. To that, we shared an Eggs Atlantic, adding on a side of smashed avocados placed underneath the smoked salmon. The whole dish was so fresh, and knowing Australia, those were some of the best eggs you could enjoy in the world. We also ordered a plate of Berry Waffles, a simple waffle that comes with various berries and vanilla bean ice cream smacked on top. It was a great way to end our time at Mount Gambier.
For those who might prefer dining in the comfort of their rooms, there is no problem. An extensive room service menu can be found on the room’s television, and you can order from the room’s telephone. Whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can enjoy a delicious meal. There is even a kids’ menu that is affordably priced at A$10 for each dish. An extensive wine list that has plenty of options, from reds to whites and from sparkling to rosé, every single option is proudly South Australian. We love this local pride that Aussies have.
Room:
As part of our luxurious Australian road trip, we embarked on booking suites in a bid to enjoy the finer things in life. At Mount Gambier, this practice continued. We booked a Two-Bedroom Suite to pamper ourselves, as each of us had a bed all to ourselves.
At Mount Gambier Hotel, our two-bedroom suite consists of a small bedroom, a bathroom, and a huge living area that serves as both the living area and main bedroom.
The main room had a workstation in the corner, which was also where the television was. Helpfully, the minibar and caffeine essentials are right beside the workstation. Caffeine comes in the form of both Lipton and Madura teabags, while plenty of Nescafé coffee sachets are provided as well. For those who might not know, Madura is an Australian tea brand that has its tea plantations right in New South Wales. This is an authentic local tea brand that is a source of pride in Australia. For those feeling peckish, there are plenty of snacks at the minibar area, and you could munch on the chips, beef jerky, or some chocolates. Those seeking liquids can enjoy various non-alcoholic beverages in the fridge or choose to indulge a little by having some wine or even champagne. The choices are endless.
There is a cabinet in each room so no fighting is required to store your clothes. Each room has its workstation, television, and minibar so that each party can have their own alone time during evenings. That was precisely what we did that night after dinner. After enjoying a delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant, we retired to our own rooms and chose to spend some alone time. While my friend caught up on some Netflix in the main room, I did the same in my room, catching multiple episodes of The Office, including re-watching the famous Dinner Party episode (season 4, episode 13).
For those wondering, Mount Gambier Hotel is truly amazing. Its televisions are equipped with plenty of options. Besides the standard local TV channels, it also has other types of streaming platforms that are available. Besides Netflix and YouTube, you can also stream from Paramount+, Disney, Foxtel, Stan, and Kayo Sports. Wow, this is a hotel that truly caters for those who love a STAYcation.
Each bedroom comes with a Queen-size bed that is extremely comfortable. Perhaps it was because we were too tired from a whole day of driving, but I slept like a baby that night. The bedroom decor is also beautiful, balancing old-world charm with modern comforts. The bed has an old-school charm feel and is fitted with wall sockets on either side for guests to charge various electronics. We also love the nice design of the bedside table. It would not look out of place in my home in Singapore.
Biology, an Australian brand famous for its various skin care products, provides toiletries. Mount Gambier Hotel offers a wide range of Biology products for guests to try. We were given multiple small bottles of shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, body lotion, and body soap. We used them during our stay and, as always when it comes to Australian beauty products, they were amazing. Mount Gambier Hotel also offers Aesop hand soap, an internationally-renowned skin care brand. You know you are staying in the right hotel when Aesop toiletries are provided. Besides these branded goods, other bathroom essentials, including shaving kits, dental kits, shower caps, and vanity kits, are also provided.
The bathroom is probably my favourite room in the two-bedroom suite. I loved the sleek new design, the two vanity sinks, mirrors with touch screen switches, and gold-plated shower heads and bathroom taps. I definitely enjoyed the time spent in the bathroom having a hot shower.
Overall, we loved our time at Mount Gambier Hotel. Unfortunately, we had to leave the town after only a night’s stay and felt we did Mount Gambier an injustice. The folks in the city were great, and we were sad we could not explore the area. Indeed, Mount Gambier Hotel’s website lists the various attractions one can explore in the area. I know I will return one day for another road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide. This time, I will make sure to stay in Mount Gambier for a longer time and explore what the city has to offer. And of course, I will be booking my accommodation at Mount Gambier Hotel.
Click here to find out more about Mount Gambier Hotel and book a stay today!
Cost of Two Bedroom Suite: S$244 a night - stayed over a weekday in July 2022
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