Peppers Waymouth Adelaide

The stay was enjoyable apart from a couple of issues. The pool and gym doors weren’t working, and the air conditioning control was poor. It always seemed to want to heat the room, which wasn’t ideal with it already 30+ outside. The beds and linen were really comfortable, and the room was a good size. It felt a little over priced by national standards, though events on at the time could have influenced that. I’d visit again.

We still chose not to attend, even after being told the booking couldn’t be transferred or refunded, because it felt like the right thing to do. On check in day, both of us had gastro symptoms. We didn’t ask for our money back, only to move the date so we could protect the staff, other guests and wider public from possible exposure. My wife was instead spoken to bluntly and dismissively, and told our illness wasn’t the hotel’s problem and cancelling was our choice. It lacked care, respect and basic empathy. This was a genuine good faith decision for public health, and it was handled poorly. With common sense and a simple assessment of our intentions, the hotel could have protected guest satisfaction, its integrity and health safety. If I were Managing Director, I’d put two processes in place immediately: 1. Contagious illness guest protection protocol: When someone reports gastro or another contagious condition, staff should send the booking for manager review instead of refusing outright. Thank the guest for disclosing it responsibly, offer a date transfer window or hotel credit, and confirm the outcome in writing that day. This protects public health, preserves trust and keeps revenue in house. 2. Service recovery and escalation standard: Any health related complaint should go to the duty manager through a structured escalation, with a callback required. The manager should assess the guest’s intent, risk to others and fairness under the booking conditions, then send a clear written decision and offer goodwill where appropriate. This creates consistency, reduces reputational damage and improves guest experience outcomes.

Bonnie made the evening feel easy and relaxed, with attentive service and a quick joke. We really enjoyed trying the restaurant the other night. The fish and steak are to die for, and my wife almost asked for the recipe. We’ll definitely be back for the service.

The only downside was the parking. There’s none at the hotel, so you need to buy a card for a nearby public carpark, which costs an extra $30 per day. That was an unexpected expense and a minor inconvenience. I’m sure the website mentioned it, though I don’t remember seeing it. For the Tour Down Under, the location was perfect, only a 5 minute walk to the village, with a great choice of restaurants nearby. The room was a good size, with a very comfortable bed and an ensuite.