Gardners Inn Hotel

I’ve lived in Blackheath and somehow hadn’t properly been here until now. Glad I finally came in. It’s in a great spot, has a nice local feel, and the pints are fairly priced. The staff are nice, and it looks like a real local hotspot. I’ll be back more often.

The food was average but fine, and at least it was fairly cheap. Inside, though, the atmosphere felt flat and the lighting was too stark. Maybe it’s better out in the garden. The rules about which rooms children could enter put a damper on things. Our son wanted to watch the guitar player in one of the cosy rooms near the bar, but we were told he couldn’t. I’m from the Illawarra, where the bars around us don’t have that rule. I looked into it and could confirm the stated requirements didn’t apply to some of these rooms, so it felt more like the venue’s policy than an actual legal requirement. In the end, the experience was just whatever.

The room was clean, comfortable, and had nearly everything I could have wanted. USB charging ports would’ve been handy, but I managed to charge my phone using the TV. I was also delighted to find out Charles Darwin had stayed there. I was glad to get a room on the very night I needed one. The woman managing the bar was so pleasant and helped my friend and me check in late, nearly 9 pm. I didn’t get to try the restaurant, though it seemed popular with locals. If you’re leaving early, I recommend getting a coffee from the BP next door. They use an espresso machine and make great coffee. You can take it back and enjoy it in the hotel’s outdoor seating area in the back garden. I’d happily stay again.

The oven baked barramundi was delicious, with a fresh taste, generous portions, crunchy chips, and a nice salad. Even though the place was busy on Thursday night, service was reasonably quick. Two mains for $36 was a good deal. Yum.