Royal Mail Hotel

The view was stunning, and the restaurant and bar had very good food plus a big selection of Australian and international wines. We stayed in the cottage with our dog, who loved watching kangaroos hopping around. It was spacious, comfortable and welcoming. It could use a little upgrading, especially the table outside.

Terry was such a joy to meet, and really knew their stuff. The rest of the staff we met were lovely as well. We had a great weekend at the Royal Mail hotel, with a beautiful setting and delicious food at Parker St. Project. For a relaxing break in the Grampians, I’d recommend it highly.

The first time we visited, the food was superb and Mia’s service was a real highlight. She was warm and welcoming, and even recognised us at a local café the next day. My dad had also shared positive feedback about the food with Marco, the food and beverage or shift manager, so we came away from that visit with a very good impression. On New Year’s Eve we stopped in during a walk for a bottle of wine and a side of chips. We sat outside near the glass windows, under the shelter, and there were very few people outside. But the service was a sharp contrast. Staff seemed focused on a large group of elderly local patrons in a private room. A few servers, including one with short coloured hair, walked past our table several times without acknowledging us. Nobody asked how the wine was or whether we wanted anything else, or wished us a happy New Year. Marco passed by too without interacting with us. I know it’s a popular spot with locals and hotel guests, but as visitors we felt overlooked. James, a local patron nearby, seemed to get regular attention while we didn’t get a nod or smile. It was disappointing, especially after such a promising first visit. Our last impression brought down the rating quite a bit. Places like this also depend on people travelling from out of town. I’d like to see service be more consistent for everyone, whether they’re local or visiting. A relaxed, mid-range menu for the garden or lounge would also be welcome, perhaps a gourmet burger, pasta or gnocchi. I worked at a very similar property in WA, where we spent heavily on refurbishment and offered several dining experiences at different price points, and that worked exceptionally well.

We ordered dinner using the mobile QR code, then waited an hour and a half. When we finally got a response, the manager, Keira, was so rude it was unbelievable. The place has been done up beautifully, which makes it all the more disgraceful to have someone working there who behaves like that. I’ll never return to this establishment.