Pumphouse Point

The dirt road in is the one real drawback. It’s badly potholed, and I’d want at least a medium SUV to get to the hotel. If you’re staying at the Pumphouse, don’t expect to rush from there to start a walk at the Visitor's Centre. The hotel itself is an experience, not just a place to sleep. The staff were absolutely perfect, and I found the food delicious. Dinner follows a set menu and is a group activity, which can feel a little awkward, especially if you’re shy. If you eat quickly and arrive hungry, be ready to slow down. Still, it was a fabulous experience.

I’m writing in the hope that the hotel’s driveway gets some attention. I commute along this road often, and it’s become astonishingly rough. Over the years I’ve seen it in good, okay, and bad condition, and have even found brake pads that seemed to have shaken off vehicles along the way. This is intended as constructive criticism. I hope funding can be directed toward the road for the customers who arrive in vehicles other than four-wheel drives, not just for my own sake.

The welcome at Reception and the transfer to our room in the Pumphouse set the tone for a first-class stay. Pre-dinner drinks, the set menus, breakfast, and lunch were all excellent. The staff were warm, smiling, and seemed genuinely interested in their guests. Highly recommended!

Pumphouse Point is worth visiting for the setting alone. Lake St Clair and the mountains in the distance are stunning, and our room was in the actual pumphouse in the middle of the lake, surrounded by water. It made for a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime stay. The room was clean and had good amenities. We also loved the shared lounges, with big wood fires, board games, and hot drinks for cold days. Fresh bread delivered to the room whenever you want was a highlight. There was also a complimentary box of cheese and meat supplies for lunch, which went nicely with the bread. Most staff were friendly, and Rodrigo and Lya especially stood out. They were kind, helpful, and made us feel at home. The food was the weak spot. Both breakfast and dinner lacked flavour and seasoning, and felt like they were trying too hard. The buffet breakfast was average, as was the coffee. There wasn’t a proper barista on staff, and the bean and milk quality seemed below what you’d expect at a hotel at this price. The coffee tasted over-extracted, and the beans provided in the rooms and common lounges were past their expiry date. We enjoyed our stay and would recommend visiting for the beautiful location, but probably wouldn’t return.