Gilgara Retreat

The jacuzzi was a lovely way to unwind, and the large shower room felt modern and luxurious. We also found the kitchenette well stocked, which made preparing meals easy. Gilgara Retreat sits among beautiful greenery on quiet, spacious grounds. It felt private and peaceful, just right for relaxing. The accommodation was comfortable, and I’d recommend it to anyone after a restful getaway in lovely surroundings. I’d definitely stay again.

The bed was comfortable, the linen clean and the bathroom nicely appointed. Just be aware there are no curtains on the high windows around the room, so expect an early wake-up. We’ve stayed in the Garden Suites several times. They’re beautifully furnished and fairly private, with little noise from neighbours, but the interior layout is awkward and could use an upgrade. There are two single lounge chairs and an uncomfortable boxy daybed behind a low coffee table, which makes it hard to get comfortable or sit down to a proper meal. The outdoor dining table isn’t much use in winter, and the kitchen and pots could do with a refresh. The upstairs TV can only be watched from the bed. The gardens are beautiful and the setting peaceful. The Homestead common area is cosy, though only Homestead guests can use it.

Clean, tidy room in a beautiful spot, close to Marg's, the wineries and Hamelin bay.

The building is architecturally stunning, with great bones, but it feels stuck in a bygone era rather than a fun retro one. The bathroom was full of spiders, and I’m pretty sure we wiped out an entire spider dynasty. The furniture is long past its best, and the sheets had a few rips for extra “ventilation.” The place felt unloved, as if the owner’s motto is to leave things alone even when they’re broken. We also heard a rat doing parkour in the walls and named him Randy. It could be epic with some care. For now, it’s a quirky adventure with free spider encounters.