Observatory Cottages

The parking rules say each cottage has an allocated space, but someone had taken mine. When I called, they told me to park anywhere. Later, three extra cars arrived in the middle of the night with unregistered guests. They blocked cars in and blocked cottage exits, even though the car park is also the evacuation area. You’d have to climb over cars to get to safety. It ruined my weekend away. I booked through Expedia, then dealt with stayAU and the cottages. They kept beating around the bush about complaints, and refused a refund when we left at midnight because we didn’t want to stay. It felt like money mattered more than guests. The place needs a health and safety assessment. There are many beautiful cabins and cottages in the dandenongs, but this isn’t one of them. In my experience, email complaints get ignored and replies will probably just say sorry and promise to improve. We were also expected to clean our own cottage. There were cobwebs, dust, insects in the spa bath, a door that didn’t lock properly, and missing pailings on the verandah where kids could fall. The list goes on. Do right by your guests instead of ripping them off. Pathetic is an understatement.

It’s not worth the price. The place used to have on-site management, but it’s now run remotely by a company called StayAU, more like an Airbnb with checkout chores. When something went wrong, there was no one to help. The kitchen lightbulb blew and the heating remotes didn’t work, so we had to go to the IGA for supplies and sort it ourselves. The cabin was freezing. The heaters didn’t work or took days to warm the place up, so we wore jackets and scarves indoors the whole time. Wouldn’t book again.

My partner and I were very unhappy at owl Croft cottage. We arrived after dark, and with no lighting at all it was hard to find the cottage. The path was dangerous in the dark too. Inside, it was dusty and full of cobwebs. Breakfast was bacon, a loaf of bread, orange juice, and one packet of Rice Bubbles, with no eggs. The spa was dirty and only half the jets worked. We definitely won’t be back.

The Windsong was a lovely place to switch off, get close to nature and recharge. We were given this getaway as a gift and really enjoyed it. The welcome was thoughtful from the greeting on the front porch and key collection instructions to the care package in the room. Breakfast was included, with a fresh loaf of bread, hot and cold options, and toiletries provided. The staff were fantastic throughout and very accommodating. I left my pillow behind, and the manager kindly sent just the pillowcase back as I requested. We’d happily recommend it to family and friends, and would love to return.