The Oriana Orange - Retro Hotel & Resort

The food was a mixed bag. The garden restaurant's Margarita pizza might be the best around, and breakfast was reasonably priced at $25 with a good mix of continental and hot options for guests. The prawn skewer was nice, but $22 felt steep for one skewer and a spoonful of salad, and the Chicken Medallion was a bit bland. We also enjoyed the pool and sauna, and the communal spaces were inviting. The refreshed hotel is close to the town center, with thoughtful decor, plenty of onsite parking, and helpful, pleasant staff and owners. Check-in was easy. Our room was clean, comfortable, quiet despite being near a busy road, and had outdoor seating. There were lots of complimentary touches, including a mini-bar, welcome pack with cookies, lollies and milk, good tea, a pod coffee machine, fresh fruit, robes and slippers. We had a restful night and would happily keep the place on our list to revisit.

The Oriana has that old-school road motel style, with fun Palm Springs touches. Staff were friendly and helpful, and all the snacks and non-alcoholic drinks in the fridge were complimentary. We also got a welcome drink from a local winery. The rooms and bed were very comfortable. There’s a nice pool with a sauna for guests and a poolside bar. It’s about a 15-minute walk or a 3-minute drive to the main part of town. I’d recommend it and stay again.

We had a great stay in the first week of January and would come back. The room was clean, comfortable and well appointed, though there was a little mould in the shower that could be cleaned quickly with vinegar or something similar. Service was good, and there were plenty of inclusions, like welcome drinks and room snacks. We liked the garden restaurant and bar, and the summer BBQ restaurant. The pool area was good, with a bar and plenty of seating, though a few more signs on the fences or some bushes could block the view of the rooms and carpark better. There was some confusion about pool cabana bookings: hotel guests only pay if they want a guaranteed cabana, but that wasn't clear when we booked. The fee includes only water, so perhaps two vouchers for bar drinks would be reasonable.

The pool and sauna were a lovely extra, and breakfast was amazing, with wellness shots and a huge range of tasty options included. The rooms have everything you could need, and I couldn't fault the service. It’s a beautifully refurbished retro motel with country hospitality at its best.