Club Wyndham Port Stephens

We had confirmed a two-night stay through Expedia for a public holiday, booking about six months ahead. The night before arrival, the hotel called to ask for payment. My original card had expired, so I gave them a new one, and the payment went through. But when we arrived the next day, there was no reception, just a phone check-in system, and we were told they had no record of our reservation. They blamed a system issue on their end, even though Expedia showed the booking. We waited outside in the winter cold for more than three hours while trying to reach the check-in team. We asked them to help us find two separate rooms at another hotel, as I’d booked before, but they wouldn’t help. They said Expedia would refund us, but we needed somewhere to stay, and they offered no alternative accommodation. We had to deal with it ourselves and ended up cancelling the trip. There was no sense of responsibility. It was the worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. I also heard other guests had trouble finding the place at check-in. Total confusion and chaos.

We paid over $800 for two nights, and it wasn’t worth it. The carpet was filthy, and the swimming pools were overgrown and unavailable. There was nothing there for children, so I would never consider staying again with them. Such a letdown: we went with family for my husband’s 70th birthday. Never again.

It’s a handy base for exploring Port Stephens, beside Horizon Golf course, and we could see kangaroos hopping around in the morning. The apartment was nice, with a fully stocked kitchen, an elevator and parking behind the building. But the carpet was very dirty and needs replacing. We had to ask for a coffee pot, as they only had a French press. The pool is a 15-minute drive away at Ramada Shoal Bay, and we were very disappointed with the indoor pool.

The room was spotless, and the place was beautiful and peaceful. We’re not golfers, unfortunately, but I’d certainly go back.