CABN X Seppeltsfield Barossa

The location near Seppeltsfield is a plus, with excellent wineries in the area. Still, many are a significant drive away, there are no dinner options nearby, Uber availability is limited and taxis are expensive. For the price, the location doesn’t make up for the stay. I was also left wondering whether the other five star ratings were fictitious, based on my experience. We were given Cabin X as a surprise, but it didn’t come close to the luxury standard expected for the cost. Under a chair hadn’t been cleaned, there was a dead bug in the bath, the mirror looked long uncleaned and the shower didn’t seem well maintained. Summer is a particular problem. There’s no AC in the bathroom, and the small unit in the main cabin doesn’t circulate air well. Leaving the bathroom door open just heats the whole space, so using the bath in summer isn’t possible. This isn’t a summer stay. The lighting is poor with the blinds closed, but opening them lets in so much heat that you have to choose between seeing and being comfortable. There were a lot of basic oversights: no dish towel, a broken shampoo bottle that hadn’t been replaced, shampoo hardened from air exposure, empty ice trays, and extra blankets tossed unfolded in the cupboard. The bed squeaks extremely loudly with almost every movement and affected our sleep. There’s no hairdryer, TV or internet. Unplugging is fine, but guests should be told beforehand. The lack of a hairdryer is a real issue if you plan to go out in the evening. It’s a nice concept, let down by poor execution, little attention to detail and basic comfort problems. It might suit cooler weather, but as it is, it doesn’t deliver anything like a luxury experience.

We used a $500 gift voucher for CABN X at Seppeltsfield and were disappointed by how little was provided for the price. Arriving on a 38 degree day, we didn’t even find a basic bottle of cold water in the fridge. There were no tissues, and the bath towels were thin and basic, with no face washers. The cabin also wasn’t private at all. We had to shower with the privacy glass on, which defeats the point of the big windows. We had to contact someone to ask them to remake the bed because we were expected to sleep under a quilt without sheet coverings. I’ve stayed in much cheaper cabins that gave five star treatment. There’s work to do before this accommodation can justify charging this much.

The idea of an off-grid stay at Seppeltsfield is fantastic, and we loved the thought of a digital detox in such a peaceful, beautiful setting. But at check-in there were lots of cobwebs around the BBQ area and three spiders inside the cabin. We know being close to nature is part of the experience, but this seemed like the cabin hadn’t been cleaned or prepared properly. We didn’t feel comfortable staying the night, so we left. We’d been looking forward to the trip and were really disappointed. I hope CABN improves the cleaning and preparation for future guests, because the concept itself is great.

The views over the vineyard and rolling hills were gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, and the sauna was amazing. We had such a peaceful, private stay at CABN Theo in the Barossa, with no noise or distractions, just nature. The outdoor fire pit and indoor wood heater made the evenings feel special. We were meant to stay two nights in Cabn Elsie, then got upgraded to Cabn x Theo. The cabin was beautifully designed, minimalist but really cozy, with what we needed to switch off and unwind. It’s a lovely spot to relax and recharge off-grid. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to come back.