The Outlook Cabana

The family were welcoming, and the place itself is beautiful, but we left very disappointed because the advertising gave us the wrong impression. The Cabana and pool are right in front of the main house, with residents able to see straight into both. We didn't use the pool, and kept the blackout blinds closed the whole time instead of opening them to enjoy the view. For a couple or family wanting privacy, it didn't feel worth the money. The horse ride also wasn't much of a trail ride. Compared with other places I've tried, it was more like walking around the backyard and seemed better suited to kids. We had a bad interaction with one owner, who got frustrated and hung up on me. Later, when the TV apps we'd been told were available had logged out, I called for help and was told it was strange and should already be logged in. We couldn't use them. The grazing box was listed at $85, but we were charged $120 for the small size. All of this made the trip a real letdown.

I felt relaxed and had no privacy concerns. The large blinds let me see out without the owners seeing in, and, as others have mentioned, the owners are usually busy and don't seem to be watching guests. The Cabana itself is spacious, supportive bed and all, with a well-stocked bathroom that had extras I don't usually find. The property is beautifully maintained, especially the infinity pool and gardens, and there are activities like bushwalking, horse riding, and kayaking. The lounge was clean but needs replacing or refurbishment, since the support has gone on both sides, though the middle is okay. You can hear traffic from the nearby main road, but it didn't bother me much when we were busy around the property. A lovely option for an anniversary or other special occasion. Bernie the dog was a friendly co-host and therapy dog too.

The Cabana and grounds are beautiful, and the room was fresh, clean, and had a great view. But the main house is only about 5m away, so we felt watched unless we kept every curtain shut. On top of the already expensive rate, firewood and use of the firepit cost an extra $50, even though the amount of wood was minimal. We were also asked to feed the owners' dog while they were out, which we didn't want to take on during our honeymoon. When we got back from dinner on the first night, I saw the owner looking through the window as we returned. The owners were also angry that we used the indoor fireplace, though the lengthy rulebook didn't say we couldn't. They said it was too hard to clean. It's a lovely place, but the lack of privacy was a shame. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone wanting complete privacy.

The view and accommodation were nice, and the gardener was friendly and helpful. Beyond that, we were disappointed. The host felt intrusive and snobbish, and with so many rules we never knew what we were allowed to do. We were worried about being told off, so we didn't use any of the amenities. The pool was being cleaned the whole time, the entertainment area didn't feel welcoming, and the bed and sheets seemed dated. We stayed two nights but spent most of them away from the property. There's literally nothing nearby to see or do. It felt like staying in a stranger's house with the host under the same roof, but at a five-star hotel rate.