Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

A few things could have been better. Our wind-out window wouldn’t close properly using its mechanism, so we had to push it from outside, which was inconvenient. The Smart TV had some movies already pre-purchased, mostly kids’ films and shows, but no Netflix or other streaming options. There was free TV and a few movies, though I’ve had better at other stays. We also weren’t told about the hotel pool’s temperature or hours at check-in, and had to ask reception later. It wasn’t heated, and was only 1.2m deep the whole way. That was disappointing, though it was still nice to have access to it as part of the stay. The room itself was quiet and tranquil, with a comfortable, very spacious bed and a decent view for a “restricted ocean view”. We could see the ocean, while the main outlook was over the open rear area of the building, which let in plenty of sun. The aircon kept the room at a lovely temperature, and the circular fan above the bed helped too. The bathroom was small, but the shower products smelled and felt amazing. I loved the coffee and tea selection, some of the best I’ve had on stays in Victoria. The utilities and utensils were clean and easy to find and use. The relaxing, romantic seaside feel was lovely, and there were pleasant fragrances throughout, from the lobby to the rooms, thanks to the surrounding hot springs and day spa and the products on display for sale. A lovely stay, and worth trying if you’re in the area or visiting the hot springs.

The staff were friendly, especially the hotel staff, and it was a nice overall experience. The hotel is near the sea and has several small, warm hot springs. We went for salt therapy, though it didn’t meet my expectations. I’d suggest going on a weekday if you want to avoid bigger crowds.

The staff were calm, professional, and genuinely helpful, and when our first King room had a shower that sprayed everywhere and was essentially unusable, the team handled it well. They moved us free of charge to a third-level room with ocean views and a balcony, which we were really happy with. The booking arrangements felt disjointed. Accommodation, dining, and hot springs all had to be booked separately, even though they’re under the same roof, which meant unnecessary back-and-forth. The main website listed a premium King studio at $245, while Agoda had it for $213. The Hot Springs cost $142.50 for two, and you need to call and say you’re staying to get the 10% discount. After the move, there was no water stocked in the fridge. That was disappointing after spending time in the hot springs and getting quite dehydrated. I’d expect water to be available in the room. The helpful staff and upgrade were highlights, but a few avoidable oversights affected the experience.

For $625 a night, this didn’t feel worth it. The room was very basic and old, with no wow factor, and I’m not sure it had been cleaned properly. There was water on the shower floor, and the balcony floor was dirty with spider webs everywhere. It felt more like a $300-a-night stay at best. We couldn’t get on-site parking at the time, perhaps because it was full of people doing deep spring sessions. We found a spot about a minute away, but had to drive over a curb and park on grass. Manageable, but not what I’d expect. The place is right next to the beach, and it’s useful having the hot springs in the same building. Downstairs, they insisted we needed a dinner booking, although the restaurant was almost empty. They later replied to my earlier email the next day saying a reservation wasn’t needed, so the information wasn’t consistent. One staff member dropped food at our table with a completely straight face and some mood, then later skipped past us, which was odd. The food was average, and the chips/potatoes seemed a little undercooked. The restaurant felt dull and empty, with plain white walls and no atmosphere. I honestly wouldn’t recommend staying here at this price.