The Lodges

Our Airbnb host moved us here at the last minute. At check-in they asked for my credit card details in case of damage, even though I hadn't booked directly and the host had made the reservation. I still don't understand why it had to be my card. The host said it was standard procedure and they wouldn't make an issue of minor things, but I wasn't reassured. We were tired after a long travel day, and all seven of us just wanted to freshen up and rest. The sunset over the lake was beautiful, and it's a short walk into the city. But inside, the place felt run down, with fixtures that needed repairs and blinds in poor shape. It had a homey feel, though the decor seemed stuck in the 80s. There was mould or old dust in the crevices, so I wouldn't use things from the cupboards. The stairs are steep, which makes this unsuitable for people travelling with elderly relatives or wheelchair users.

We were in apartment 307 for four nights in mid-March and would happily return. It was very clean and serviced every day, with plenty of fresh towels left for us. The beds were extremely comfortable, and the kitchen and bathrooms were modern. The carpets and furnishings were nice, too. We loved the private deck and its views, and the apartment is very close to town. There are bedrooms on the top and bottom levels, with the kitchen and lounge in between, so the stairs could be tricky for anyone unsteady on their feet. It's also a little way up the hill from the busy road, with quite a few outdoor steps to reach this unit. There are about four apartments at road level, though, which you could request if you want to avoid those outside stairs. We highly recommend The Lodges.

The lake view and location were very good, and the apartments are large and fully equipped. Ours was a bit old-fashioned and could have been cleaner. I don't think the light switches had ever been cleaned. We paid for three nights and were initially told we'd need to move to a cheaper room on the third day. Then we were told a booking had been cancelled, so we could stay in the apartment after all. We were lucky to keep it, but nobody told us the third night would still be charged at the full apartment rate.

We stayed as a group of five and had a great time. The apartment is just a five-minute walk from town, and it's close to the lake, with a balcony looking out over it. There's also a staircase leading all the way down to the lake. The facilities were very good, and the cupboard had more than enough pillows and towels, so there was no need to call for extras. Recommended.