Bright Velo Hotel — Hotel in Hume

Had a terrible dining experience. I won’t be back. I am a regular at Bright, so much so that I have local status at the Brewery. We made a face to face booking for a Monday night on Saturday. We watched the owner/manager?? Take the booking and put it in the tablet ( name, number of guests (2), date, time, phone number,) etc. On the day we had a local say he would like to join us, so we rang to try to increase the booking from 2 people to 3. However, the call centre or person answering isn’t based at the restaurant and didn’t have access to the bookings so they said they would send an email. When we turned up, they said there was no record of our booking, neither for 2 or 3 people. The place was half empty so a table wasn’t an issue. We were given 2 drink menus for the three of us, so we asked for a third. Then we were given 2 food menus for the three of us, again we had to ask for a third. There is two set menus, one vegetarian and one not. My adult son doesn’t eat shellfish and the meat set menu included a prawn dish. We all liked the idea of the set menu so my son said he would swap out the prawn dish, but the waitress said there were no swaps. So we ordered the set menu for two of us and my son was going to order a la carte. But the waitress then said everyone on the table had to have the set menu or none of us could. When I then said that was ridiculous she said that’s how it is. I then asked to see the manager and she started to argue and say he wasn’t available.so we reluctantly stayed and ordered our food. The service was terrible, there seemed to be a lot of staff for a venue that was half empty. We had to wave down the staff to order our drinks, for the menus, for desert menus, we had to ask for water then again for a refill. My son felt so bad when I asked wether if my son wasn’t sitting with us, we could have ordered the set menu for two of us and she answered YES. The ambience is good since the renovation, so we had high hopes. The food was good, so the chef is on point. But the staff aren’t matching the expectations of a decent restaurant. They also don’t match the ambience of the venue. The waitress we had was in everyday clothes with a knee brace, dreadlocks and an attitude. My son wrote a review whilst we waited for our food. The owner replied that they were in the process of training staff. I am a Human Resources executive and I can assure you there was no training taking place. To refuse to get a manger or someone senior when someone has a complaint is a clear absence of any training happening. Many people can’t eat shellfish and specifically prawns, so why the hell can’t you swap it out, it probably shouldn’t even be on a...

This is going to sound trite but when I say I have delayed this review because I was determined to get it right, I am telling the truth. I didn’t want to slap together a few words of encouragement and leave it at that… I want to convey to you just how wonderful this place is.

The first thing that strikes you about the Velo Bright is how much it seems to offer in such a small area. Renovated and expanded this place is warm, stylish and inviting. We were given a code (ala AirBnB style) and this gave us 24 hour access to the building and our room. Nice and easy. Our first room (more on that later) was small but functional, warm and very stylish. But it was the bathroom and shower that blew us away and you will be no different. No picture will do this shower justice and it is very clear that a lot of care and attention has been poured into the design and finish of this boudoir. Flourishes like tiles that extend up the wall and over your head, clearly not necessary, make it obvious that this was designed to be enjoyed and as well as be functional.

We made our way to the bar and was struck by how warm and cosy it was what with its use of wood and exposed beams. The beautiful open fire and plush furnishings also helped us enjoy a beer that was, after a long drive, essential.

It was then we were approach by the manager who, seemingly for no reason, offered to upgrade our room simply because we were the only guests that night. This second room was much larger with a living area as well as bedroom but an even bigger version of the incredible shower from the previous room. This room went onto enhance an already wonderful experience.

Dinner at the restaurant was very since and the staff friendly and accomodating.

But it was when we went to leave that the bar manager struck up a conversation that lead him to open the whisky bar - just for us - so we could enjoy a whiskey in private.

The staff at the Velo are friendly and make you feel at home and while it could be argued this is what they are supposed to do, it is their flexibility and imagination that make this a very special place. They go outside the square to give you the best possible stay whether that be for one night or ten.

I would happily drive to Bright just to stay there again… it really was...

This historic 🌟🌟🌟 accommodation (read the plaque on Ireland St) gets five stars due to the room’s comfort, cleanliness and location in the heart of Bright, as well as Tim the owner’s helpful and responsive customer service, as well as his booking manager.

Snag an upstairs room if you can, as they’re apparently quieter. My spacious, (upstairs) room had a very cozy and comfortable queen sized bed complete with fresh linen, a doona and top sheet, and lovely period items with plenty of space for clothes and belongings.

The armoire has spare blankets, an iron and other useful items, and the clean and cute bathroom had lovely touches, such as a old fashioned train baggage holder for towels. Individual toiletries are also provided.

Some of the rooms are apparently being renovated, so whilst this room has older carpet, it has a freshly painted feature wall and chimney, plenty of cute mirrors and furniture, and a wall mounted LCD tv, and I was happy and comfortable from the moment I walked in.

The new wall mounted (heater and) air conditioner did a fantastic job quickly cooling the room down on a 39C day, and the table and chairs on the verandah just outside the window (accessible from the room) provide extra space to relax, and a lovely view of Bright and the mountains.

The shared kitchen space just outside the rooms contains a spacious fridge and freezer, espresso machine, microwave and clean glassware and crockery.

It’s a three minute walk at most to everything in town, including the river pool, and a phenomenal bargain....