Pacific Bondi Beach — Hotel in Sydney

Terrible Service - An Extreme Let Down We went to the Pacific Club Bondi Beach on a Wednesday night last week around 8pm. I live on Campbell Parade so have passed the Pacific Club almost daily, and was waiting on the right opportunity to try and experience it. As the decor looks fairly special, I decided to go on a special occasion, a very special catch up with a CEO friend of mine who was over visiting from Singapore. The experience could not have been more of a let down.

Arriving at around 730/8pm the venue was only 1/3 full when we arrived to enquire about a table for 2. On enquiring we were abruptly and rudely told by the Maitre-D named Elaine, that the kitchen was too busy and that we would have to wait approximately 45 minutes to be seated, and that the 2/3 of empty tables were being set for booked guests. During our entire time at the venue, only 2 other couples arrived and all of the other "tables that were being set for booked guests" remained empty (which was not surprising). At this point we felt incredibly embarrassed and that the Matire-D had immediately taken prejudice against us and did not want us to eat at the establishment. We advised Elaine we were surprised as there were so many free tables and all but one table outside was free. We advised we would be happy to sit outside if that would assist. Elaine became agitated and advised that the kitchen was busy, and that the license for the outdoor area was only up to 9.30pm. Being only 8pm and there being only two of us we still could not understand her rude and abrasive and unwelcoming attitude towards us. We relented and Elaine advised that she could put us up at the back by the bar and we would have to just wait for unreserved tables to come up.

We were then ushered right to a corner right at the back of the restaurant and told we could order drinks in the meantime. After waiting approximately 20 minutes at the back, we observed that no new customers had entered and that the apparently multiple 'reserved tables' remained empty. There were approximately only 5 other seated tables and no large groups so we also could not understand how the kitchen could be 'so inundated' and the several wait staff were simply standing around speaking to each other (as was to be expected when there was not many patrons).

On ordering our drinks, we again enquired from Elaine how it was that we could not be seated on one of the tens of tables both inside and outside the restaurant which now clearly appeared empty and unreserved. Elaine became frustrated and advised us, not to tell her how to do her job - and that she had repeatedly told us that we could not be seated until she said so. At this stage, knowing that I was about to simply get up and leave, my friend asked politely to speak to Elaine privately. On their return, Elaine advised us that as it was well before 9.30pm still she was happy for us to have our drinks at one of the many tables outside and that she would then set us up at a table inside.

As the night went on, only two other tables arrived, and we were left astonished that we had to be put through such a terrible ordeal simply to be treated courteously and welcomed. Throughout the evening Elaine continued to be extremely abrasive and abrupt to our table, having a clear prejudice against us - I am not sure whether it was based on our race, sex, or otherwise; but it continued to make us feel extremely uncomfortable for the whole evening.

By the end of the evening we had spent over $400 between the two of us on drinks and food, and had been subjected to the worse service I have ever experienced in Sydney and Bondi. Being a local who lives doors from the Pacific Club, and member of many of the local clubs who take pride in Bondi, including Bondi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Ice Bergs, NBRSL, Rotary etc I am absolutely appalled at the treatment and had to repeatedly apologise to my guest and friend. I certainly will not be recommending The Pacific to any of my business or friends network. Avoid...

Pros:

Walking distance to the beach and shops.

Cons:

Very noisy - the building has a small courtyard with a loud echo (everyone talking and by the echo it's extremely loud). People are smoking in the courtyard, and the smell carries throughout the apartment.

Have a windows facing the street? You'll be experience very loud noises from cars, always rumbling and loud, like car alarms and motorcycles (all day/night).

The water drains are located in the thin walls of the bedrooms, and any flushing sound from neighbors is incredibly audible, especially at night.

The building staff is irresponsible, allowing and failing to monitor noisy construction work in the building (in my case, loud, unauthorized construction work was taking place in the gym at 9 pm).

In short, this isn't a place for a quiet holiday in...

Excellent venue very comfortable with a great outlook, great cocktails to begin food and wine choices were superb and we topped lunch off with Bondi pavlova and coffee... all in all a great...