Songbirds Rainforest Retreat — Hotel in Tamborine Mountain

I came to Songbirds after a friend of mine highly recommended. Following a very stressful and busy period at work, I was just looking for a place to 'get away from it all' and being at one with nature. Songbirds exceeded all my expectations which were already high following my friends enthusiasm for the place! As soon as I entered, the majestic rainforest towering above lined the way to reception. Pademelons (a type of wallaby evidently) grazed unphased by my presence and just glanced at me as I went to check in. The person on reception (Michael) was extremely warm and welcoming and it was very evident he loved his job and the paradise he was working in. He walked me to my villa pointing out an array of birds and even a type of stick insect I had never seen before. Entering the villa I was blown away by the entire accommodation including a luxury spa bath, which seemed to be seamlessly placed overlooking the rainforest. I knew then that this place would allow for me to replenish my soul, I felt a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For some visitors there may be a slight disappointment that the onsite restaurant is no longer operational and is used only for weddings and other functions. Yet for myself this was not problematic as it meant no distractions from the peacefulness and serenity of the place. Food is available by way of ordering grazing platters which are delivered to the villa and contain an abundant variety of cheeses, pickles, breads and even frittata. Along with the gourmet breakfast provided, I felt no need to venture into the mountain village situated a few kilometres away. For those who prefer to dine out however, there is an abundance of eateries just a short drive with evidently one of the best Indian restaurants in the area only a 5 minutes away. For myself however, I had decided to hang up the car keys and make the most of every minute of my 3 night stay at Songbirds. My time at the resort was spent wondering around the vast gardens and rainforest trails which enticed me to replenish my love for photography, a hobby which seemed to have disappeared from my day to day life. I watched the sunrise whilst practicing yoga in a little villa overlooking the manicured lawns. I finally read a book which I purchased over a year ago; an indication to myself that I really was relaxed and had achieved my initial intentions of getting away from it all. I marvelled at wildlife which I had never seen before, sometimes whilst watching out of the window whilst lazing in the spa bath. On my last day I did indulge by booking a massage. The last massage I had was a thai massage in Melbourne and although it had been beneficial, the constant pummeling had felt far from relaxing. Yet the massage I had in my villa named Lomi Lomi (no idea what it actually means) was one of the most wonderful massages I have ever had, relaxing and therapeutic. Once the massage therapist departed, I knew I had achieved my initial reason for coming to Songbirds, I felt completely relaxed and my soul replenished. The only caution I would give to anyone thinking of going to Songbirds is to expect a certain degree of sadness upon leaving as it is hard to say goodbye to the peace and tranquillity that surrounds you. However, even this was reduced ehen Michael informed me that as a valued guest I would be entitled to a discount on future bookings; I am therefore returning in September! If you are looking for a resort with eateries, activities for children, a late night bar and entertainment on your doorstep then there are other options for such in Mt. Tamborine. However, if like I you are looking for a luxurious place to be at one with nature and seek peace and serenity in style, I cannot recommend this place enough. As I am sure you have gathered by now I have totally fallen in love with Songbirds Rainforest Retreat and will now be counting the days until my return. Thank you to all those who made my stay so remarkable, I look forward to seeing you again...

We had a great stay at Songbirds, Debbie at reception was very pleasant to deal with. We had a an issue with our booking regarding a couples massage that was missed by the team but we got through in the end and had it resolved. The location is secluded in a fabulous rain forest with cabins overlooking the forestry. The cabin itself is no first class and is tired and in need of investment renovation but putting that aside and taking in the surrounding of nature should outweigh the tired furnishings. Is the room worth the high cost? I don’t believe so it could be reduced but for us it was the experience rather than complain, we took it at face value and the experience.

The gas fireplace was fabulous to lay on the bed looking out at the darkness with a beautiful light of a fire.

The bathtub and bathroom were no fabulous marble or sparkling taps but again it served its purpose even if the bath does soak the entire bathroom but it was a giggle and a moment to remember for us.

A short walk enters into the indoor outdoor restaurant setting with a wood fire located conveniently in the centre. After being seated and browsing through the menu we kept it simple with the pulled pork burger and a cheese burger along with the cheesy cob for starters. The food was that of a modern restaurant perfect for those like us who doesn’t enjoy fine dining. The staff at the restaurant may appear be inexperienced but they still delivered a pleasant dining for us. They may have an inappropriate whiteboard at the entrance to their kitchen and appear to be unhygienic but it made it part of the experience that was a giggle.

As mentioned we booked the couples massage that unfortunately was forgotten but rearranged for the next day. Unfortunately they only had one masseuse available so we had to go separately thanks to reception for the late check out complimentary to give us the time to make this possible. The massage in itself was of an average massage I believe the masseuse is contracted externally but she was very pleasant to us and we found the massage okay to relax to for an hour.

The breakfast basket arrived to our room soon after 08:30, it arrived in a cute basket with a few options inside. The croissants were warm and fresh resulting in a delicious eat. Fresh fruit with vanilla yogurt and fresh orange juice was complimented of the choice.

Our overall experience was enjoyable cosy and perfect for a young couple with no expectation of above and beyond. We enjoyed our experience at songbirds and would consider returning in the future. Hopefully the management will invest is such a fabulous setting to see the long success of this establishment.

Thank you...

"Ruined Anniversary – Lied to, Left Stranded, and No Apology"

We booked a Deluxe Villa at Songbirds Rainforest Retreat on January 10th through Booking.com for March 28th-29th, with our 2-year wedding anniversary dinner at their restaurant on the 29th. I personally called the hotel that same day to confirm both the villa and dinner reservation, and they assured me everything was in order. We received multiple confirmations—twice from the motel, three times from Booking.com, and even had the funds deducted on March 18th. With no reason to suspect any issues, I sent a final email on March 27th, only to be told that the restaurant was closed due to no available chef—strange, but we made alternative arrangements.

Then came the real disaster. March 28th, we arrived at Mt Tamborine, had lunch, and called Songbirds at 1:30 PM to ask about early check-in due to the heavy rain. The response? "No, we have no rooms."

Confused, I reminded the staff member that we had a confirmed booking. Her response? A wedding party had booked out the entire venue, including the restaurant, and our booking must have just been ‘closed.’ No apology, no explanation, just silence.

I pressed further—why did someone tell me the restaurant was closed due to no chef when clearly, it was catering to a wedding? Her response? "Oh, that would have been me. I don’t know why I said that."

When I asked how our confirmed, paid-for room had been double-booked, she deflected, blaming "someone else who used to work here." Again, no apology, no accountability, just rudeness. We called Booking.com, who confirmed the hotel would not accommodate us, canceled the booking, and issued a refund. But by then, our anniversary trip was ruined, and with no other available accommodation, we had no choice but to drive home disappointed.

This place lied to us, strung us along, and left us stranded with no remorse. Absolutely disgraceful customer service—if you value reliability and honesty, avoid Songbirds...