Cradle Alpine Retreat — Hotel in Tasmania

Lovely. We read plenty of horror stories before our arrival. We figured that these were from prior to the new owners starting improvements. We found the place to be fine. There were plenty of complaints about the mobile phone coverage. There is mobile phone coverage if you are with Telstra, but that goes for most of regional Tasmania. The other companies will tell you that their coverage is only a poofteenth behind Telstra's, but that's an awful lot of Tasmania's regional population. So the moral of the story is if you're not with Telstra you're not likely to get coverage.

People have complained that it's a long way from Cradle Mountain. It's not. A 20 minute drive maybe. If you're expecting it to be on Cradle Mountain's doorstep then you haven't studied the map. This is the Cradle-Coast municipality. Hence the name Cradle Alpine Retreat. Nowhere in Tassie is an easy 2 minute drive if you want to see wilderness without paying through the nose for it.

The accommodation is 3 1/2 star, so don't expect 5. There was bacon and eggs waiting in the fridge. There was also bread and spreads. The kitchen is well equipped. We have been warm and comfortable. The spa is of a generous size for 2. There is no wood heater in the Roland chalet in which we stayed. Yet the heating is adequate without being excessive. This is in the winter time so that's fine. There is a Bluetooth speaker/radio. A tv/DVD combo. A set top box. There is a Wi-Fi dongle supplied if you really need internet. It will cost you to recharge it. But it's the best the hosts can do with what is available. I know, I've lived in Tassie for 2/3 of my over 50 years. Regional S.A before that. 2 TV channels back then.

Anyhow, for what we paid we were very happy! It's clean, comfortable and tranquil in a bush...

Are the other people reviewing this place on crack. So highly rated?!?! Rooms are small, and in bad need of an update. It's basically a very old house that's been converted into cabins with a few old add on's around the property. We stayed in Hartz cabin which the bedroom wall literally connects to the kitchen of next door property. Its seperated by a thin piece of plaster board only. Very loud, not at all what you would expect staying in 'isolation'. Our neighbours stayed up past 12am in the kitchen for some reason so very little sleep. Outside there's no privacy in the gardens. All cabins are basically pointed and overlooking each other. Its also on a T intersection of a fairly busy road so lots of traffic noise of people day tripping over to cradle mountain. We paid $215 per night which on reflection there's better options out there at this price point. We literally chose this place because of the reviews. The breakfast is 3 1/2 pieces of bacon, 4 eggs, a tomato and half a loaf of bread. Could be better, could be worse. Also no wifi, no reception, very uncomfortable bed, bugs and dirt on the window sills. The one positive is the bathroom which was well appointed but unfortunately not enough to overlook the other points. I can see what the proprietor is trying to achieve here. There is potential but either stick with a lower price point or spend some money and update the rooms a...

This villa typed accomdation is very spacious with large bedrooms, living room, dining area and kitchen. Sleep very comfortably. For such supposed to score high marks. Location fair need to drive 24km to Cradle Mountain visitor centre and 20+km to Sheffield. Walking distance to the only restaurant in which last order before 7.30pm. The worst experience is the check in and out, which was totally self serviced. From arrival to leaving we have never talked to any staff. Since this property is located in a region of poor infrastructure and wifi cannot be provided, and in this region except Telstra, no other mobile net is available. No staff is on site at the reception. Imagine when you have no internet, no telecommunication, no staff, I was just panicking what to do, and the phone hanging outside the reception has no sound, so just didn't know how to talk to the staff. Somehow I just found an envelope with my name written showing which house and the code for the key (just like playing lost and found). I think if after-hours staff is not possibly available, at least I should receive a greeting email, or message or WhatsApp, telling all the information we need before hand (that what were done in other countries), at least not making...