William Bay Cottages — Hotel in William Bay

Our stay in the "Settler's Cottage" was a dream.

The entire William Bay property is beautiful, and you literally cannot tell there are 6 other cottages around you. It was total seclusion in such beautiful surroundings and we had the best time.

You can tell the cottage has been built with the greatest care and a lot of love. The finishes are gorgeous, the furniture is high end, the kitchen has everything you need and is nicely laid out. For a one bedroom cottage, it's far more spacious than I ever expected and just has a really great vibe.

The bed is super comfy and might have just cost me a lot of money cos we're definitely considering upgrading our mattress at home after sleeping in that bed.

The staff are super friendly and accommodating and more than happy to offer any advice or assistance. I'd totally recommend organising to feed the animals with them one morning too - their goat is such a personality.

We're absolutely thinking of making this an annual trip and I'm already missing the tranquillity now I'm back at work and the stress of normal life is creeping in.

Due to a cancellation, we were offered an extra night for our trip - an opportunity we jumped at!

Thanks Ainoa and team for making us feel so welcome.

Now, some tips for would-be visitors, from a neurospicy, chronically ill person...

WiFi, music, Bluetooth, etc.

I'm 99.99% sure this is a featured highlight for many, but there is no wifi within the cottages and the mobile network reception is almost non-existent. This might be the exact reason why you choose to stay here - to really disconnect. But, if you are any flavour of neurospicy and need background noise, familiar/comfort TV/movies, music to sleep etc. etc. etc. this is where you want to be prepared.

I'd recommend downloading your spotify or google music playlists before arriving so you don't need web connection at all. There is a great sound system installed in the bedroom and bathroom where you can connect your phone via Bluetooth. A small portable Bluetooth speaker is also a good idea if you would like a musical accompaniment when enjoying the outdoor deck.

There is free wifi in the rec room, but I've never had an inclination to drive across a property and interact with strangers just to use the internet. Especially when all I need is to google that one fact that's burrowed in my brain and just wont leave or let me relax until I have the answer.

So, if you do need to access wifi of any sort - even to queue up Netflix - bringing your own is a good plan (we grabbed a Starlink to solve this particular issue).

Heating and cooling

The cottage is built beautifully to maximise breeze and shading to keep the place cool - however even that can't really contend with a 30°C+ heatwave. If you run hot, can't handle heat, have issues regulating your body temperature, or are a hot sleeper - I'd recommend bringing a portable fan for your visit. Evenings are really lovely for having the breeze coming through all doors and windows and makes for a lovely, balmy summer night. For winter or colder days, there's a beautiful woodburning fireplace which I can only imagine will be more than sufficient.

Mobility

Note: The owner does not make any claims about accessibility and my intent is simply to provide my experience as someone with chronic illness and mobility issues.

I have some accessibility issues which can be exacerbated by heat, but I was able to access pretty much everything in the cabin, just using a little more care than normal. The layout is a beautiful open plan that's easy to navigate, with loads of room to move and manouver around in. There are a couple of steps into the bathroom and getting into the jacuzzi is quite tricky. The back patio is that lovely rustic but not entirely smooth recycled brick and the steps are made from natural limestone - so just be careful if you've got any balance issues.

(we only took instant-camera photos, so here's a...

A little Rest In …Robins Nest

Had wanted to stay at William Bay Cottages for so long as we had two lots of friends stay who gave us rave reviews.

Finally we got to book for our 22nd Wedding Anniversary and Robins Nest was everything we had imagined and more.

Tucked away in a secluded bit of bush, which as you sat on the balcony or the front porch all you could hear was a sound of spectacular wildlife.

A bird lovers paradise, with a splash of farm yard animals to top things off.

You can also hear the rolling waves from the beach which is just a short walk away.

It was so nice and cosy it was hard to decide where you wanted to sit and enjoy the space. From the spacious bathtub giving a box seat view to the treescape, to staying in bed and having three windows to choose to look out.

Then downstairs a fireplace with equally tranquil views, a pond, cows in the distance, lawn and a little family of wrens up close.

The furnishings are very stylish and you can see they have spared no expense at putting quality items in it.

The attention to detail shows a keen eye and the colour palette and compliments the bush setting.

From the on trend super comfortable couch, to the soft furnishings and floor rugs and mats and well chosen pieces of furniture as well as the sage green gingham bedspread the theme carry’s throughout.

The appliances also add to the ambiance. And the light fittings are also tastefully done.

Even the kindling and prestacked fire was a welcome suprise.

It seems as if they have thought of just about everything, from Alfoil and Clingwrap to a flower beside the bath. Very impressed with the toliet not just for the inventive use of a railway pin as the toliet paper holder but also that it was also accompanied by a room spray. (Something I have never seen as a compliment to the little house, yet it seems so obvious that it should be in every toliet) And the robes and room diffusers were a lovely touch as well.

As the sun drops you can hear the soft whistles of the magpies and kookaburras laughing as if to send off another beautiful day in paradise.

While we did not get the opportunity to met Brendan the owner, we imagine the farm and property keeps him quite busy but we even loved all the heritage and the look of the old shed. It was eclectic and showed a recycling and resourceful skill that brings character and functionality and trend all to the one place and manages to package it up so you feel like you’re at home.

Tennis court was a bit of fun and the pool table in the games room. Almost wish we had kids as I could imagine them loving the opportunity to feed the animals too.

The whole place has a most warm and friendly vibe from when you first pull in and get welcomed at reception.

We have stayed in a lot of different places over the years both in Australia across the world and this is easily up there in my top three favourites.

Fortunately we have been to Denmark many times so other than venturing out for a massage at a day spa it was beautiful to stay and just be in the surrounds.

If I was to make any suggestion for William Bay Cottages it would be to have a small jar of bubble bath for those who love to soak in style and a milk jug for frothing the milk.

And on arrival ….might I suggest offering your guests a local map of the area. I worked in reception in a resort in Margaret River for 9 years and this was always welcomed especially for first time visitors but even for return guests as I found people love to hear local recommendations of must see places to add to their holiday experience.

Easily an eleven out of ten if we were scoring. Could easily have stayed longer, next time we will.

Would love to try the other cottages though after staying in the nest we feel it’s a home away from home…. And so to this nest we...

Nestled in the picturesque locale of Williams Bay near Denmark, Settlers Cottage provided us with a charming escape that was nothing short of delightful. As a seasoned travellers with a keen appreciation for comfort and nature, I found the extensive timber finishes of the cottage to be both warm and inviting, a perfect setting for a week of relaxation. We spent our evenings on the rear deck, indulging in local wines while taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant wildlife surrounding us. It was utterly refreshing to sit back and watch the wrens flitting about, along with the occasional kangaroo casually nibbling on the front lawn as dusk approached. The peace and tranquillity were marvellous, punctuated by the chirping of birds and rustling leaves—a far cry from the hustle and bustle one typically encounters. The cottage itself boasted a well-appointed kitchen, perfect for whipping up a meal after a day spent exploring. I particularly appreciated the double shower and twin-sized spa, which offered a touch of luxury that one can only hope for in self-catering accommodation. The gas BBQ was a wonderful feature as well, allowing us to enjoy perfectly BBQ meals under the stars. One highlight of our stay was the private path leading to a secluded beach, about a 1.5km walk through the enchanting woods. This serene spot provided a delightful setting for contemplation and enjoying nature. It was just a short drive to the stunning Greens Pool, an incredible swimming spot that I would highly recommend. And let's not forget the Top Shed Café located on the premises. Oh, the sourdough bread was nothing short of scrumptious, and the cakes? Well, they were indeed to die for! The café also boasted a splendid range of leather goods, a treasure trove of quality items any visitor would appreciate. This was our second visit to Settlers Cottage, and I must say, we relished every moment of our week-long stay. However, I would like to suggest that for those planning to stay a bit longer, it would be a rather splendid addition to have access to a washing machine. After all, one can only wear the same pair of socks for so long before they begin to protest! In summary, Settlers Cottage is a veritable gem, offering a tasteful blend of comfort, nature, and local charm. Adequate for a restorative getaway, it remains etched in our memories as a delightful retreat where one can...