Castello's Pakenham International Buffet Hotel — Restaurant in Melbourne

Castello's Pakenham International Buffet Hotel.

What can I say about this restaurant except that we unfortunately never got the chance to sit down and eat here because of all the 'politics' that ruined our experience and left us quite upset. Beware everyone!

I had made a booking at the venue for our baby boy's event a good month and a half ago. The week of the event I call to confirm numbers and I'm told the booking doesn't exist. Red flag. The staff scramble without a care while I'm on the phone listening to all the whispering and tell me they were able to find 25 seats but then endeavour to tell me there was a price hike, the venue manager even having a chuckle saying lucky I wasn't told on the day as that would have been a shock to the system! So unprofessional I couldn't believe the way they were treating us. We were just a number. I believed they would at least honour the quote provided to us when the reservation was made. Especially due to the inconvenience of not locating our booking and causing unnecessary stress. We really were just a number to them. No sympathy with the fact that in 6 days our son's event was on, invitations were already sent out, guest's had rsvp'ed. We ended up cancelling the entire booking (almost $700 plus drinks the venue would have made if they treated us like we mattered) and decided to move the event to our place with 5 days notice (to source food/catering, tables, chairs, decorations). The venue didn't give a damn at the work in it for us to move the event.

So disappointing and stressful. Definitely would not recommend for anyone to hold an event there in fear of being in our situation. The staff unprofessionalism is appalling so save yourself the experience and go elsewhere for a...

Venue: 5 Star Dining Experience: 5 Star Playground: 5 Star Family Experience: 5 Star Staff: 5 Star Food: 2 Star

As a father to 6 and big food critic when it comes to food, I'm always on the hunt for all you can eat buffets or the new thing, the reason i gave this a 2 star was i attended this venue for the first time and then again within a week was due to the food quality.

1. Prawns - Smelled off and appeared to have black spots on the prawns and discoloring and not bright as normally defrosted prawns or fresh prawns it seemed to have been either defrosted by hot water or boiling hot water and been sitting and aired for a long time before been put on ice, and when pulled apart the shell stuck to the meat as if it was stuck (this happened on both visits a week apart)

2. Food Quality/Changing out old food - Alot of the made foods seemed to have been sitting there for a long time and had become stale and hard, then the cooks would dump newly made food on top, so it was mixed around

3. Roast - Difference between both visits was the first visit the portion of meat been cut and given out was larger than second visit the second visit felt like the chef was giving out toddler portions and was cutting small parts off the meats then scraping the cutting board along with the meat to put on the plate as if they are being reserved. The cue for the meats was ridiculous for the amount of meat that was given, and it put me off from wanting to eat.

I apologize for the honest review, but it may be critical for the venue to rectify and review but i...

Congratulations to Castello"s staff and management,and thank you very much!🎁🎈💯💥

You are undoubtedly the best in your field.

Normally I am not in the habit of ever doing 5 stars,cos no one is perfect, but this establishment is the exception to that rule,..

From the moment you set foot in the door you are greeted by staff,,but it feels more personal,like family, nothing feels like it is too much trouble,it is not just staff "doing there job ",it goes above and beyond that ,and has a genuine feel to it, the manager even came over, and genuinely thanked us for choosing to dine here today and he really meant it ,and ,he went around ,and did this with everyone, there is a large kids playground, Seating is spread out ,so you don't have to sit on top of other people, everything is very clean everything is thoroughly wiped and cleaned properly once people leave. If you are one of those people that worries about buffet restaurants ,please just try this one once ,it is above common standards that seems to be typical of some other similar restaurants and very well presented.

The food is not only exquisite in appearance, but also in taste ,flavour ,texture , and temperature , everything is just perfect ,and I mean that . the vast quantity of choice and the quality of the food is second to none . I actually could not find one little fault with anything. if I could afford it.,I would eat there at least 3 nights a week and never get bored ,there is so much variety,and you really do get what you pay for ,it's worth every cent. thank you...