My husband and i attended a wedding in November. We found the guesthouse most inviting and the staff were very friendly and attentive. The rooms are lovely with king size bed and roomy ensuite. The gardens and views are picturesque. The meal served at the wedding function was excellent. Breakfast in the dining room was great - plenty of food and choices.

My husband and I spent one (Saturday 19 Nov) night at Bellinzona Grange (with a Red Balloon Spa Package), a beautiful property surrounded by a lovely landscaped garden. After check-in, we wandered around the property and noted that a wedding was being set up. As we left for dinner at a nearby restaurant, the guests were arriving and congregating in the foyer area and bar. When we returned no one was there and, although we'd expected some noise, there was none. We slept very well on the comfortable King-size bed.

The very spacious bathroom offered a spa bath which I couldn't resist! We are active senior citzens and so the large deep spa bath posed no problem; however, surprisingly, there are no grab rails and no rubber mat was supplied.

The room itself had ample cupboards, comfortable furniture, doors leadng out onto the front verandah which runs around the property, a large TV and a fridge with well-stocked mini bar.

Grange Bellinzona is close to restaurants and Hepburn Springs Spa, a beautiful additional experience with its numerous infinity pools, soothing music and great views from the floor-to-ceiling-wall-to-wall windows. Grange Bellinzona has its own spacious pool and spa. Since we had a reservation for the afternoon of our arrival at Hepburn Springs Spa, we didn't have time during our short stay (2pm check in, 10am check-out) to also enjoy the indoor pool and spa.

An extensive, hot (sometimes luke warm!) buffet breakfast is offered in a separate room to the main dining room, a huge, beautifully furnished space wth windows overlooking the garden and country views beyond. Three long tables, decrated with vases of whie gladioli, were set up for the wedding guests, providing a festive feeling.

Reluctantly, we made our way back to Melbourne and home stopping in nearby Daylesford at the Convent Gallery and the Sunday Market.

I stayed at Bellinzona Grange with two relatives on Sat 26 Nov 2011. We were expecting a lovely relaxing stay as the description led us to believe with a comfortable lounge, peaceful setting, great food and possibly an open fire (weather dependent). We were all v disappointed!

A wedding was also booked there on that day/night but we had not been informed when we arrived the rain was pouring down the comfortable lounge was inundated with all the wedding guests and the music from the wedding then went on until 10pm with claopping/cheering and trudging by loads of guests down the creaking hallway past my room-maddening!!

When we arrived at dinner the service was friendly but totally inept waiting 15 mins+ for an order, two of us got water, the third nothing, no breadrolls until we asked 4 times, wait staff banged out of the service doors with plates but didn't know which table to go to, a request for mineral water received a response of oh I forgot after 30 mins, after waiting over an hr for our main meal and watching other diners sitting with dirty plates in fron of them or waitng the same as us we all decided it was like an aussie 'fawlty towers'. The food was ok but the drawn out poor service detracted from what should have been a fun, enjoyable meakl. After the wedding ended at 10pm we all breathed a sigh of relief only to then hear the noisy clean up with trolleys going up and down the creaking hallway, a vacuum cleaner going, dishes clanking-all so unbleievably frustrating and such poor management and planning. Noone begrudges a wedding it should be such a love filled occassion but I resent when the other guests staying are disregarded but still expected to pay the normal rate, Bellinzona should let everyone booking know there is a wedding going on and offer a discounted rate to cpmpensate for all the noise and lack of access to the bar etc

When we checked out we got a rote did you enjoy your stay and we said no along with at least three other groups saying the same thing. Customer service is crucial in this competitive hospitality industry, Bellinzona Grange doesn't seem to care and I'll choos another place to stay and eat next time-no more Bellinzona for me -over-priced, poorly managed and thoughtless planning and custimer service.

We stayed one night on a dinner, bed and breakfast package purchased via wotif.com for $364.95

I liked the 'non smoking' rule, the plush carpeting throughout the retreat, the antiques and the reproduction antiques and the general atmosphere of 'old money' and class.

There is a nice area in front of the bar with plush leather chesterfield chairs. A great space to catch up with friends prior to dinner.

Our king bed roomwas small, and was on the road side of the Main Road that runs through Hepburn Springs.
King bed was comfortable and is two singles beds put together. Bathroom was clean and adequate. There is no place to put luggage but ample storage space in cupboards for clothes.

TV in room is small, located inside a cupboard and really not worth the effort (my computer screen is larger). Put a 42" plasma or LCD on the wall I say and make it worthwhile.

There is no lift so luggage has to be hauled up stairs and down corridors which for people with mobility issues or health issues is a concern.
After hauling our luggage in from the car that was parked out on the main road and through the corridors and up the stairs we found there was no luggage rack in the room - very poor. I had to put my suitcase on the floor the entire time and spread my clothes out on the floor. My partner did the same. Not happy Jan! Note there is a car park out the back of the property but it would have involved even more walking and a hilly walk at that.

It is rare to find an indoor pool in Daylesford or Hepburn unless you go to the main spa.
The indoor pool was a pleasure to use and as I was the only person in the pool it was a rejuvinating experience. There is also a spa in the corner of the swimming pool room. There is a very noisy self closing door that interrupts the experience and staff should look at something less noisy.

Dinner was absolutely delicious with fresh local produce, 3 courses and excellent service. The dessert was a very below average but first and main courses were superb (felt like I should have stopped whilst the going was good but it was a 3 course set menu). Dining room venue is grand and elegant with classic reproduction antique furniture.

It is hard to fault this outstanding resort though. The management and staff (particularly Andrea the manager) provided excellent customer service. The facilities are located in beautiful surroundings and are all well maintained. The chef is to be commended on breakfast and dinner. The room was quiet. The gardens are beautifully maintained.

Check out time is 10am - a tad too early for us on a Sunday morning.

I may not return as I prefer self contained accommodation whilst staying in the area but I recommend to anyone needing a 'hotel, upmarket guest house type' experience.

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