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Dorsal Boutique Hotel
1 West St, Forster, New South Wales 2428 Australia
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Avg. AU$304 /night, 3/19 - 3/20
AU$312
per night
AU$297
per night
AU$282
per night
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About
#6 of 9 hotels in Forster
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Finding an ideal boutique hotel in Forster does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Dorsal Boutique Hotel, a nice option for travellers like you.
While staying at Dorsal Boutique Hotel, visitors can check out Cape Hawke Lookout (3.0 mi), which is a popular Forster attraction.
Rooms at Dorsal Boutique Hotel offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and a minibar providing exceptional comfort and convenience, and guests can go online with free wifi.
A fitness center and a lounge will also help to make your stay even more special. If you are driving to Dorsal Boutique Hotel, free parking is available.
While staying in Forster, you can check out a popular steakhouse like Hog's Breath Cafe Forster, which is serving up some great dishes.
During your visit, be sure to check out Bennetts Head Lookout (1.2 mi), which is a popular attraction within walking distance of the hotel.
Dorsal Boutique Hotel looks forward to welcoming you on your visit to Forster.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Internet
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Beach
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Private balcony
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Telephone
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Boutique
Location
1 West St, Forster, New South Wales 2428 Australia
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 83 out of 100
83
44 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
I stayed here based on the past reviews complimenting the ocean views. They were 100% correct. I loved it. There is a balcony with a table and chairs to eat your take away on. I saw many others doing this regularly and in a pandemic, it felt safer eating on my own balcony. With priceless views and a cool sea breeze, every day was a pleasure to be there. The room was large enough to have two large chairs and a coffee table. If I had one complaint, it was that none of the free to air channels on the tv worked except for 7mate, ABC news and one SBS channel. The signal was too weak for Nine, Seven and Ten. The daily walk to the shops and cafes was easy. This is one of the few hotels I have stayed in, where you cannot hear the footprint above you. Well done on getting the sound proofing right on that. I also could not hear the guests next door. All you hear is when the door clicks open and shut. For that, I got plenty of blissful sleep.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Dorsal Boutique hotel overlooks the delightful Forster beach and ocean pool. It is a neat clean and well-presented hotel that is good but not great. We bookended our recent Gold Coast driving holiday with breaks at this hotel.
The rooms are well-appointed but are not given to a “wow” factor. The cost is reasonable (approx 200-250 per night) but it does not deliver much more than a bed and room. The beds are not comfortable however and need replacements.
The key attraction is its location being adjacent to the beach and the balcony views are delightful.
There is a downstairs restaurant however it is not linked to the hotel and there are no chargeback or room service features.
Car Parking is difficult with the basement carpark a very tight proposition and if one car is not squarely parked all other parking spots become difficult to navigate.
While we liked this hotel to a point, we will probably not return there and will look for something a bit smarter. That said we love Forster as it is a great location.
The rooms are well-appointed but are not given to a “wow” factor. The cost is reasonable (approx 200-250 per night) but it does not deliver much more than a bed and room. The beds are not comfortable however and need replacements.
The key attraction is its location being adjacent to the beach and the balcony views are delightful.
There is a downstairs restaurant however it is not linked to the hotel and there are no chargeback or room service features.
Car Parking is difficult with the basement carpark a very tight proposition and if one car is not squarely parked all other parking spots become difficult to navigate.
While we liked this hotel to a point, we will probably not return there and will look for something a bit smarter. That said we love Forster as it is a great location.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Select a Superior or Deluxe room. The standard rooms have a tiny balcony and crap beds.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We only spent one night here and wished we stayed longer! Our room faced the sea and it was great to sit on the balcony and watch the waves and the beach. We had a suite deluxe with king bed - a large room with air conditioning but surprisingly little space for storage of clothes. There was little shelf space in the bathroom either. Otherwise the room was superb. The mini bar prices were the most reasonable we have come across so far in Australia.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Parking on the adjacent road was free. Eat in town not in the Sicilian restaurant below as this...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stopped over at Forster for one night on our way home to Sydney from Coffs but on entering the room immediately wished we were staying longer. The room was spacious and had a balcony with (albeit only) partial ocean views (which was fully disclosed on the booking website) but what impressive views they still were. It was lovely sitting on the balcony having a morning coffee whilst watching the surf and being treated to (many) whales frolicking in front of us. The location is absolutely superb - right on the Foster main beach front and only a few minutes walk to the town centre. The staff were lovely- it makes such a difference when everyone you encounter says hello. Customer service 101 but still stands out when you receive this welcome.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Having ocean views makes a difference so ensure you have this but even partial ocean views are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 4 nights in an ocean front room and enjoyed our stay thoroughly. The location is excellent, views from the balcony provided a never ending variety of things to see. The hotel is within a few hundred metres of two coffee shop/breakfast venues and about 400m from the main street: an easy walk. The rooms are good, it has lock-up off-street parking and a Sicilian Restaurant/Cafe/Bar down stairs. Our only reservation is with the thoroughness of room servicing. On 2 of the 4 nights the bed had been pulled up in such a slipshod way that we had to remake it. On the last night it was properly made up with fresh linen. Go figure. A small criticism but an accurate assessment.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an absolutely fantastic spot, located directly across from the main beach with extensive views of the beach, break-wall and out to sea. Sitting on the patio having a drink or enjoying something to eat is what time off is all about. The rooms themselves are large and bright as well as being surprisingly soundproof. Undercover parking is an added bonus. Staff are friendly and welcoming and the rooms are well maintained. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants located within an easy walk and the town centre is only about 5 minutes walk from the Dorsal.
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Date of stay: March 2021
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great hotel, my room had two balconies, complemented undercover parking and mini bar. Check in and checkout process was easy. Hotel reception closes at 7pm so after hours it’s phone call assist only. I wish there was a bathtub in my room after a long drive from Gold Coast 😊
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This may have been a "boutique" hotel twenty years ago but now nothing but overpriced mediocre hotel room. The room looked tired and worn out. Bathroom very basic, no vanity or much room to place things. Rust around metal door frames, tiles not the cleanest. No microwave or toaster available. TV reception almost non existent with continuous blackouts and loss of signal. Dark, pokey and smelly car park. If you get back after 8.30 pm often no spaces available meaning car has to be left out on street. If you do park your car in the carpark be wary of tainted water dripping from pipes on roof. Yes, a very expensive view of the beach.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our 2nd stay at the Dorsal and it didn't disappoint.
The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable with great beach views.
I must admit I was a little shocked to see ash trays provided in the room in this day & age. Whilst there was a sign next to it telling guests to only smoke on the balcony, I'm sure there are some smokers who ignore that.
Only other suggestion would be either a little bathroom cabinet or nice large shelf in the bathroom to put all our toiletries on. That tiny little shelf just doesn't cut it.
That said, small point.
The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable with great beach views.
I must admit I was a little shocked to see ash trays provided in the room in this day & age. Whilst there was a sign next to it telling guests to only smoke on the balcony, I'm sure there are some smokers who ignore that.
Only other suggestion would be either a little bathroom cabinet or nice large shelf in the bathroom to put all our toiletries on. That tiny little shelf just doesn't cut it.
That said, small point.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Older style hotel that situated on beach front. Our room was a studio room with a small kitchen and great ocean view. However, for $300/ night one had to ask for extra beach towels, no toaster, and bedding was minus any blanket apart from wafer blanket that had seen better days. Bathroom was a decent size with a spa bath and a separate shower. Room had carpet with older styled furniture. Apart from these minor points it was a decent stay and would recommend it.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No they do not have microwave, toaster, cutlery or plates.
"Parking on the adjacent road was free. Eat in town not in the Sicilian restaurant below as this was ridiculously expensive."Read full review
"Having ocean views makes a difference so ensure you have this but even partial ocean views are lovely in this hotel."Read full review
"Select a Superior or Deluxe room. The standard rooms have a tiny balcony and crap beds."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
AU$279 - AU$319 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesForster
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingDORSAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL (AU$279) - 2025 Prices & Reviews (Forster) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Dorsal Boutique Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Forster Main Beach (0.3 km), Forster Bicentennial Walk (0.05 km), and Second Head Lookout (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Dorsal Boutique Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Beach Street Seafoods, Beach Bums Cafe, and Tartt.
Is Dorsal Boutique Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.7 km away from the centre of Forster.
Does Dorsal Boutique Hotel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
Is Dorsal Boutique Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.