Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
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Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a boutique coastal retreat with a vibrant regional restaurant, focusing on Mediterranean and Italian food. The property is situated high on the NSW Bouddi Peninsula and surrounded by untouched Bouddi National Park and many secluded and pristine beaches, Bells at Killcare is just a 90-minute drive north of Sydney's CBD and offers exclusive and private coastal style cottage accommodation - 25 cottages and suites, and 4 luxurious lodges, sprawling over a huge rural acreage. Guests can relax by the outdoor 20 metre lap pool or enjoy a signature spa treatment in the delightful Bells Day Spa. Arrive by seaplane, ferry or car.
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
Business
Languages Spoken
English, French, Italian
Location
107 The Scenic Rd, Killcare, New South Wales 2257 Australia
Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
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We stayed two nights in a Spa unit at Bells in late February. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and offered drinks while we discussed the Bell's facilities and recommendations for things to do in the Central Coast.
Our room was a spacious area with lounge, kitchenette and huge King bed in the one area. The lounge area has a comfortable lounge and large screen TV with movie channels(and free movies).
The kitchenette had cutlery, crockery,and glasses etc for two . Also included was a bar fridge with drinks therein (to pay) and chips , chocolates available (to pay) etc. There was dishwasher and fly sprays available.
The bed was fantastic - huge and cushy - with many pillows and individual reading lamps etc. There was a good sized clothes cabinet with "we trust you" coathangers, safe , ironing board and iron and bag holder.
The bathroom was also a big room with a double spa bath, salts etc and a very big shower with overhead shower head as well as a hand held shower head. Shampoos, etc provided.
We had a lounge on the outside verandah which also has a small BBQ and a few deck chairs.
Breakfast was provided (as part of room cost) in the Restaurant area. Cereals, fruit, a variety of breads, spreads etc were provided as well as an impressive hot meal menu. The poached eggs (with Smashed Avo, Feta etc day 1 and with a delicious sausage day 2) were sensational!!
We had dinner one evening in the restaurant, The seafood Bouillabaisse was delicious and beautifully presented. The cheese platter was great as was the service. A very enjoyable evening.
This is a lovely place to get away from the weekly grind. Prices are pretty reasonable for a great place among the trees. Will return
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Date of stay: February 2020
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Great news. We look forward to welcoming you again one day. Thank you for sharing.
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I had the 3 hour “dreaming” spa treatment, though it is the most expensive treatment I came out feeling so relaxed.
Body scrub, mud cocoon, foot scrub, hair treatment and scalp massage, relaxing body massage, numerous foot massages and then a facial, with a cup of herb tea to finish off.
I felt so relaxed afterwards and I’m quite sure I nodded off a couple of times.
If choosing this treatment don’t worry about washing or doing your hair as you will need to have a shower half way through the treatment to wash off the clay wrap and wash your hair after the hair treatment.
Wouldn’t do this treatment if you had to go out straight afterwards unless you’re okay with your hair looking like it does after you hop out of the shower.
The staff were all very friendly.
Definitely recommend a day at the spa 😊
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 19 Feb 2020
How fantastic. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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We found the room to be really well set out and decorated, with a French/sea-side feel. The large bed was very comfortable, as was the living area. The fridge actually kept our ice blocks frozen, something most hotel fridges can't. The fridge also didn't keep us awake all night like most other hotel rooms. The bathroom was fantastic with the biggest bath we have seen and a good selection of toiletries. The grounds are very relaxing and we enjoyed a good walk around, had a swim in the outdoor pool. There is a small "bar" outside where you can get yourself a drink, and sign it to your room. They also have a pantry from which you can make up a lunch hamper with fresh bread and good cheese, which is also signed to your room. The "Almost perfect" title of this review is due to the restaurant. We arrived in the late afternoon to check in for two nights and were unaware that we had a package which included two night's dinners. One dinner a three course meal and the other a five course degustation. When we checked in we were not made aware of this either. We were not made aware of this when we gave our room number at the first meal. When we asked for the bill after only having two courses for dinner, the waiter had added a tip to the bill, but when we told him we were guests he scratched the total out. The next night we were given the degustation menu but we didn't want it, but they eventually told us we had already paid for it in our package. This was very disappointing because we felt we were just getting what we had eaten, or seen others eating the previous evening, but only half the serving sizes. So the accommodation and grounds are great, but the whole was let down by our dinning experience.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:We had room number 9.
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 24 Aug 2020
Hi TrevorMP, Thank you for sharing and we are sorry you did not know that your Escape Package includes dinner both nights over a weekend. This is clearly written on your confirmation along with both your dining times in the restaurant. We also offer a one-on-one welcome at check-in time, where we go over all the finer details of your stay. We will be sure to investigate why you were not reminded of your package inclusions then. We are very happy you enjoyed the rest of your experience with us. Hopefully we will see you again one day. Kindest Regards.
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I had booked in for the infrared sauna and when I was shown in I was very surprised at its open location. Wedged in the hallway between lockers and the restrooms is not what I was expecting or used to. There is no private way of entering the sauna and because all belongings must be housed in the locker, I encountered 2 staff members plus another guest who was leaving the opposing restroom whilst I was only wrapped in a bath towel. Highly uncomfortable.
Sitting in the small confined area, there is no back support rail which is usually provided in other infrared saunas, which meant you couldn't relax properly as you would often burn your skin if it touched the black panelling. There is a modesty curtain that only covered half the door, heaven forbid your towel slipped when you moved. With the location right next to the bathrooms I had to listen to other guests come and go using the facilities (no Bluetooth speakers in this sauna).
After I finished and went to use the shower, this hadn't been cleaned properly - seeing other people's hair still left on the walls was enough of an incentive for a quick rinse only and a hasty exit. After waiting around spa reception for 20 minutes with no one around, I left a post it note to arrange payment over the phone and left. Not the 'Hamptons spa' experience advertised.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 24 Aug 2020
Thank you for sharing your feedback kotomid and we apologise for your sauna experience not fulfilling your expectations. We will investigate the issues you have raised immediately. Kindest Regards.
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Fish was nice but a few little bones but far too many chips to fill us up My gripe was a bowl of salt with no spoon so fingers had to be used. No salt cellar was available same as sugar cubes, no tongs fingers only. I find this very hygienic The staff were excellent and very professional.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Thank you for your comments. I agree, our staff are certainly very professional and helpful. Fish for our Friday lunch special is delicious, local flathead from the Hawkesbury. The salt on the table is replenished for every new customer. The sugar can be served with your own tongs or delivered separately to you. We hope to see you again one day.
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We booked Unit 14 for a long weekend with a half board package ( incl breakfast and dinner ). For our first two nights we actually ordered room service as my partner was very tired from a stressful week. The food was fantastic with a special shout out to the Beetroot, Orange, Labne and pistacio salad !!! Breakfast in the main dining room was incredible. Our room consisted of the main bedroom / bathroom and the lounge between our unit and the one next door. This included a large comfy lounge, two kitchens, large dining table, two cozy fireplaces and two TV's. Unfortunately on the last day of our stay my wife wasnt feeling well so we decided to return home early. The team at Bells not only were very understanding but instead of giving us a credit (which we would have been more than happy with) they refunded one nights accommodation and the Chefs Tasting dinner. I can't speak highly enough of the lovely room, amazing food , beautiful landscaping and the amazing staff ( Reception, wait staff and cleaning). We will definitely be back as soon as we can for more of the Bells at Killcare indulgence and this time my wife will most certainly be including some of the spa treatments.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:They all looked excellent
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 24 Aug 2020
Thank you for choosing to stay with us & for sharing your kind words. We appreciate it very much and look forward to welcoming you both again soon.
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There are changes at Bells restaurant. No tablecloths and more disinfecting of tables after diners leave, tables further apart, all Covid 19 safety precautions. Otherwise it is not much changed, although a new executive chef suggests a new order and a new menu. We were eager to try it. Our meal did not begin well. The dipping sauce which looked and tasted like chopped up onions in brown vinegar lacked any suggestion of subtlety and did nothing for the otherwise excellent oysters. The raw scampi presented in their half shells were delicious but spoiled by the aesthetically pleasing addition of a slice of the hottest chilli which so fought against the delicacy of the flesh that it could only mean that the chef had never tasted either. Things got worse. The deep fried chicken was insipid and the beef cheek tasteless, perhaps cooked and reheated. The chips were good. The gelato had lumps in it, and the tarte au citron was a travesty. The uncooked pastry of the base and the layers [?] of the lemon filling gluggy. Not good enough. The wait staff were pleasant, but the wine waiter did not seem to know much about the wine. Yes, it came from Italy, Tuscany, and was red, we too could determine from the extensive wine list, but we wanted to know what it tasted like. That was more difficult. He poured the first glasses, placed the wine on a side table, and then disappeared. After a short drought we asked our waitress to bring the bottle to the table and we poured for ourselves. Not very polished, certainly not good enough for a restaurant with pretensions of sophistication. Sydney prices for food that was not much better than pub food. Would we go back. Not that desperate.
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Date of stay: June 2020
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 24 Aug 2020
We apologise for your dining experience at our restaurant John & will look into these issues. Please let us know when you are in next so we can look after you.
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Firstly, the positives. The setting was lovely, quiet, peaceful, room was very comfortable, lovely bathroom, welcome gift a nice touch, great teas provided and loved the bathroom products.
The food and service in the restaurant was mostly excellent.
Unfortunately the service from one of reception staff was not good. She had a cold and defensive manner. I mentioned we were a bit surprised that there were many children in the pool when we arrived as I had understood the place was for adults only, as the guest rooms were advertised that way. My mum and I had particularly wanted a quiet and peaceful stay as we were suffering a recent bereavement. The staff member rudely stated that the guests with children were checking out anyway and that the establishment wasn’t adults only. I think this needs to be made more clear on the website.
Our room wasn’t ready (we had arrived early) and we were told we would be contacted when it was ready. We weren’t contacted and so we took a wander around only to find out the room was in fact ready. The cleaners had tried to tell the front staff who hadn’t passed it on to us. We knew early checkin wasn’t guaranteed but it felt like the reception were making a point of not enabling us to check in when it would have made no difference to them whatsoever as the room was ready.
We had to change rooms after one night (I knew this on booking). We weren’t told until late in the morning which room we were going to or when it would be ready. Nobody helped us move our bags. The same staff member with an attitude said we should expect to feel homeless for a while given the room change. We found out from cleaning staff when our room was ready and moved ourselves in, as an electrician had come to our previous room to do work and we felt uncomfortable staying there.
We were given one umbrella in our first room and it was pouring rain. Again, we asked same front staff member if we could have another. She said there wasn’t one available there but that she would ask housekeeping to provide. This never happened. Our room was far away, my mother elderly and it was pouring rain.
The pool is lovely, but no availability of a bathroom nearby or extra towels was disappointing.
For the price we paid ($850 a night including dinner and breakfast) I expected better service. We kind of felt like we were being treated as second class guests because we had to move rooms etc and there was a distinct lack of kindness or consideration from one of the reception staff.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip 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.
Response from Peter Harman, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 1 May 2022
Thank you for your feedback. It has been taken on board. Safe travels.
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The room itself is very elegant and comfortable. The grounds of the hotel are equally as impressive with a relaxing pool area, honesty bar, and great restaurant. Staff go out of their way to help, in particular the dinner waitress who was studying at Blue Mountains Hotel school, forgot your name sorry. Plenty to do around the area if you like outdoors and exercise.
There are some things which could do with changing though. The ugly white bin that sits in the dining area of the room, and the fireplace that sounds like a small tracker is sharing the room with you. I also found it strange that we received a call from the hotel after booking to check if we were celebrating a special occasion, yet nothing was done to help celebrate (except for someone writing ‘Happy Honeymoon’ on the check in page).
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Date of stay: February 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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 16 Mar 2021
Hi Paul, Thank you for your feedback.
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The other half chose this place thru referral . Well this place is great. Had the salt crusted fish (whole kilo snapper) delivered to our table encrusted and broken in front of us. The theatre was great . The fish was beautifully cooked and had the carrots, broccolini and french fries. The sides were delicious. We also went for the gelato as dessert man gotta have dessert. The wine was lovely and the service was exceptional. Happy to come back to this place anytime. The short black was the best I’ve had for a longtime.
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Date of stay: October 2020
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.
Response from Brian Barry, General Manager at Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant and Spa
Responded 16 Mar 2021
Fabulous, Thank you for supporting us.
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No problem with schoolies at Bells, very serene and tranquil environment.
Definitely will need a hire car. Hardy’s Bay is very close and has some great cafes. Ettalong has great Art Deco cinema. Lots of exploring to be done.
Yes, you can swim in ocean though will be nippy. Bells has swimming pool.
Have a great trip!
Hope Island, Australia57 contributions10 helpful votes
Hi Kathy,
We stayed in a Lakeview villa ... stunning.... but we mainly chose it for the (gas - but realistic fireplace without the mess).
Coming from the Gold Coast, we wanted a 'cold winter experience'. For couples it was perfect.... and I loved the enormous bathtub and large bathroom the entire width of the room.
Large king bedroom with plenty of storage was separated by the fireplace column (open plan, but offering privacy from the living/kitchen area).
We didn't use the balcony much as it was too cold, but that's not why we went there.
Perhaps another layout may be better for summer, although I think for couples, the open plan was cosy, yet spacious.
Loved the Deli where you could pick up a selection of cheeses etc... only for when you've overindulged at lunch.... but don't miss out of the restaurant. Superb...And the Spa! 2 nights wasn't enough.
We'll be going back with friends next time. It is too good to keep secret.
Hi Simon,
We are currently working on getting through all of our emails at present. We have had no power, phones, internet, Wi-Fi or communications for a few days with most of the Coast and Hunter blacked out.
I have spoken to reservations and they are working on it now for you. Someone will be in touch today. Sorry for the delay and we look forward to welcoming you in August.
Alternate suggestions are:
1) We can arrange transfers in a luxury van to pick you up and bring you directly here. You can email our reservations team to enquire as to rates or phone 61 2 4349-7000.
2) Sydney Seaplanes offer a 20min flight from Rose Bay (not far from Sydney airport) direct to us. Again, our reception team can assist with prices.
There are more places to choose from in the Killcare area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$531 - AU$657 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
bells at killcare hotel killcare
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Killcare Bells
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesKillcare
NUMBER OF ROOMS
29
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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