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STOP PRESS! NOW WITH FREE HIGH SPEED WIRELESS IN ALL ROOMS!Sanctuary House Resort Motel is the only motel accommodation in Healesville which enjoys a quiet 10 acre setting, off the main highway.Choose from deluxe suites(some with four poster beds and spas) or traditional accommodation, ideal for families.On site facilities include an inground swimming pool, games room and playground for the kids, plus a purpose built fully licensed restaurant/reception centre seating up to 120 people, both for a la carte dining and private functions.Walk to the sanctuary, and don't forget to ask about our discounted admission tickets for adults.
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
Family
Mid-range
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Arabic
Location
326 Badger Creek Rd, Healesville, Victoria 3777 Australia
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Location is great - less than 10 mins drive to Healesville Sanctuary, Beechworth Bakery or gerbera and alpaca farm (The Big Bouquet). Staff were helpful from the very start, when I called to book for a 3 generation group of 5. Rooms initially struck me as older, but all the details were right. The heating worked well, there were electric blankets, the wifi connected easily, there were reading lamps by the beds, milk in the fridge. The bathroom tap/faucet is high enough to fill the kettle, the powerpoints were accessible to charge our devices, the curtains kept out the light from outside and the captions on the TV worked and were easy to find on the remote control. Bathroom was a bit small, but water pressure is good and adjustable. I would have liked a chain or button lock on the hall door, as we couldn't check that it was locked. Every time we moved the handle, it unlocked. We had breakfast there both mornings and they cheerfully took all the variations in the orders in their stride. Treated ourselves to dinner in the restaurant on the last night and the food was very good. One of the desserts lets you try 4 different things and the family had fun with this. The purpose of our visit was to take our 12 year old relative to Healesville Sanctuary and this motel was perfect for us.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â A few things are out of sight. The electric blanket remotes were tucked in, the teacups are in...
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 Helen Halim, General Manager at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 7 Aug 2023
Thank you for your great review. We really enjoyed having you to stay and getting to know you all. We look forward to seeing you again on your next trip.
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From the name it has, one could be forgiven for the expectation of something greater than it actually presents itself as being. Its reviews, however, although perhaps a little higher than expected, possibly provide a more accurate picture. Despite arriving considerably earlier than the usual check-in time, I was welcomed with warmth. The room was quite basic and clearly made up from dividing a building that may have earlier provided accommodation for workers. It is abundantly clear that alterations have been made without any real effort to disguise them, which immediately detracts from any appeal a room may provide. Furnishings were very simple although the inclusion of a table from which to work at was very welcome. Sadly, the surfaces also had sticky patches, suggesting that cleaning was not considered optimal. The bed, however, was of sufficient size and comfortable. Despite a kettle being provided, no form of beverage was provided. This means that any form of refreshments a guest may desire needed to be self-supplied. The bathroom was small but adequate although the shower requires some adjustment to suit. What was welcome was the inclusion of a singular face cloth (adequate for one person). However, two towels were provided, leaving one wondering whether a single face cloth was always the norm even when a couple were staying, or two towels was an error. Located close to the town centre which is well worth exploring along with other sights in the area. Excellent Wi-Fi service.
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Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â The photos provided are of the on-site restaurant which was closed at the time staying.
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.
From the moment you arrive at Sanctuary House Hotel, you will be greeted by people who really care. I was traveling alone and felt immediately welcome & comfortable here. My room was far more luxurious ( & larger) than I expected. I travel a lot, but was really surprised by what I found; the Spa bath, spotless bathroom, gorgeous sheets, toiletries, mini fridge and outdoor sitting area with a view. But the final surprise was the food! Wow! I already knew the restaurant had high reviews but I guess I wasn’t expecting this level of finesse, particularly given prices are so reasonable. I couldn’t help but notice that everyone in the restaurant was having a wonderful time. In my opinion, this is simply the best food in Healesville. I had the smoked chicken salad & it was a standout! Really sad to leave but big thanks to Sam & Helen, the warm hearted owners for such a wonderful stay. Book early and enjoy!
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Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Check nights/ opening hours for the restaurant.
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 Helen Halim, General Manager at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 13 Dec 2022
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are glad that you took some good memories away with you and look forward to welcoming you back to Sanctuary House if you are up this way again.
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We have been coming to Sanctuary House for many years and have always had a wonderful stay. Unfortunately a year is a long time in the hospitality business and our experience this year was nothing short of terrible. Sam & Helen still own Sanctuary House but it is now managed by a family who, quite frankly, have no idea of what they're doing. We requested help in getting to the races and Bobby very generously offered to drive us there & pick us up. He also charged us $120 for the privilege ($40 per couple) and insisted on cash, which I assume went into his pocket. In previous years Sam has taken us in the courtesy bus which used to be there, and we paid at the end of our stay via card - no mention of cash. We had booked at the restaurant for dinner as always. Bobby asked us to put our order in prior to arriving so that we wouldn't have to wait long. Myself and another friend got our meals within a reasonable time, but the other 4 members of our party had to wait 45-50 mins. One friend had ordered calamari only to be told about 40 mins after arriving that they had run out. Then probably 10 minutes after she ordered a substitute, Bobby came out and said they had 'found' some calamari, 'try it and if you don't like it you can have something else'. This doesn't even touch on the comedy of errors that surrounded the rest of the meals. Four of us stayed for a 2nd night & what happened that day was just ridiculous. To be completely honest, Fawlty Towers will have nothing on this once beautiful motel if the current management continues. I hope Sam & Helen read these reviews because what I've mentioned here is just a snippet of what happened during our weekend. We unfortunately will not return unless something drastic changes.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Don't eat at the restaurant
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 Joel Jacob, General Manager at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Thank you for your feedback. We were sorry to hear that your visit on this occasion did not meet your expectations. As you are no doubt aware, the business has recently undergone a change in management and we are still in the process of getting to know all the facets of the business. With respect to some of this issues you raised, you will recall that the cost of the transport was pre-agreed between the parties and that everyone seemed happy with the price. I needed to make two trips to accommodate the whole party so that everyone was comfortable and rather than leaving you on the side of the road in 40 degree heat, I took you into the grounds to ensure that you wouldn't have to walk far. We acknowledge there were some issues with the service in the restaurant that night, however we went to great lengths to try and fix these issues and offered you a 50% discount off the bill. We are making our best efforts to make our guests feel comfortable and would be grateful if you would give us the opportunity to serve you better next time.
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We've been coming to Sanctuary House for many years. First, when our children were small and we used to visit the Sanctuary, and later without children to visit wineries, concerts and race meetings. I cannot recommend highly enough! Helen and Sam are very warm and welcoming, the rooms are clean, pool is lovely and we've had many a fun time around the bbq. The onsite restaurant serves delicious food at a reasonable cost and the breakfasts are beautiful. We often take advantage of the courtesy bus which is such a great service when you consider the amount of wineries in the Yarra Valley. We will definitely be back. Looking forward to catching up with Helen & Sam again soon!
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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 Helen Halim, General Manager at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 14 Jan 2024
We want to thank you for your wonderful support over the years. We look forward to your trip up next year.
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Excellent service, food and ammenities! I only had the pleasure of staying one night, but the attitude I was greeted with was very welcoming and kind. The food was exceptionally prepared with love and care and honestly spoke to my soul with each and every bite. The accomodation itself it’s great for the price and location, the only complaint I’d be able to provide whatsoever would be that the shower (as you’d expect anyway) was very fiddly. But, as I mentioned, what can you expect!
Had an amazing stay and was very very pleased by the service :)
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip 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 Helen Halim, Owner at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 17 July 2023
We want to thank you for your review. We look forward to looking after you again very soon.
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We were attending a wedding and found that most closer accommodation was booked out.
The motel has a lengthy driveway and overall is dated, probably having been built in the mid to late 1960s or very early 1970s.
The tariff of more than A$200 was expensive given it wasn't two bedrooms. However it was Saturday night, peak period for accommodation.
Our standalone unit had a Queen bed in a bedroom (with a step up from ground level) and a camp bed in the general living area. Bedding was OK. The heating was just enough: not 21st century standard, and for instance not wonderful natural gas to which I'm acquainted.
The grounds are attractive with many trees. No doubt there's wildlife abounding, such as Crimson or perhaps Eastern Rosellas.
The kitchen was well stocked, but like the rest of the place, could do with a major renovation to bring it up to 21st century standards. Like many Australian motels, the fixtures and fittings remain as original.
There was no noise during the night, a bonus.
The shower was basic but worked fine. The mini bathroom was similarly just with the necessities and nothing more. From memory the amount of shelf space was poor.
There was no undercover parking for our vehicle.
We had minimal interaction with the lady but she was pleasant.
It wasn't clear if the breakfast was free but I assumed not, as that's normal for Oz motels. It was available in the main building on the first floor if I recall, but we did not avail.
Overall, adequate but not sufficient, something shared with many other motels because it doesn't seem economic to upgrade them, unlike say city hotels in Australia and many other nations.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
My family had a great stay at the Sanctuary House Resort Motel. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the staff was friendly and accommodating. The location was quiet and quite serene, and being so close to bird sanctuary helps as well!! One of the highlights especially for our child was the beautiful bush walk—peaceful, well-maintained, and a great way to enjoy nature. The outdoor pool was also a fantastic bonus—clean, refreshing, and perfect for unwinding after a long day. I see some people have had mixed experiences with the restaurant, but us personally enjoyed the vintage-esque vibe. We ordered parmas and a fish and chips, all of which came at a reasonable time and tasted wonderful. We would definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
Ate at the hotel restaurant last night and had one of the most delicious meals for ages. Chris the very talented chef used local produce from the area cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. My husband and I eat at some of Melbourne's top restaurants for work etc and we were so delighted with the food, quality service and local wine options as well as the very reasonable prices.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
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 Helen Halim, Owner at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 21 Mar 2022
We are very happy to hear that you had a memorable evening with us and thank you for your lovely feedback. We look forward to seeing you again at our venue very soon!
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Fantastic service from the moment you walk in, our children were unsure of what to drink but the server conviced them to try some 'jungle juice' the kind that Tarzan drink. Children loved it.
Food was mouth watering, especially the home made ice cream.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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 Helen Halim, Owner at Sanctuary House Resort Motel
Responded 22 Oct 2023
Thank you for your great review. We really enjoyed looking after you and look forward to seeing you again soon.
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Yes, breakfast is available daily from 8-10am. You have a choice of continental or cooked breakfast. You can book breakfast at check in.
Thank you for your interest in Sanctuary House.
There are more places to choose from in the Healesville area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$134 - AU$204 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sanctuary hotel healesville, sanctuary motel healesville
LOCATION
AustraliaVictoriaYarra ValleyHealesville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
23
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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