Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa descritpion

On a beautiful award-winning vineyard, the Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa has luxurious Yarra Valley accommodations. Facilities include a cellar door (wine store), restaurant, day spa and indoor swimming pool.
Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort features modern rooms and suites, each with free internet access, cable TV and air conditioning. Suites with a spa tub, kitchenette and Yarra Valley views are available.
Featuring views of the vineyard, Rae's Restaurant serves a seasonal menu of French-influenced modern Australian cuisine, with Balgownie Estate wines to complement the meal.
Guests receive access to a fitness center, sauna, tennis courts and Balgownie Estate’s stylish cellar door. Natskin Spa Retreat has luxurious beauty and spa treatments including massage therapies and body treatments.
Yarra Valley Balgownie Estate Resort is a 1-hour drive from Melbourne. Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary is only a 20-minute drive away.

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Facilities of Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace | Sun Deck

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Buffet-Style Restaurant

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Reviews for Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

Review 1：The set menu for a 2 or 3 course meal at the restaurant, didn't really feel like 2 meals!

Review 2：Loved the pool area, nice relaxing music! Free upgraded room was great too! Beautiful views and lovely luxurious resort.

Review 3：Resturant was fully booked due to peak season which is understandable so we ordered room service. I have to say the pizza was the worst we have ever had. Best to go into Healsville for food which is 10 minutes drive away. Room wasn't clean and had a mouldy smell.

Review 4：Location was great, bed was really comfortable. Pool and steam room lovely after travelling. View of the gardens and rabbits of an evening was lovely. Room was quite big.

Review 5：The rooms look a bit worn out..

Review 6：Beautiful grounds,beautiful spot. Great wine tasting- the guys at the tasting were great.The restaurant a bit pretentious for what it is.

Review 7：Rang and confirmed transfers to the wedding venue the day before staff said all organised on arrival they said transfer there get a taxi back we asked them to organise taxi they said they had no taxi arrived we were stranded there for forty odd minutes until the local mini bus came by . Don't promise something you won't supply and staff didn't give a care just call your own

Review 8：Venue food wine great

Review 9：The bed is too sinky and soft. This is my 5th stay here and the beds have always been uncomfortably soft. Rae's restaurant was an extremely disappointing experience with sub-standard food and poor service. This is contrary to previous experiences at the restaurant.

Review 10：The estate is well placed to explore the Yarra Valley and the rooms are beautifully appointed and quite luxurious. We had all we needed for a lovely stay, including being able to make our own cooked breakfast.

Review 11：This was our second visit, one of the highlights during our previous stay being dinner at the restaurant. This time however, we were a bit disappointed with the quality of the food. It seemed like they'd cut corners.

Review 12：Great Wine and lovely staff at the restaurant. beautiful property.

Review 13：No bath, poor quality tv, restaurant food was average, shower gels/shampoos were not replenished. Breakfast not included.

Review 14：Nice but too expensive. Comfortable bed. Beautiful gardens.

Review 15：the staff were not very welcoming and did not give out any information about breakfast or the other facilities available at the hotel. We had booked three double rooms (family rooms) but they were all booked at different ends of the resort and they didn't explain clearly why they had booked the three rooms so far from each other. They were clearly busy with a number of people waiting to check in and the phone ringing.

Review 16：The room was spacious, clean and comfortable. The view from the balcony and the hotel grounds are very pretty.

Review 17：Restaurant did not make any effort to accommodate request submitted weeks earlier for a table by the window as we were celebrating an anniversary. The staff member taking us to the table was rather flippant about such a table not presently being available too..

Review 18：Picturesque location, spacious comfortable room, restaurant on site with great food.

Review 19：Had to wait for 40 minutes for the room to be ready, although we arranged a 1 hour earlier check in weeks before our stay.

Review 20：Lovely grounds, close to local attractions. Very comfortable and spacious. Pleasant staff.

Review 21：Too big an enterprise -a little impersonal

Review 22：Well located in the Yarra Valley -close to other wineries and Healesville and Yarra Glen. Restaurant was booked out due to lack of availability in the area during the Christmas break.

Review 23：The cleanliness! For a hotel at that scale, I don't want to see hair in the shower, smeared glass doors, and most importantly, clean everything I pull out of the cabinet again because glasses have lipstick on them...cups coffee residual...and forks being still wet from a sloppy rinse. The restaurant was just okay. The first night they ran out of 3 main dishes, with only 8 dishes available. Staff was disorganised and it took 25 minutes to even get a glass of wine, then over an hour before we had the starter. Food was not bad but I would except much more for the price and location. Breakfast was disappointing with little variety. The next day we tried to get to town, but taxis are unlikely to come out there...we waited 1.5 hours with no availability. This is not the hotel's fault of course, just something to keep in mind. You will be pretty much stuck there for every meal, and it's just not that great.

Review 24：The staff was friendly (when available). The wines were good, and were offered as part of the mini bar. Great for sitting on the balcony. The pool and gym. The rooms are spacious and the bed was very comfy.

Review 25：The hotel reception staff present when we arrived was very unwelcoming, and did not have the level of experience expected for a vineyard resort and spa. The staff's attitude and caliber are an imperative part of an experience, and this was definitely lacking during our stay.

Review 26：The property location and views are lovely. This is a great location in the Yarra Valley, with the convenience of a cellar door and restaurant adjoining the property. We stayed in the Privilege Spa Suite which is relatively spacious, clean and had beautiful views of the estate gardens and Yarra Valley from the balcony.

Review 27：No breakfast included for price we paid No stove to cook anything Nothing to dry dish with or on Swimming pool wasn't heated Weird smell outside room Staff not overly helpful.

Review 28：Spa bath Swimming pool Large lounge Large bedroom

Review 29：We dined in t restaurant n t overall experience was just so so. Our wines were served after our course. We tried to b patient to wait for a while but no staff noticed until we voiced out. On t second course no one even asked us for another pairing wines. I believe staff can b more attentive

Review 30：T view was excellent

Review 31：Room was beautiful and clean and the view is spectacular. You can enjoy several glasses of wine and walk from your room to the day spa, pool or restaurant.

Review 32：not all reception staff were well trained and there was obvious billing errors (repeat charging) on final bill which went unnoticed by them

Review 33：Beautiful surroundings, well maintained facilities

Review 34：No wifi

Review 35：We were pleasantly surprised with the cost. The room was magnificent. The toiletries and everything we're beautiful. The bed and pillows were like sleeping on a cloud.

Review 36：The only bad thing we can say it was not long enough would have loved to of stayed a week.

Review 37：Could not fault anything had a very pleasant stay great location this was our second stay we are sure there will be more .

Review 38：the air conditioner in the room is a big unit, very loud, starting and stopping at random times, it woke us up multiple times during the night. I couldn't get the hair dryer working.

Review 39：fairly central location, skin care supply was great.

Review 40：The Restaurant & food was only reasonable and aimed for Corporate and Functions. Needs to have a Menu also for up-market selection.

Review 41：The Accommodation was excellent, and the surrounding gardens & walks etc. Also the staff

Review 42：Pretty annoying that management eventually called the police at 2.30am to tell us to go to sleep

Review 43：We thoroughly enjoyed partying all night, being drunk and keeping other guests awake with our noise, swearing and laughter. Management pretty much ignored us and despite complaints from other residents, we ignored them and kept on partying.

Review 44：The swimming pool was a bit old and not very well maintained. There were dead insects in the pool and a couple of the jets were broken.

Review 45：Staff were great, stunning views and a very clean and comfortable room.

Review 46：Restaurant service and food is below the general level. Food was overcooked, young waiters are inexperienced. Red wine serving tempetaure was awful - i think it was +20 or more. Gym very small.

Review 47：Everything in accomodation and yard. NIce big room with superior bath. Spa is small, but good

Review 48：One slight improvement could be to be a little more insistent on energy minimisation. Outdoor temp. was perfect while we were there, 12-25C days. No need for aircon in such weather but I noted several units ran the aircon continuously, presumably because it was there. Possibly introduce a temp. override switch which isolates the aircon when room temp is 18-23C?

Review 49：Brilliant setting with great views of the Dandenong Ranges and the City at night. Staff couldn't have been more helpful or friendly, especially the young lady in the Wine Cellar. Very spacious & comfortably furnished room, quiet and good natural light.

Review 50：If I had any one thing not to standard was the coffee at breakfast . Easily solved by buying one at the bar . Problem solved .

Review 51：That there was no need to leave the property once you arrive . Every staff member was great . Overall experience brilliant .

Review 52：Breakfast did not allow for only a coffee & toast at a lower cost. Dinner was very good, drinks took awhile coming, not asked if we would like side dishes. Noisy at 1am one night.

Review 53：Accommodation great & clean. Natskin spar facility wonderful. Wine tasting very informative and very friendly. This is our 5th time here.

Review 54：NONE!

Review 55：The room was comfortable with a scenic view of the hillside. The food at the restaurant was incredible and the staff were amazing! The spa was to die for! I'd highly recommend this place to anyone. What a relaxing weekend :)

Review 56：It was unfortunate that there was a power cut ( almost all day)on the one full day we were there, so we were unable to enjoy the room and facilities. We realised it was not the hotel's fault, but we did feel they were not sympathetic to our predicament and offered no gesture of compensation.

Review 57：Location, room and restaurant. Amazing views and super well appointed room. Loved the spa bath.

Review 58：The curtain in the spa was very stained .

Review 59：The walks,views the very helpful and pleasant staff made our stay a joy. We were also very impressed with the planting near our rooms.

Review 60：I was disappointed I had to park the car so far away from the room-especially when I had high heels on. !!!! I also thought breakfast could have been included as the room tariff is quite high.

Review 61：Lack of options for dinner other than the restaurant menu, food was brilliant but wouldn't mind something light in the bar some evenings after a day's wine tasting!

Review 62：Location, staff and affordability

Review 63：The only thing would be the louver window in bathroom when opened was filthy cobwebs, spiders, flys and dirt so we just closed it up again, everything else was beautiful.

Review 64：Had a lovely time, views were amazing, we were well looked after, staff wonderful, left us a bottle of champagne and a card on arrival as it was our anniversary ?

Review 65：The restaurant was a let down - we had a bad experience with the very poor level of service on Sat 31.10.

Review 66：Rooms were clean and spacious. Staff at reception were fantastic.

Review 67：Pricey breakfast, so we skipped it.

Review 68：Location was good. Cellar door was staffed by lovely people. There are activities around that you can do. We just did a scenic walk around the too of the property capturing a great view.

Review 69：Beautiful room, great view, large and comfortable, grounds and gardens were lovely and well maintained Great breakfast, good room service options for dinner

Review 70：Quite noisey , being in downstairs apartment Close to walkway people coming and going with luggage .

Review 71：Lovely rooms , loved the steam room and swim spa . Breakfast was to die for with excellent coffee .

Review 72：Didn't like the fact that we only stayed one night! If we stayed at least two nights we could've enjoyed more of what the resort had to offer!

Review 73：This was my husband's and my first night away from our baby boy so was a beautifully relaxing location with comfortable rooms.

Review 74：Fantastic stay....booked a 2 nights stay and the hotel upgraded us to a one bedroom suite to enhance our comfort .. nice quite with great facilities.... steam room, nice gym to work out in the nice cold weather... Restaurant is posh looking with great wines.... food on average and the view is breathe taking.... I would definitely be back with my partner next time.....

Review 75：The restaurant is very expensive and not great value for money as you are locked into a 2 or 3 course menu / price. The food was very good though and we could see the new chef was trying to make a mark as a food destination in the region. We also had a table near us that were very loud (drunk) which was a shame! Previous visits to the restaurant were more enjoyable...

Review 76：Beautiful views over the valley, great room and spa.

Review 77：Our room was probably not up to standard in regards to cleanliness. The spa bath was still quite dirty and found a long black hair on our window shelf and also all over the hair dryer. A bit of dust elsewhere also in the room.

Review 78：Amidst the rolling green hills of the Yarra Valley is the beautiful Balgownie Estate. Perched atop a hillside overlooking vineyards with numerous birds singing the day away it's impossible to not enjoy yourself here. Incredibly helpful staff - I checked in late and got the same level of attention i would if it was in the morning. Beauty with a smile to boot. The cuisine offered at the restaurant really completed the experience nicely. The rooms had everything you could ever need and were creatively laid out with keeping the views of the valley accessible. All encompassing luxury and class in the Yarra!

Review 79：Not enough info about heater, being patient whilst not knowing if the system is changing settings is not satisfactory. A more comprehensive set of instructions needed.

Review 80：Very friendly staff, lovely clean rooms. High level of attention to detail. Natskin spa excellent.

Review 81：The staff were very helpful and friendly, at the hotel, the cellar door and restaurant. The grounds were beautiful with a spectacular view and it felt close to plenty of other places that we wanted to visit.

Review 82：Nothing - everything was beyond our expectation!

Review 83：Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa was absolutely amazing! We only stayed the night but it was the best night of our holiday. The room was clean, spacious with great views. The staff was courteous and accommodating. The restaurant was also a great experience with fresh food and lovely wine. I highly recommend the resort and will definitely come back!

Review 84：View from our balcony was a car park that needed cleaning up. looked visually average. tvs and remote controls need updating Massage centre was very expensive compared to city pricing

Review 85：Location

Review 86：The room (308) was very low quality with damages (missing wardrobe door), unclean, broken telephone. Very small and cramped with one small corner window looking onto other people's balconies. Very disappointed for the cost of accomodation amd was expecting much better.

Review 87：The location of this hotel is fantastic as were the staff who helped us to cancel our accomodation once we expressed our dissatisfaction with the room.

Review 88：Loved having cellar door, restaurant and day spa all in the one place - particularly so that the designated driver could enjoy it. Great wines, and lovely fire in the restaurant.

Review 89：Experience Pool didn't work - no signage to tell you, had to press every spa jet button and then call reception to find out it was under maintenance. The bed had a hard lump in the middle (I think there were two beds together that didn't match). Breakfast looked ok, but wasn't overally tasty.

Review 90：Room was incredible, view and location superb. Staff were incredibly accomodating and friendly

Review 91：Some of the equipment in the spa area did not work/very well.

Review 92：The girl who gave us a wine tasting was fantastic. She knew her stuff about wine but was also happy to have a good chat with us. Can't remember her name sorry.

Review 93：We loved the room and especially the amazing view of the Yarra Valley that we had from our balcony. Also, John at the cellar door who looked after us whilst wine tasting was fantastic, very knowledgable and accomodating with all our beginner wine drinker type of questions.

Review 94：The beds were very poor. Quite simply the 'queen bed' was two single beds pushed together. So you need to sleep in them like two single beds. We both woke up with sore backs. Then on the Monday morning we woke up to the sound of some loud banging and hammering above us (must have been some maintenance going on). For such a highly rated place you really need better beds. I couldn't wait to get home and sleep on my own bed. :-/

Review 95：Great location. Food was good. Plenty of access to all of the wonderful attractions of the Yarra valley.

Review 96：We booked for three nights as we were getting married in the Yarra Valley. The staff were more than accomodating. The Balgownie Upgraded us and our family at no charge. The rooms were fantastic especially the directors suite. Would definitely stay they again.

Review 97：Bed was way too soft. We both woke up with very sore backs. Thankfully we had a massage treatment booked for one of the mornings.

Review 98：Lovely staff. Nice restaurant, great wines

Review 99：No wifi - critical when reception is low. Spa/Sauna were facilities not functioning during our visit

Review 100：Location and surrounds were great! The free on-site wine tasting an added bonus.

Review 101：We were a little disappointed in the snack meal selection for a light evening meal. Breakfast was nothing special, and we were disappointed that there was not more offered for the cost.

Review 102：Our studio spa room could not be faulted, so comfortable with everything we could want.

Review 103：when we checked in we got a really bad room with no view, no interenet ( although the hotel was not full and lots of good rooms available, We had paid for a good room with spa. then they were very good to move us to good room with excellent views and internet connection

Review 104：Loved the rooms, spa, location and beauty of the place. We had dinner and it was fantastic, great service and great food

Review 105：Box with half eaten pizza left in room .staff did remedy mishap quickly and gave us bottle of their wine

Review 106：Location,proximity to Yarra Glen. spabox in unit

Review 107：Unfortunately the hydro spa jets were not working & could't get the steam room to work, frustrating after a hard swim.Aircon/heating too noisy at night to sleep so we had to turn it off.

Review 108：Beautiful resort very private balconies, gorgeous gardens spectacular views.Loved the swim pool with the swim spa jets doing swim strokes in the one spot fantastic.....I want one.

Review 109：Facilities: swimming pool was not working with the jacuzzi buttons, breakfast was cold, steak order of medium well were cooked as well done. Although waiter apologised with a free dessert,we hardly ate our steak.

Review 110：Cleanliness, safety and professional image of hotel.

Review 111：No advice or written info that the mattress in room 402 is two(2) single mattresses pushed together. Whilst they were comfortable it's not what a couple want. Reception should inform guests of this. A mattress 'topper' could improve this along with informing guests. Spa and restaraunt staff were very young which I'm supportive of if they are polished and professional. Female restaraunt attendant on Monday morn(10/8/2015) was grumpy and not very welcoming.

Review 112：Loved the location and setting.

Review 113：We had an evening meal at Rae's Restaurant and we were most disappointed with the quality(inexperience) of the staff and the general atmosphere in the room. It appeared the older person in charge was not easy to work for and this impacted on the confidence of the workers. My wife asked for a steak that was medium and she had to leave at least a third as it was not cooked. Not a good experience. The evening menu and cost of it was not good value for money. I would not recommend anyone I know to dine in the area. We had lunch at another venue and the dining experience was great. Perhaps you should get some pointers from other venues in the valley.

Review 114：Room where we sleep was very dark and dingy looking. Would have loved the bedroom to have the view out the window of the grounds.

Review 115：Loved the view and the restaurant was very accommodating. Also the massage facilities on grounds were fantastic!!

Review 116：wish we had could have stayed longer.

Review 117：Room was excellent. Very impressive. Restaurant dinner was fabulous. Wonderful location and very friendly staff. Will definitely return for a longer stay.

Review 118：King bed had some sort of divide- exceptionally hard and difficult to sleep on!

Review 119：Property was gorgeous- lots of walking trails etc around the region and the staff were lovely

Review 120：Quite a walk from our room to the spa especially at night when you're wet and cold. Then the heating in the room was broken. However offered us to change rooms and when we declined bought us a portable heater.

Review 121：Initially we got a room with no view and it was disappointing as I was showing my friend from Queensland the estate and yarra valley. We let the receptionist know and she upgrade us! The room and views were beautiful and we really appreciate this! Will definitely be back.

Review 122：The pool wasn't as described. Most of the jets did not work (I.e the spa chairs didn't work) and this was disappointing. Pool could have been a tad warmer for winter.

Review 123：The view from the balcony was amazing. The room was spacious, comfortable and we loved the spa in the room. The day spa and massages were also amazing.

Review 124：The heated pool was rather cold and many of the jets in the pool were not working at all. We had issues we the TV remotes in our room also so the bedroom TV was out of action

Review 125：The rooms were great (clean and welcoming) & and indoor pool and gym was a hit. The property is beautiful and the location was fantastic.

Review 126：The pool was slightly cold.

Review 127：We loved the location, we got a winter special offer so the room was half price, but they very kindly gave us a complimentary bottle of bubbles in our room on arrival! This was very kind. The staff and meal on both the tastings and restraunt were exceptional and we were very pleased with our meal, they even put us by the fire as it was a special day! Loved it.

Review 128：We were on our honeymoon but whe we got to our room it was set up as a twin room. We asked for it to be changed, which it was and then the staff brought us a complimentary bottle of sparkling. A nice gesture.

Review 129：beautiful views from our room. The food was great.

Review 130：Didn't like the soft bed though but it may be an Australian thing as all the hotels I had stayed in had soft bed. Those who has back problems should request for a harder mattress.

Review 131：The room is large and nice with a separate seating area. It has a balcony overlooking the vineyard which would have been nice if it was not too cold. Bathroom amenities were sufficient and of good quality.

Review 132：Our suite was clean, comfortable and spacious. The spa was a great way to relax after a long drive. Breakfast was excellent quality, selection and value.

Review 133：The power went out from 5.30pm with no communication what so ever from staff or management throughout the whole evening. No offer of candles etc. Went to restaurant, couldn't see a thing apart from the light from the candles and was very smoky as the extractor fans weren't working, very unpleasant as our eyes were stinging. Steak meal was dry. Service was great however. Earlier that afternoon we stood in the wine tasting room for 15 mins waiting to be served and were ignored by the one staff member who was speaking with other guests. We walked out and never tasted any wine. Even a hello would have been great. Upon check out, we were shocked to hear no mention of the power, no offer of a discount, no nothing, despite it being off until we went to bed. I told them I was not happy with paying full price to which they said they could give us a free night stay. We don't live in Australia so they begrudgingly wiped the fee of the room for the night. This was fantastic, but we were a little surprised we had to raise the power situation ourselves as it is a basic necessity.

Review 134：Comfy bed, comfy pillows, very very friendly staff member on reception gave us a brilliant map of the area and highlighted key sights.

Review 135：Movies didn't work. Food at restaurant was very mediocre. Only two towels (one each) and if in a 5star environment would like two, especially as spa encourages the use of water... no coffee perculator instructions and would have liked to use (which is pretty grand to have) but ended up wasting the shots in coffee frustration... lol. Lastly the sheets were so crisp, they rustled excessively making it hard to sleep.

Review 136：Original with the spa bath feature. Very clean and lovely outlook. Went for a glorious morning run in the country back road which was my personal highlight.

Review 137：No sound proofing between rooms. We were in a lower room and could hear every noise from above and beside us as well as all front doors closing all around us! Not very relaxing!!!

The Fine Print

Please note that there is a 2% surcharge when you pay with a credit card at the hotel.