Villa Howden Reviews

We were on our honeymoon and this villa was absolutely Devine! Straight out of a story book beautiful! The staff and our room were 5 stars. The breakfast included was also generous and gourmet delicious. Already planning our return for the one year anniversary!

My girlfriend likes this hotel very much, but it doesn’t have a 24-hour check-in. Breakfast is a bit early and there are mosquitoes in the room, but the castle and the environment are worth staying.

Nice room, adequate heating, average breakfast

Disappointing experience. We were looking forward to our stay but the place is run down and cold. The lady at the front desk was friendly, our room lovely but old and needing an update, the dinner and breakfast disappointing and tasteless with a very long wait and there was only another couple staying so definitely not busy. We stayed 2 nights and ended stopping off at the supermarket to buy dinner the second night as we were not going to spend the money to eat at the restaurant again. We asked for the fire to be started in the fireplace but the lady had no idea how to start it. The grounds were unkept and our whole experience was terrible.

I had the most wonderful, revitalising and beautiful stay at Villa Howden. The host was delightful. She could not have done more to make my stay perfect. It was so peaceful and luxurious and unexpected. The building, the decor, the location - everything about this place is delightful and all this time I had no idea it was right on my doorstep! I will be recommending this place to all my friends and family. Whether, like me, you are looking for some solitude to recharge the old batteries, or a couple looking for a magical place to connect and unwind, or you're planning a big event (as a wedding venue it would be such fun!), I can not speak more highly of Villa Howden. A quirky, classy, special little piece of paradise.

Could have been so good Maybe 3 stars, at a stretch. What could have been!! This place has been run into the ground. Cold cooked breakfasts. You pay extra for coffee, old saggy mattress. Curtains in taters. No working smoke alarms ! Untrained staff couldn't even light a fire. The breakfast room was like an ice box. Won't be back, that's for sure

We booked the restaurant for a special dinner celebration in May. We were not hotel guests. When I called to book a table, the person who answered the phone was unsure as she had to speak to the chef and she was going to call me back. She did not call me back. So I called again the next day and got a confirmation of a table. When we went to the restaurant, it was so cold we had to keep our coats on the whole time. There was no one in the restaurant. The appetiser and dessert were excellent but the main was below par. After appetiser, the waitress who was the receptionist, just dropped 2 sets of cutlery for the next course on our table.I felt like we were at a cheap dining place. Service was poor. I’m sure the rooms are excellent.

Such a nice find, my room was $400 for a night and felt like I got a bargain. It’s beautifully located and easy to find. This would easily be a 5 star luxury if some investment took place. Fix the fountain, a tiny bit of patron attention and you would fill this place every night. Use local products and promote your neighbours. You have fantastic cider all around, yet none in your fridge. Overall I still think it’s a great place.

I loved the vibe of this place- the location and aesthetic was fabulous. The fixtures all seem to have been imported from Provence and the food was delish. My only gripe (so 4 stars not 5) was that there was one teenager on duty the whole evening, and it was only the poor girl’s second day working in hospitality. Still she kept with it and even did a YouTube tutorial before making us (phenomenal) cocktails. The rooms aren’t cheap and having a competent adult around to help and train her would have been kind. Still, a glorious escape and a great place to stay on the Channel.

Unfortunately this property no longer has the essence of it's pre-COVID life, and seems to be trading off it's former glory. More 3-star than it's advertised 5-star rating. The good: Employees were friendly and working hard to run the venue (often 1 person on shift at a time) - reception, bar and dining area. It is a beautiful, small (10 rooms) establishment with some nice features - good photo opportunities, if that is your thing. The not-so-good: The one staff person who was busy at times, understandably pre-occupied with other guests. Upkeep and maintenance seems not to have occurred since it's foreign owners took over several years ago. Suitcase and scuff marks on walls; cobwebs in corners; dismal looking water feature; the mattress while soft, had defined sagging from years of wear. The ok: Dining - the dinner menu provided 3 main course options [no vegetarian option] (both our eye fillet and salmon were well prepared, though the duck fat potatoes would have benefited from further roasting and it would have been nice to see some greens on the plate); oysters for entree, and the desserts were enjoyable. Breakfast (included in room rate) was modest in proportion though sufficient, however the barista coffee ($5 extra) was not drinkable. The highly chlorinated pool was a perfect temperature to enjoy an afternoon swim - the attached bathroom facilities were uncleaned. Bathroom amenities were basic with one thin bath towel per person provided - additional available upon request. The communal lounge areas have some lovely pieces of furniture on which to sit and enjoy a cocktail (if ingredients are available) - however the main area would benefit from airing, as the smell of smoke lingers from winter's fires.

As soon as we arrived we knew it was a mistake. Nothing looks like the website photos - everything is in need of a major renovation. Cheap furniture, peeling paint, wifi not working, cracks in all the walls, one person trying to run the entire hotel. Our room was very disappointing - apparently only one room in the hotel has a tub and view ( the one featured on the website). The pool has water in the chlorine. Feels more like a cheap motel than the luxury villa shown online. Trying to find alternative accommodations now...

We had read the reviews, and were concerned about what sort of experience we would have - expecting Faulty Towers, and something derelict. We didn't know if we would laugh or cry? We were there for a birthday getaway, and enjoyed our time to unwind. Having been to France and Provence, the accommodation was beautiful and we loved the style, as in France they also do not offer lifts to the higher floors. Wow, the chandeliers are gorgeous. Yes, the building has some wear and tear; if you look for the negatives, you will always find some. Each room has a French name to give it more personality. We stayed in room # 5- La poule doree, which had a cute balcony with a garden view. As there was snow on the mountain, the room and king-size bed were warm and cosy, and the open fireplace was blazing in the lounge room. The salmon dinner and chocolate lava cake were yummy, and breakfast in the atrium, with views to the garden, was generous and filling. The walk to the lake edge was stunning and was rich with birdlife, black swans, cockatoos, and rosellas. The whole place was very calm and tranquil. It is a beautiful place to reset, and walking tracks are close by. The staff were friendly and thoughtful, especially Nina at reception and the housekeeper, Sonia, who added a personal touch to our visit.

Positives: Beautiful building in a lovely quiet location Large, spacious and clean room and bathroom If any issues are raised, they are dealt with very apologetically Grateful for a packed breakfast on the last morning, as we were leaving before anyone arrived for the day Appeared very clean and tidy throughout with a French-style decor About 15-20 easy drive from Hobart Negatives: Room was not as stunning as the pictures suggest - pretty, but not 'wow' We had no curtains on 4 windows - the main front light shone into the room and if you were in the shower, the room opposite had a free show! No lifts and precarious staircases No-one to help with luggage Super small TV that was not much bigger than my laptop screen! Hard to get someone to answer the phone at reception - either before arrival or when you are staying There is no aircon - it did not bother us as it was winter, but worth noting if visiting in summer The main part of the building is freezing cold - the staff were wearing overcoats to serve, which did not look professional at all, but completely understood why they did as it was less than 10 degrees in the restaurant area Breakfast was stone cold and had to be sent back (only 3 other people staying, so not busy) Breakfast included baked beans but we were given a serving of just 9 baked beans.... There are just 2 young Asian girls running the 'hotel' - they work crazy hours and seem to do everything from check-in, to waitressing, cooking and possibly make the rooms up too!! The 'hotel' main door is locked at 9.30pm and we were essentially left alone in the building all night Key information not provided on check-in - ie breakfast runs from 7.45am to 9.15am only or info on wi-fi We don't recall any fire evacuation details in the room (but maybe we missed it?). We could not find any emergency contact details either in the room if something happened at night We had to remind the staff we had a Luxury Escapes package to get the basket of produce and a free drink AND..... think about bringing your own towels! They have a policy of charging $50 if you get any make-up on the white towels!! Fortunately we saw this and used the make-up remover they had in the bathroom but we were so paranoid of getting any marks on anything!!! We suggest they have darker coloured towels because we felt this was a ridiculous rule when you pay so much to stay in the first place. Would we stay again? No. We left feeling stressed and not at all relaxed, It is not a 5 star location at all - just a lovely 'home' that is more akin to a boutique B&B. We considered eating dinner but with just 3 mains to choose from, we couldn't justify the cost at all. Overall, the villa needs some maintenance and with the 2 young girls run off their feet, we're not sure how this will ever be done. It could be so much better. We were slightly disappointed as this had been a weekend to celebrate my husband's birthday!

We booked through luxury escapes and upgraded to what was supposed to be a king room but it wasn’t. No lift and we were on top floor 😳. No air conditioning but a small fan in room. Doors to little “balcony” opened but no fly wire. The views and garden are wonderful, the place has great potential. Breakfast, included was great and the staff, although they struggling, were lovely. They have a policy of charging $100 if you get make up on one of the rather cheap white linen towels. They told the people they were charging that a note was in the towel basket - we missed it as well???!