Villa Howden

The place was very peaceful, but almost like retirement home. No lunch menu. Dinner was set price $75 ppl which was high, and no1 there in 3 days we stayed. The room was very dated, and is at least $15-35 uber to get to nearest restraunt.
No massage options for romantic place and just fell well short of the advertised marketing experience.
No bath tub as in picture.
Very disappointing

On arrival, first impressions are good. The place itself is nicely located and the building certainly looks the part if you're seeking some above average accommodation. Inside is spacious and well kept but feels a little empty and under-furnished lending a somewhat cold and austere aspect. The room was pleasant but the bed needed some attention as springs could be felt in the old mattress and you could bottom-out the mattress just by sitting down on it with moderate force - 'clunk'. But still we had comfortable stay in the room. We didn't have dinner there so can't comment but the breakfast was adequate if uninspiring and was a missed opportunity by the hotel to make a good final impression on guests before they check-out.

Terrible sums it up well I think.

We were there for high tea. A group of 16 for what was meant to be a special 80th Birthday celebration.

The service was slow to non existent. We waited a good 45min to have tea/coffee delivered to the table, then another good 40min before the food was out of course by then the tea was cold and coffee all gone. Not once did anyone come and see if we needed anything.

The food, was terrible. Hard dry and what I think were meant to be scones were not very nice.
1 finger food size sandwich with dry bread, only option tuna. 1 crusty salmon biscuit thing. 1 choc covered strawberry, 1 biscuit, 1 strange small cake and a small custard tart. No pastry or anything remotely filling.
At a very high price of $49 per person, we expected a lot more and much better quality.

We would not recommend, take your had earned money somewhere else.

Staff had very limited communication due to their limited English which made things quite difficult and service was just non existent.
Room was very nice but hats where it ended
Food was less than average and very limited

Problems from the outset - when I rang to confirm booking, we were booked into a lower grade room than we had paid for. Given conflicting information about both why and alternatives. Checkin delayed while one staff member saw out a large party of guests. Despite its luxury billing, the room we were offered as an upgrade to compensate for stuffing up our booking, lacked proper heating and the bed had a 20cm thick mattress which was too uncomfortable to sleep on. Given an alternative room - partial water views, no French opening doors or private balcony despite booking a water view villa. Shower curtain, no screen; no marble vanity - indeed nowhere to put toiletries - suite clearly designed for disabled access with toilet rail and shower chair. Bed head was painted on the wall! Immediately adjacent to the room were the public toilets and 3 meters from our door was a food preparation area. The shower had two settings - scalding hot or freezing cold and alternated between both. Breakfast was simply inedible. The grounds were unkempt with weeds growing in pots on the public terrace the windows of our room looked onto. There was a general air of neglect. There were insufficient staff and several struggled to understand English. We had booked for 3 nights but left after one. Will never return

The decor and location is all that this place had going for it, unfortunately. We were so disappointed by the experience, little felt truly luxurious or boutique about it. The breakfast was one of the worst meals we've ever had, while the overall experience felt cheap and massively underwhelming. Such a shame, as it could be fabulous, but very little to redeem it (from the fridge in the room being off, to battery-operated candles with no battery power, to polite but ineffective customer service).

If you, like us, have romantic notions of arriving into your room and throwing open the windows to enjoy fresh air and the garden or water views from your room.check which room you have before arriving. If you’re in room 9 (or 10) cancel.

The room is not what we booked, it’s more akin to a motel room. What one can only assume was a garage converted into two rooms with doors on to the driveway, next to the car park with no character. People peering into your room while you’re changing or resting, unable to open the door or windows with cars driving in and out, and the noise of people walking around above you.

Then there’s the poor service. Requested a massage and receptionist said they’d come back with times (which I actually wouldn’t have bothered with anyway given our somewhat public room), but we never heard from the receptionist again, an hour to wait for anyone to take our order at breakfast, an empty restaurant with no atmosphere for dinner.

In all, extremely disappointing.

We stay in the tower suite for our 25th anniversary. The suite was truly exceptional quality with wonderful views, very romantic! The heated pool was very enjoyable. The cosy fire place in the main area was very enjoyable and gave a great atmosphere. A truly 5 start boutique hotel!

Unfortunately, the service as not as you would expect for a 5 stars accommodation. Reception and restaurant staff unfortunately possess only broken English and they had difficulties taking our hotel booking, restaurant order and answer simple questions at the restaurant. The food was adequate but not exceptional. The meals portions were too small and we were unfortunately left hungry after both dinner and breakfast.

I would recommend improving their service for allowing return customers.

We enjoyed most of our stay. The room was very elegant. We were very disappointed that the kitchen was closed and we could not have the dinner included in our booking. Also the entrance was very dangerous for getting in and out.

Sara and her staff ensured that every aspect of our stay was first class. Villa Howden provided us with a truly memorable weekend.

Had a wonderful stay overnight, enjoyed the food, the presentation and the service. The staff could not have been more helpful. Villa Howden has its own extraordinary ambience that contributed significantly to our experience. Highly recommended. We look forward to our next visit!

What amazing hospitality we experience with Sara and the team at Villa Howden. My kids and I were out exploring Tasmania during winter and we were honestly treated like royalty. The lounge facilities were amazing (roaring fire, library, chess set) and the staff were divine. Breakfast was wonderful and warm. The pool was a delight for the kids. And honestly - we just felt like we were in Tuscany without leaving our lovely safe state. Bravo Villa Howden - we cannot wait to come back! Tassie's best kept secret.xx

Stay at Villa Howden, was a dream come true.the warm cozy, luxurious furniture makes you fee like your living a fairy tale dream. The ambient was memorable for many years to come.the natures air an greenery that surrounds you is medicine for the soul. I was fortunate enough to enhance these beautiful sites and it miracle sly released a lot off stress of my chest. It was extremely therapeutic, high recommend it for all souls wanting peace an rest within the mind an body. Villa Howden expressed an accomplished a high grade of satisfaction in every way, proving capability to go above an beyond.their nurture in customer service is what makes this pace feel like home. The atmosphere, the food the whole package is one that will make you definitely crave for more. The cleanness of rooms, towels sanitary area was exceptional an showed amazing ethics in regards to OHS standards. The food was delicious an fresh. Their whole service was amazingly trained. Villa Howden, your are very blessed with everything you have to offer. Your hotel, service an location are superb for every soul. WHATEVER my need was during my stay Villa Howden ensured it was accessible. My stay has touched so many hearts an memories to come. I look forward to staying their again in the near future. You service was a fairy tale miracle that actually came true.

We had high tea here and loved it!
The service second to none - very attentive and friendly.
The food was delicious and one of the best high teas we have ever had
The venue itself is beautiful and a great place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea

Not luxury as advertised. Villa is in need of maintenance. Our room had large cracks around the window. The grounds are neglected and nothing like the photos on the website. There was an outdoor setting with two empty champagne bottles on the ground that stayed there the whole 5 days we were at the Villa. The breakfast menu was very stingy, not what you would expect at luxury accommodation, choices limited to “or” and the eggs Benedict eggs were over cooked. Restaurant was not open every night (which was not advised on the website) and only two options on the set menu. I ordered Tasmanian salmon and was served a small overcooked piece served with tasteless fettuccine. I couldn’t eat it. Dessert was the only decent course. The only positive thing about Villa Howden were the staff. They were very good and friendly. The decor of the public areas was nice and it would have been a lovely place in its heyday. Compared to other places we have stayed at it was a big disappointment especially as we had booked it to celebrate a special occasion

My boyfriend and I cannot believe how wonderful of an experience we had at Villa Howden. We were not used to such kind, professional and accommodating staff looking after us for check-in and out, breakfast and tea by the fire. The location was perfect- secluded but only a short 15 minute drive form Hobart CBD. It was breathtaking and our view of the lake was priceless. The food was delicious as was the coffee and tea we had each morning. The pool overlooked the lake and we never had to share with anyone because it was so calm and quiet, attracting couples rather than families. There was ample parking on the grounds, complimentary wine and cookies at your disposal, our beds were made daily and complimentary bottles of water replenished too. We could not fault the beautiful villa and will definitely be back the next time we visit Tasmania!

WOW. OMG.are the first phrases that comes to mind.
Well worth the water view suites. You won't be disappointed
Lux plus.
Go on. Ur worth it.
Sometimes just live the dream

.

In a nutshell we found it very special and a great place for romance.
Tim and Deb Crawshaw.
-The Bay of Fires Walk For Spiritual Seekers, Tasmania.

Not worth the price. We got a pretty decent discount through a groupon and it was still not worth it. My theory is that whoever designed and built it initially was passionate, and the current proprietors just bought it and are keeping it going with the bare minimum of maintenance. The gardens around the buildings are thoroughly neglected.
The restaurant was closed for dinner, even though their website stated differently. Breakfast was very subpar: small range of options, overcooked eggs, tiny portions.
Staff was friendly and nice, but not trained very well. They didn't seem very capable of manning their bar for instance.

The calmness. The serenity. The little touches. The friendliness. The beautiful food and wine. A beautiful place to stay with your loved one. Very special. Just wish I'd booked 2 nights to really relax for longer and have time to enjoy the pool and another tranquil night looking over the bay.