Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

I specifically booked a room with a baby.
So Balgownie Estate decided to put me in the furthest room, right down the very back where I could not park close to the room. I was by myself with my baby and had no help to unload the car which would have taken about 5 trips from the car to the room (with a baby in my arms!) so I had to tell reception this is not ok and we need a closer room to the car park! The lady at reception was not helpful and was very rude. Only solution offered was to help carry stuff. No room swap?
Had to swap rooms with another guest we knew.
Also took them an hour to bring and setup a cot in our other room.
Would not recommend with a baby.

We were really looking forward to our relaxing stay at this venue. Especially as we had to cancel 12 months prior due to the pandemic.
All went well on our 1st night. However, on returning, late from dinner on our second night we discovered that there was no hot water.
A call to reception resulted in being asked to wait 10 minutes and try again? !
If still no hot water we were asked to get back in touch with reception.
Whatever happened to customer care and being proactive?
We tried calling twice, with no reply!
At approximately 10: 30 we had to walk down to reception to enquire as to what was happening.
When told there was no onsite maintenance we were curious to understand why we were asked to try again after 10 minutes?
To be fair, we were offered to move rooms but by this time we were tired and the last thing we wanted to do was pack and relocate.
The following morning we had to use another room to shower, prior to departing.
We were offered no compensation for our inconvenience and have sent not one but two email to express our dissatisfaction.
Neither email has received at least a simple response.
With a very disappointing attitude like this we would say the establishment needs to take a long hard look at itself and improve its customer care.

The restaurant itself was tucked inbetween rooms with no view.
The food was ok. The smoked meat platter was ok. The crispy pork belly wasnt crispy and crumbed flathead fish landed up being nothing but fish and chips for $32. Was very dissapointing.
The chocolate dessert was good. So that was only highlight of the whole lunch experience.
Wasn't a good birthday celebration lunch.
Overall wasnt worth the one hour drive from Melbourne.

Staff went above and beyond for our daughter’s birthday. Food delicious, rooms very clean. With definitely come back again. Without the kids though

My partner and I stayed at Balgownie Estate last night. The experience was exceptional. We started off by checking into our Deluxe spa suite room and was greated by a complementry bottle of wine. We then headed over to the NatSkin Day Spa for an amazing couples massage, the ladies were so professional and the whole experience was very relaxing. Headed over to the pool for a swim and a relax in the steam room. Back to the room for amazing room service and a long soak in the spa bath. I have no idea why there are so many bad reviews on here, i read them before i left to go that day. Our experince was nothing like theirs.

A very beautiful winery for Sunday lunch. Wonderful views - especially on perfect, sunny Autumn day. Live music and the meals were exceptional - all 10 at our table totally agreed.

My partner and I visited for dinner, the restaurant area was a pop up as the restaurant building burnt down mid last year during covid and is being rebuilt soon, but the pop up is very open and inviting! The food was superb! Very fresh and flavoursome. We didn't make it in time for the wine tasting but my partner tried some at dinner and thought the Balgownie red wines were very good. Staff were extremely friendly and attentive. Great experience!

Booked a stay for our anniversary and stayed in the deluxe spa suite, had a balcony overlooking a grass area where there's umbrella and bean bags customers can use. Food at the restaurant is not good quality. Service was slow.

When we checked out (9: 30am) we were asked by the receptionist if we had taken anything from the mini bar. We only took the chocolate and advised her. Payments made for dinner and the chocolate.

At 7: 56 pm my husband missed a call and then checked his voicemail. A message was left by a staff named Robin requested for a call back due to an issue with our account. He called back and Robin stated there was a bottle of wine missing from the mini bar. My husband said we didn't take or drink any. She replied with tone of voice she didn't believe us and hung up.

I went to check my phone and my bank had sent me a text at 7: 47 pm notifying me a transaction was attempted against our credit card but declined. I called my bank to ask where this transaction was made from and they confirmed it was from Balgownie Estate. I was very unhappy the fact they tried to charge us without consulting us. I called Robin and questioned about the transaction being made before contacting us. She said it was a normal procedure every accommodation place has. This is not true, when you check out they should go and check the mini bar at the time to confirm and if there is an issue it should be dealt with there and then. I explained we didn't touch any of the wines and it was clear that the wine glasses weren't even touched. It should be a courtesy for them to contact customers before charging whatever amount they want afterwards when we are gone. Just because they withheld our card number during the stay it does not give them authority or any right to charge customers before consulting them. This would be theft. Robin then admits she would need to investigate with the staff who is in charge with the mini bar replenishment and she won't charge us. This all seems really dodgy. So they try to charge us but failed and turns around saying they won't charge us. This behaviour seems so dodgy. I think there's an issue with the staff at this place. I suggest for anyone who choose to stay here should take a before and after photo of the mini bar and always check your credit card after your stay.

Robin was not apologetic about this so it has left us with a bad experience. Supposed to be a relaxing and happy week for us but instead, have to stress about being charged over the next few days and constantly checking my credit card.

Stay was good but service is terrible. Not trustworthy.

Currently staying here and have only run into nice staff, a lovely and very clean room, very friendly and knowledgeable staff in the bar and restaurant and in reception. Rose petals in the room are a very nice touch.

Although from previous reviews it sounds like having a moan gets you a free bottle of wine. In that case I’m very unhappy. Rah rah rah. Grrr

The wine you gave me made me all wobbly and I’ve lost the ability to pronounce the word shenanigans.

Terrible, must have more ;-)

Went for a family excursion. Despite there's only temporary eatery as recent fire destroyed the restaurant, the food was alright except pasta. Wine has really good bang for the buck as well.

Had a 2-night stay recently. Balgownie was excellent - had a lovely spa room set up romantically for our wedding celebration, tasty breakfast boxes (though hot breakfast would be nice, and some variety between the breakfasts). Temporary marque for meals with limited menu since their restaurant was burnt down last year - food was good. Overall, would look forward to revisit when the restaurant is rebuilt!

My daughter and I stayed two nights in Balgownie Estate-Yarra Valley. The place is quite homely with the view overlooking the estate greenery garden. Very beautiful surrounding, you will not disappointed. Also the food were delicious and the staff service was excellent, very professional, approachable and friendly. Highly recommended.

We stayed at balgownie for 4 nights and had the most relaxing time! The service we received from everyone (especially Mark who was our shuttle bus driver!) was fabulous, can’t wait to come back!

Beautiful vineyard and the exteriors were amazing, though will definitely book in for the spa, as when I tried to book, they were fully booked. Jad come here as part of the pick up point for the hot air ballooning activity.

Happy overall with reception staff (not restaurant/cafe/bar staff) and the room but not extremely satisfied as an overall resort common facility, hence 4 out of 5 stars. Unsatisfied with restaurant staff issue will be discussed at the end.
Reason for 4 stars being everything is a little smaller scale than I expected it to be and as a self sufficient resort, everything closes way too early at 9pm - swimming pool/sauna/gym and restaurant/bar.

- FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES OFFERED‍️:
Really wish they would have offered those common facilities (swimming pool, gym, sauna, bar) til 10/11pm so we can thoroughly enjoy our overall experience there and as a way to keep us entertained within their resort and vineyard. The resort offers a range of facilities and activities within, but unlike other hotels/resorts, the resort reception staff did not advertise or communicate those with customers upon checking in so you don’t really know about it until it’s too late. And it just feels as if they offer it just for the sake of having it on the books but don’t care whether it’s operational and whether customers actually use it (i.e. The rundown outdoor massive Chess game with missing and broken bits, the paid electric scooter tour, outdoor walk, vineyard, wellbeing centre, etc.).

- ROOM:
The one bedroom apartment was great - clean, nice view, equipped with essentials, biiiig round spa bath tub that fits 2, comfortable bed and TV with free up-to-date movies in there! Love how they left the aircon on after cleaning to keep the room cool on a hot summer day for when we check in! 5 stars

- RESORT STAFF:
Resort reception and cleaning staff are all friendly and professional, very satisfied, although can disclose a little more info regarding facilities other than the marquee restaurant upon checking in.

- Restaurant, bar and wine tasting STAFF in the marquee‍️:
They were ALL giving out the “I-can’t-be-f*cked-working” vibes. And imagine trying to order or enjoy your morning coffee or simply trying to enjoy their complimentary wine tasting and looking at those unmotivated, unfriendly and impatient staff kind of rushing you through. Wine tasting whilst listening to how the both of them can’t be bothered with work and groups and gesturing how long it’ll take for each couple to taste wine. As a customer I asked questions and initiated casual conversations with him to get a cold and uninterested response. ‍️The one and only huge disappointment with this resort other than Rae’s restaurant being closed. My boyfriend and I literally decided not to have any meals there due to this very reason. I’m sorry, but this particular group of staff standard is not okay for hospitality industry.

Loved it! Perfect positioning for all the wineries, the eatery was great and very friendly and the place was so comfortable to relax.
Would highly recommend!

We were at Balgownie Estate Vineyard to celebrate our anniversary. The estate is just an hours drive from Melbourne and set in a beautiful location. The check-in process was smooth. We were in the one bedroom spa which had some beautiful views of the winery. The bedroom faced the walkway where you could hear people walking past or talking. For better views the rooms on level 1 are recommended. As the restaurant on site was booked out we ordered in room dinning. The experience wasn't as great. And the food was expensive. The place is good for kids as there are quite a few open areas for them to run around. There is a big chess board, a tennis court and a basketball hoop which we could see from our room. The room service would get you things promptly if requested. But not all the stock in the room (chips, milk, sugar) was replenished on the next day. The swimming pool was empty when we went so we had the whole pool to ourselves. There is also a gum with a good range of equipment. The spa treatments are expensive but well catered for.

Rooms were clean and well serviced. Staff were friendly and all restaurants and facilities at the Estate were amazing.

Great Location, Accommodation was suitable and the Wine/Food was definitely a winner. Left for home with 12 bottles in the boot and a bag full of the best fudge in the world!

Beautiful scenery, fantastic food and drink. A warm and friendly staff that take a genuine interest in the guests. What more could you ask for?