Short review
Note: 3 is average
Value for money: 4/5
Services: 5/5
Bedroom: 5/5
Sleep quality: 5/5
Bathroom: 5/5
Facilities and amenities: 4/5
Pros
- Spacious and luxurious accommodation
- Beautiful architecture and interior
- Relaxing and enjoyable experience
Cons
- Inability to control the air conditioning system directly
Long review
Benalla, which is also known as Rose City, is a small city located in the state of Victoria, about 200 km northeast of Melbourne. Its population in the 2016 census was 9,298. In our visit to Benalla, my family and I decided to stay at Clement House, a bed-and-breakfast accommodation. It is uncommon for us to stay in a bed-and-breakfast, but we were attracted by the photos of the accommodation on the booking website. The accommodation seems to have a beautiful antique interior. Since I like antiques, this place certainly resonates with me.
On the booking website, I already told the owner the approximate time of our arrival. I appreciated how the owner texted me about an hour before the arrival time and gave instructions on how to access the house. Arriving at the address given, I could easily park on the street in front of the house. There was a high brick wall surrounding the property, so the house cannot be seen from the street. The wall also helped to minimise noises from the street, although this did not appear to be a problem since the street was quiet anyway. There was a sign saying Clement House on the gate, ensuring that we are in the right spot. Once we entered the front gate, we were welcomed with a gorgeous-looking garden, complete with a small fountain feature. The house itself looked beautiful and well-maintained from the front with its Victorian design (I think it was a Victorian design). I also loved the front door with its stained glasses.
The owner, who lived in the back side of the house, welcomed us and showed us around the house. The interior was stunning. Let’s start with the hallway. The support of the archway was beautifully decorated. The sunlight coming in from the stained glasses on the front door was gorgeous.
The living room was again very beautiful and cosy. The high ceiling made the room feel spacious. The fireplace was the centrepiece, and it was framed nicely by many antiques. Cutleries, a toaster, a microwave, and a kettle were hidden neatly inside the cabinets next to the fireplace. The owner also provided a loaf of broad, different types of jams, muesli, and cereals for our breakfast inside those cabinets. There were literally so many things to see and explore in this room. The antiques, paintings, books inside the tall display cabinets, and many other curios. I must say that all the furniture was of high quality. The chair and sofa in the living room, for instance, were very comfortable.
Opening the French doors in the living room, we could access a covered outdoor area. There was a long table which could easily fit 6 people. There were a kitchenette and a barbecue as well here. We could also enjoy the beautiful garden from this space.
Let’s go to the bedroom. The owner kindly arranged an additional bed when I requested it after booking. Again, the space looked elegant due to the excellent choices of furniture. There was another fireplace as well. Several fragrance diffusers made the bedroom feel soothing. The beds and pillows were comfortable. We had good night sleeps during our stay.
The bathroom was spacious and nicely decorated, matching the rest of the house. The deep bathtub was excellent for a relaxing bathing experience. The towels were soft and fluffy.
The only issue about our stay was our inability to control the centralised ducted air conditioning directly. I needed to text the owner to adjust the temperature for us. She responded to my texts quickly though.
In terms of location, I do not have much to say. The house is located in a residential area in Benalla. Given the small size of the city, everything is basically 5-10 minutes away by car. It was possible to walk to the city centre, but with a young child in tow, it was better for us to drive.
We very much enjoyed our stay and wish that we were there longer. I highly recommend this accommodation and I encourage you to experience this luxurious yet relaxing stay in the Clement House when visiting Benalla.
