As you said RooFlyer “Oh good grief, let’s unpack this a bit”……….
Apologies in advance for the length but don't read it if you don't want to......
Firstly, can I take you back to my original post “Tassie & Hobart definitely need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. If Mr Koh has some more cash I'd suggest he build a hotel/shops/restaurants at Freycinet as well - prices and quality there might then start to approach reasonable.”
I still stand by that post, and none of your abusive and near-hysterical over-reactions since have changed that because my opinion was, despite your suggestion to the contrary, a well-informed one based on my actual recent experiences.
It is great that you stick up for your little patch, and you are obviously well versed enough with the Freycinet area to be able to cite the facts and figures as you see them; but, if I could use a business analogy, external auditors often pick up problems that insiders are too close to the action to see. Why don’t you share the name of your own establishment – and let people see if you can walk the walk as well as talk the talk?
Anyway, back to the unpacking……
My original post triggered responses from drron and yourself and the first place you both came up with was Saffire, which I pointed out was $2000/n - which is hardly a convincing way to start your pitch since I reckon the price point for most people might be more like $2000 per week rather than per day. Needless to say we didn’t stay at Saffire but I did email them beforehand to make a booking for their restaurant, but, alas, they told me it’s only available for in-house guests. Shame.
Ron followed up with this gem of a comment: ”I consider Saffire good value. Rates compare with other Australian resorts-Qualia, El Questro, Longitude 131. Wolgan valley and great southern lodge.” I worry that Ron has been inhaling a bit too much nitrous in the OR………..or maybe it’s just the rarefied air his head space inhabits compared to most.
I think it would be pointless to dissect the prices of individual accommodation – maybe you have all the figures to argue you position but suffice to say, I, as I do for all our accommodation around the world, researched the alternatives through hotelscombined.com and crosschecked them with TA reviews and photos. My observation was that the accommodation around Freycinet was over-priced compared to other areas around Tassie. Having subsequently stayed there I found that we got far better value elsewhere for the equivalent standard of room / amenities. The suggestion that there are plenty of cheaper alternatives such a camping etc. misses the point completely. It wasn't about finding a cheaper option - it was always about value.
Although it’s an expression that I generally try to avoid, “at the end of the day” my personal experience is all that matters to me (and all that I based my comments on). Since you don’t select where I stay, pay for where I stay or experience how comfortable I found the bed etc. I can comfortably dismiss your critique of my experience because YOU ARE NOT ME and you do not get to tell me what my experiences should be and you are arrogant to try and brow beat me by branding my experiences as “ignorance”.
Now, on to the restaurants you think I know so little about. To quote you, RooFlyer, “ …. vetrade apparently completely unaware of the range of other dining opportunities available, from fine dining at The Bay, through The Edge, the bistro, the pub (restaurant), marine farm etc.”
As a starting point, let’s look at how TA rates the Freycinet (predominately Coles Bay) restaurants:
No 1. Tombolo
I note TA describes Tombolo as “Italian, Pizza, Café” (not surprising given the food they serve). Funny how you derided me for calling it “Italian styled”. You, who knows everything about Coles Bay, don’t even seem to know what food they serve at their #1 rated eatery!
The first comment I have about Tombolo relates to their failure to accommodate us for a coffee at 4.30pm in peak holiday season, which ties in with Ron’s comment that “As to a restaurant not serving a coffee at 1630 because they open at 1700 is commonplace”. I’m sorry that I need to explain some things in excruciating detail to remove the insinuation I’m a bit slow on the basics of café hours but I feel I must. It does go to the matter of “good service” as well, I think.
The particular situation we encountered was that there were several tables of people eating when we approached at 4.30pm, but we were declined a coffee on the basis that they were closed between 4.00 and 5.00pm. The people seated apparently received their food as part of the lunch offering prior to 4.00pm. Now maybe my expectations are unrealistic, but I can’t see why a café would turn away customers and tell them to come back after 5.00pm when they have wait staff wandering around anyway and only 2 coffees were requested.
Second, Tombolo was the place with the foul smelling septic outlet under their deck I mentioned. Actually I’m sure it was directly under our table (we now regret going back there for dinner after the coffee fiasco). Not a good start especially when you ask the waitress to be moved and she just nonchalantly comments “Oh, we’re used to that”. Really?
The food? $25 for a sh**e, plain, near cremated and undersized pizza in a café? Again, really?
#2 The Edge Restaurant
We did actually eat here too. I don’t have any particular complaints although I’d describe this place as bland. The most attractive thing about the restaurant is the entry foyer! Food was fine but menu limited and average value for money.
#3. Freycinet Marine Farm
Another one you and Ron must have compared notes on.
(Opps, sorry I just realised you don’t like winks).
I note that (a) it closes at 5.00pm – OK for lunch but dinner’s “off the menu”, literally (b) seating is outdoor picnic style benches – what Ron described as “rustic” (c) they only serve seafood – not much good if your wife doesn’t eat that. Not really a dining experience of any note, I’d say but then again I have the abundant excellent options of the Mornington Peninsula at my doorstep.
#4 The Bay Restaurant at Freycinet Lodge
I know one swallow doesn’t make a summer but what does a whole flock of swallows say?
These are the most recent comments on TA:
“Severely disappointing”
“Disappointed”
“Disorganised”
“Awful”
“OK Not as good as we'd expected. The service although friendly, was inconsistent. The menu looked promising but failed to deliver what we would expect from 'fine dining'”
“Fine Dining? I don’t think so”
“Could improve”
There was only one favourable review out of the last 8.
This is the one you touted as “fine dining” too, RooFlyer, and yet you have the audacity to say I’m the one who is “completely unaware” of the quality of eateries. Time you pulled your head out of your a……..
#5 Iluka Tavern
Pub food – parmas etc. - take it or leave it. Greasy looking. We had a quick look and left ……………
#6. Richardsons Bistro
This is the alternate option at Freycinet Lodge.
Limited menu, probably good for ppl with kids. We looked at the pics and decided against it so I don’t have an opinion on it.
Overall I’d say Freycinet / Coles Bay hasn’t bathed itself in glory as a tourist destination - they don’t seem to set the bar too high. I suspect there is an element of complacency. Maybe they think they have the mix just right and don’t see any need for trying to improve.
So, if you were to say “Move along now, nothing to see here”. I think I’d agree.
MONA is 'challenging'. I haven't visited it myself; like you, I look for something beautiful in art, not a pile of artificial poo. But I will get along one day.
