Lake Wendouree Apartments Webster

Bed very comfortable, electric blanket and clean sheets. Apartment was old and smelt a bit musty, Could have been a bit cleaner. Had everything you need,very big lounge area with plenty of seating. Off street parking. Close to lake, hotel and coffee shops.

I had reservations about entering into a transaction with a business who responds so harshly to the customer’s feedback. Anyone who has a business model of blaming customers when there’s an issue, instead of genuinely trying to listen and come to an agreement doesn’t deserve my money. However, we were desperate for somewhere to stay and there were limited options, so I booked hoping for the best, what I got was the absolute worst. I booked during Covid, and only days before we were due to stay Ballarat went into lockdown. Despite being told I would receive a full refund, despite their website clearly stating this, I was only refunded half. I then tried to use the remaining credit and the multiple emails that I sent were either ignored, or replied to, but no booking was ever made. I’m now being told that that’s my fault for not ringing, but I shouldn’t have to pick up the phone. One of my multiple emails was replied to, it is not my responsibility to continue to chase until I have a booking. I was reluctant to use the phone, as there are clearly unethical business practices here, and I wanted to make sure everything was documented in writing. Whatever is written in response to this email I won’t read. It will most likely be untrue. My advice, stay somewhere else. Save yourself the stress of having to deal with them.

Ok Gavin, let’s get this straight. We did not constantly complain - I made one phone call. When I first raised a number of issues your manager was sympathetic, and said that she would speak to the owner (her father?). You must have taken a different, and totally unsympathetic line. Following that conversation she got back to me, and was seriously argumentative, and kept interrupting me as I tried to explain our concerns. She then hung up on me (leaving me rather upset), and sent this text message:- “I have honestly had enough. They are not issues that are worth calling someone and wasting your time or mine on. I understand right now, these may seem like large issues to you but to most, they are simply minor and should not effect your stay to the point of compensation. I do not wish to talk to you any more, it’s going around in circles and you are really just making me very angry. I’ll Reimburse you 10%. Thank you? Jayde” This is extremely rude and wholly unprofessional. I am not in the habit of posting reviews, but this behaviour was totally unacceptable, and should not be left to go without comment. We still have not received a clear explanation of the cost, and certainly no apology. I was polite throughout. It is not acceptable for us to be described as “a pain”!! Howard

The apartment was dirty and shabby. Basic amenities not provided eg coffee plunger. Our concerns dismissed as trivial by the manager in a very rude email. Overcharged with no explanation provided. In contrast to other places we’ve stayed in Australia the experience was extremely disappointing. Do not stay in this place.. it is in no sense luxurious and the management is rude and unprofessional.

2 pm Tuesday Checked in fine. Enjoyed a coffee and smoke on our balcony, as per the instructions emailed to me at the time of booking. See below: • Lake Wendouree Luxury Apartments is a non-smoking venue; guests and their visitors are permitted to smoke outside in their private courtyard or balcony and are asked to dispose of their cigarette ash, butts and matches thoughtfully using the ashtrays provided. Tuesday. We went out for a movie and dinner. Wednesday. Out for lunch, visit the Cemetery, a bit of shopping, out for dinner. At 4.01pm Wednesday I received the following text from Jayde, one of the managers, Hello Joan. Hope you're well. I just wanted to let you know that we are a non-smoking property , the cleaners noticed cigarettes in the outside table. We would really appreciate if you didn't smoke whilst staying with us on our property, to respect other guests staying and also avoid any extra cleaning fees upon departure. Regards Jayde. I was really stressed and upset by this message as we had done nothing wrong and we felt like not going back to a place that treats guests in such an offhanded manner. However having one more night there, I messaged back that we would go down to the street to smoke. I also mentioned that the signs in the room stated no smoking inside. Nowhere does it say no smoking on the balcony or grounds. Quite the opposite. No response from Jayde. Having now left the property I have message and emailed the managers to request an apology or explanation for the undue stress and harassment during our stay but they have not responded. If they are no smoking on their property it should be overtly stipulated in the rule book and I suggest they have the non smoking signs on the balcony and elsewhere, like the one on the fridge. At this point in time I have not been hit with any extra cleaning fees which was another issue I was puzzled, stressed and concerned about. Particularly as we had done nothing wrong.

5/5 A huge apartment that has been cleverly renovated. Our stay was in the middle of a Ballarat winter, and the hot blankets welcomed us in the evening. The highlight was the instantaneous gas fire. Location is walking distance to the Lake View Hotel, where we dined for 2 nights in a row.