Pumphouse Point

Pump house Point has it all - amazing scenery, great rooms and fabulous communal areas with a fireplace to watch the lake as you read your book, play a game (provided) and drink local wines from the honour bar. Dinner is served for all guests together and was adequate but not great.

A Disappointing Return to a Previously Loved Destination It’s disappointing to write this review, as we’ve absolutely loved Pumphouse Point during past stays. Unfortunately, this time, the special atmosphere that once made it so memorable seemed to be missing. To start with the positives—because there are still some. The location remains simply stunning. Sitting in the lounge, looking out over Lake St Clair with a glass of wine in hand and a crackling wood fire nearby is still an unforgettable experience. The surrounding walks are world-class, and the accommodation is faultless: spacious, beautifully appointed, and designed with comfort in mind. The staff were warm, helpful and genuinely lovely throughout our stay. However, there were several aspects that significantly impacted our experience. The Food: Sadly, the dining was well below par for a premium destination. Meals arrived cold or lukewarm at best, portions were small, and desserts lacked imagination. On two nights, dessert was simply a small, dry cake with nothing to accompany it. Another guest even joked, “Did they buy these in a packet from Woolies and just plate them up?” The food gave the impression of being pre-prepared and reheated rather than freshly cooked. Everything was under-seasoned, and condiments weren’t provided on the tables—you had to ask each night. When I raised concerns about the cold food, staff said they’d inform the chef, but there was no follow-up. We never saw the chef or smelt any food cooking, which felt unusual for a place like this. Dining Atmosphere: One of the standout features of past visits was the communal dining experience. Guests sat at long shared tables, where conversations flowed freely, and it was easy to meet new people and form unexpected friendships. The restaurant used to be vibrant—filled with laughter, chatter, and a genuine sense of connection. Unfortunately, that atmosphere seems to have been lost. Guests are now offered the option to dine separately, and many understandably choose to do so. While this may suit some, the result is a dining room that feels sterile and silent—there’s not even ambient music to soften the mood. On our first night, the space felt so flat and uninviting that I just wanted to leave. It was a stark contrast to the warm, lively experience we’d looked forward to in the past. Changes to the Honesty Bar: We understand the removal of the honesty bar due to RSA regulations, but the replacement system is far from guest-friendly. Alcohol is now only available for purchase between 3pm and 10pm, and we often found ourselves chasing up staff—who were in the middle of setting up the restaurant for dinner service—to get a drink. There was no drinks list for spirits or beers, so guests are left having to ask what’s available and how much everything costs. When I enquired, I was told they’re in the process of updating their offerings—but surely a temporary list could be provided, especially when some items are at the top en

Location - beautiful, buildings interiors well designed was lovely sitting in the lounges with the fires burning, referencing negative reviews I had seen - the buildings are old and in the wild so cobwebs on windows is unavoidable, personally the chipped external paint adds character Rooms - functional and clean on arrival however not vacuumed the during our stay so lots of bread crumbs all over the floor! Furniture a little dated but comfortable Food and Beverage - Larder Concept needs to be reimagined and an alternate lunch option offered, pre ordered at an additional cost would be acceptable- one can only eat so much bread and cheese! a dozen TAS Oysters, lovely Lobster roll washed down with a TAS Sparking White would have been a fabulous addition or some veg and salad options we missed eating green food during our stay. Wine list limited and wine not offered by the glass, many alternative wonderful TAS wines that could have been included to increase offering and price range Communal dining was better than expected however missed the mark with the little details, salmon dish topped with a flying fish roe rather a salmon roe Staff friendly and attentive - we enjoyed our stay just was disappointed with food and beverage offerings