Pumphouse Point

Well presented, modern suite with all the necessary extras included. Centrally located to the CBD, plenty of parking available Look no further for a great deal

Back because of a previous enjoyable visit - sadly significant problems - Although room advertised as having a bath for which we paid a premium there was none - false advertising. We came back because of the wonderful communal dining experience - now changed to a boring restaurant set up. The 240 metre walk along the very poorly lit jetty in the dark and rain is one which would give any safety regulator apoplexy and leaves this organisation open to litigation. The food is boarding house standard - no pepper salt on tables, boil your own eggs, i feel sorry for overseas visitors who have a choice of vegemite and honey - no bar list. The staff are mainly foreigners and are willing and friendly however the place runs in a management vacuum - at least management who know how to provide the detail required.

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.

We LOVED our time at the Pumphouse. Initial booking two nights, we loved it so much we added an extra night. Accommodation was clean and comfortable with everything you could possibly need. The lounges were warm and welcoming. The views and outlook….spectacular. The staff was excellent….every single one. The food was lovely. The delight of the food is that you don’t have to think about it - it is all there, and of high quality. And of course, nature - clean air, beautiful views, limited technology, this is a place you can truly relax. Before attending I read some less than positive reviews, but booked any way because of the iconic location. After being there - I don’t understand the negative reviews - this place is wonderful and we will visit again.

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

We first stayed at Pumphouse Point back in 2019 and have spent the last six years raving about it to anyone who would listen. Finally in June we managed to get back and felt quite disappointed with the experience. The hotel has been sold and is now operated by the NRMA, this seems to have resulted in much of the magic being lost. Firstly the setting remains stunning, staying out in the pumphouse in the middle of the lake is still a lovely experience, be prepared for some cold walks in winter but it’s worth it. The rooms are still nice although the small bathrooms a bit dated and lacking privacy, but the setting more than makes up for that. Some things that need attention if this is to continue to be promoted as a premium hotel. - house keeping, it’s just not cleaned properly, in the rooms and common areas. We had cobwebs, not just on the windows but in the bathroom that were not cleaned. Cleaning the carpets seemed very occasional with crumbs etc left for days. - catering, dinners were okay but a bit hit and miss, often cold and not fresh. Breakfast was really poor, reminiscent of a cheap motel, the communal dinners which we enjoyed a lot on previous visit seem to be gone. Lunch provisions are provided daily’s, bread, a couple of cheeses and cold meat. It would be fine except it never changes, exactly the same day after day, it just seems lazy not to add some variety. - Drinks, there is no wine available by the glass, just a very limited selection of wines by the bottle at very expensive prices. The wonderful honour bars in the lounges on our last visit are all gone. The pre-dinner drinks each night are very limited, staff seem very uncertain what’s is included and the nightly cocktail seems almost alcohol free. - Staff, most are friendly enough and trying hard but almost all seem to be untrained and mostly travellers. One staff member who went to great effort to tell us he was the Manager gave us the worst customer service experience. - the retreat, a seperate and somewhat remote building and the most premium of the rooms is now being surrounded by similar copies currently under construction which will take away from its charm considerably. We spoke to a number of other guests on return visits after previous great stays who shared our dismay and told us it would be their last visit. You simply can’t charge $1000 a night and get these things wrong, it’s a shame as this is such a remarkable place.