I was packing the families bags ready to leave for Bendigo when
Mr M got home from work. Hayley was away for the weekend so we only had little
Madison with us for the night.
Choice Hotels Australasia was kind enough to gift us a room
at the lovely Comfort Inn Julie Ann in Bendigo. I cant stress this enough the
photos online doesn’t do this place enough justice. Don’t get me wrong it isn’t
a 5 star hotel but it definitely ticks the boxes and has all the amenities we
needed and so much more.
We were supplied with an itinerary but in true me style of
course we either a) fell behind on times or switched a couple of activities up-
none the less it was amazing. .
So by the time we arrived in Bendigo it was around 6pm or
maybe a tad later.
Comfort Inn Julie Anna
Before I have my say this is a little ABOUT the Comfort Inn
Julie Anna
Recently renovated, the hotel has had a total makeover with
33 stylish rooms all with courtyard access and views of the outdoor pool.
Comfort Inn Julia Anna is a part of Choice Hotels, with all
Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Spa Rooms & Family rooms treated to a total
makeover, making these rooms the premier rooms in Bendigo. The property has 33
stylish rooms all with court yard access and views of the outdoor pool.
Our rooms was rooms number 15 and the hotel layout reminded
me a lot of a motel style with drive up doors. But on the inside I was
surprised by what I saw.
When we walked in to the left was a door and that had two
single beds and a flat screen and then you kept walking straight and it was the
lounge/living area and the main bedroom as well as a sofa. At the foot of the
bed if you turned left it was a bathroom with massive shower, toilet and a
decent sized spa. Then if you walked out of there you would have seen sliding
doors and out there was a courtyard open to all guests and a pool.
Food- The Foundry Hotel Complex
So by the time we were all settled then it was totally dark
so we decided to go and explore a little and find a good place to eat. This is
where we found- The Foundry Hotel
Complex. It was a total fluke but one of the best ones we have found so far. We
were at another pub but there wasn’t the greatest service and we weren’t sat at
a meal friendly table so moved onto the next one, which was also showing the
game.
One of the deals with going away was being able to watch the game
somewhere as it was an away game and we couldn’t travel this time.
Then we were back to the Hotel to settle in for the night,
this is where I took advantage of jumping into the spa. I packed my LUSH goodies as I had a feeling I
might be jumping into a tub.
I wasn’t confident on putting little Madison into a room by
herself so this is where the sofa couch came in handy and we set up a bed for
her in the same room as us. As soon as her head hit that pillow she was fast
asleep but did wake up at 3am to check where she was and a little confused.
Morning had us heading into the reception and through to the
small restaurant area where there was a European style breakfast. Matt and I
had a little something extra with ordering the Eggs benedict and bacon and
eggs, but Madison was happy with her juice and breakfast. After the simple but
beautiful breakfast we checked out of the Comfort Inn’s Julie-Anna’s Hotel.
We had complimentary passes to have some “fun with Clay” at
the Bendigo Pottery place, which is one place my (now in heaven) grandma used
to shop for most if not all her home wares. It was almost like stepping back in
time once entering the building, everything was still all hand made and
sculpted- it was fantastic to see they kept it handmade rather then machining
things like a lot of other places are now doing.
The staff at the Bendigo Pottery place were kind enough to
give us complementary entry to the museum here where there were all the old
kilns and pottery pieces as well as what Bendigo Pottery made both back in the
day and even do this day.
We had a coffee and morning tea here before jumping back
into the car and hitting the road to the next destination.
I have always had my eyes on the Castlemaine Candy and have
been curious on the flavour since high school. So I thought why we were out
here why not take a slight detour to Castlemaine to pick some up in the town
they are made. We went to the factory but it was closed. So it was time for
some lunch. With thanks to google and the reviews we found Castlemaine The
Railway Hotel.
I looked at the menu on the front window and it really wants
your typical hotel and had a different twist to the menu- not your parma and
chips kind of place.
But walking into the front door it was almost like taking
a step back in time and just a really beautiful décor setting to it.
We were
put right in front of the fire, which was perfect to me as little Madison had
become quite sick with the flu.
Dragging lunch out was my plan as I knew the next step was
home and I really didn’t want to go just yet. But after lunch we were destined
for home and to be honest at this point I was exhausted, full and hanging for
my own bed.
All in all the weekend was great and I will be recommending
a weekend like this one to anyone who listens.
The website is www.choicehotels.com.au
for your reference.