Northwest Tasmania Cheap Holidays

This was my second visit to Strahan. It’s easy to forget how these towns in the west of the state shut down in winter. The hotel has two restaurants and the pub. Both restaurants were closed and there was no suggestion of room service. The only appliance in the room was an electric jug, which meant that, if you want breakfast you have to eat at the bistro. Prices in the bistro are very high, so any meal for two there would cost at least $100.00. On our first day we decided to have brunch in the bistro: mistake. It opens for breakfast at around 7.00, closes at about 10.00 till 11.00. When we got in we were the only customers. We were offered a bar menu, lunch items like pork-belly bites, chips, burgers, schnitzel and the like. We were forced to have an early lunch, which basically meant soup. I asked several people before finding out what the soup was. My wife’s soup arrived fairly quickly but no sign of mine. Eventually we overheard a conversation in the kitchen and my soup was served. It was cold and I took it back. They put it in the microwave but didn’t stir it, so it came back hot and cold. The server told us we’d have to book for dinner. She didn’t offer to take our booking. We decided to eat dinner in the bar (no booking needed), where the same menu was presented. Given the complete absence of dining alternatives, this poor service and ordinary menu that circulates through bistro and bar is unacceptable.

Room amenities were nice and the fireplace was quaint. The cost of food and drinks was quite a bit but to be expected when isolated on a mountain.