I have never before written a negative review.
My husband and I stayed for 8 nights ( end July/early August - winter).
I booked because of positive reviews.
Cost was $182 AUD per night, including cleaning and service fee, so we expected a good standard of accommodation.
The Retreat is advertised as having a "fully equipped kitchen".
I wanted to roast potato and pumpkin. Only a microwave, no convection.
I thought, OK, I'll steam and mash them - no steamer, no potato masher.
Another night, I cooked a thai curry and there was only one saucepan large enough so needed a rice cooker or another large-ish saucepan - none.
On arrival, a decent coffee would have been good. No pod machine as there had been in every other stay.
I found a french press - this was broken, but no ground coffee supplied anyway
( all other stays had this in an airtight container in the fridge).
There were 3 frypans - 2 were dangerous to use - worn down to bare metal.
The 3rd was not much better.
Large wooden salt and pepper grinders - both empty.
Dishwasher: 3 tablets left for us (8 Nights). It was blocked at the outlet with thick noodles and other food.
No kitchen sponge/scourer or brush. One tea towel.
Hidden drawers behind facade for crockery and cutlery.
These needed labels - I had never seen this before and had to ring host.
Breakfast: one morning only - stale, dry bread; very small jug of milk
Kitchen clock: dead batteries.
Slow combustion fire: plenty of wood but 8 matches left for us.
Indoor plants: 12 plastic , nothing fresh - dead leucadendron (Aus native) in jug.
Linen:
One set of sheets for 8 nights.
2 scratchy towels each for 8 nights.
One tea towel. No washingmachine.
Winter in Tasmania - no electric blanket on bed.
I conveyed the above to the host.
Sarah said she was sorry they did not meet my expectations.
No comment on any of the issues.
Also, I notified Sarah of a plumbing issue in shower recess - no comment.
To be honest, I was shocked that all the above points could be overlooked by any caring, competent host.