If you're looking at this listing it's likely due to the cheap price and you'll no doubt be wondering if there is a catch. After spending 6 nights here, I can tell you there is not!
The Cottage:
The place is indeed cozy. It's clean and everything you could want is provided. The breakfast is a good continental style breakfast (and eggs are also offered) and you're given plenty of space in the fridge, freezer and pantry to use if you are cooking for yourself at anytime. The beds are comfortable and rooms spacious with plenty of storage space. The cottage is very quite at night so light sleepers will have no problem here.
The Area:
Altona is simply stunning, the beach is only a short walk away and contains some wonderful bird life. If you're not driving you're close enough to everything that walking is not a problem, and any excuse to walk along the beach you should take! It's also only 5 mins walk from the train station that takes you into the centre of Melbourne within 30 minutes. I also recommend a trip into neighbouring Williamstown. If you're a walker like myself, it's a wonderful 2 hour walk along the coast to get there, or it's a short train ride.
The host:
And then there is Lorraine, who will go above and beyond to make sure you're happy, comfortable and have everything you need. She's a wonderfully articulate lady and very knowledgeable about the area and its history. She'll make you feel welcome and is a joy to talk to, but at the same time she's socially aware enough to know when to leave you to it and give you space. You really could not ask for a better host and I'll honestly miss her now I've left, and it takes someone pretty special for me to say that about.
Conclusion:
Whether or not you're staying for a night or a month, this is an ideal place to pick, and the fact it's so reasonably priced is the icing on the cake.