That won't cost a fortune!
One of the things I love, and one of the things I hate about going away is choosing where to stay. I don't know about you, but for me it's never a quick decision, and I "Umm" and "Ahh" about all sorts of things before finally making a choice.
The trouble is that if you're heading south to Your Margaret River Region there's so much accommodation to choose from, nearly all of it lovely, and all of it unique in some way. In the end it I suppose it comes down to deciding what's really important for you as a couple, or you as a family when you're making your selection.
I was really lucky recently to be hosted at 2 dreamy bed and breakfasts close to Margaret River township. They both delivered warm and friendly hospitality and cosy accommodation in beautiful settings. So to help your own planning, here's the lowdown on Rosewood Guesthouse, and Margaret River Bed and Breakfast.
Pull in sharply off Wallcliffe Road just 700 metres down from Margaret River's main street, and you'll find a cute turreted house surrounded by roses and beautiful shrubs.
You'll most probably be met at the door by owner Jane Purdie who's really friendly and helpful, or maybe her husband Keith, who'll greet you with a warm smile.
Together they run an award winning guesthouse, which has 6 stylish en-suite rooms in which they've hosted around 24,000 people during their 11 years in business. The fact that guests return often is testament to the way they're looked after.
"People come back to Rosewood again and again, and we're always blown away when our overseas visitors return because they have the whole world to choose from, but instead they choose to come back to us in Margs," Jane said.
It's no wonder really, because the guest house exudes charm, and guests apparently return for Jane's amazing breakfast waffles alone, which have won a degree of notoriety.
"Are you still making those waffles? one guest asked me with an element of demand before confirming her booking over the phone," Jane told me.
Inside, the public areas are elegant and welcoming. Bedrooms are all slightly different but each one exhibits Jane's distinctive flair for decor. Beds are large and comfortable and the rooms have all the conveniences you would expect of an upmarket B & B, while breakfasts (pre-book the night before) are healthy as well as hearty.
The highlight of my stay (apart from the magnificent breakfast and those waffles of course) was a spin in Rose, a 1956 Silver Cloud Rolls Royce – actually, she's Keith's pride and joy. Rose can under the auspices of Rosewood Tours, also be booked for weddings, and wine tours.
"She's an ongoing do-up," Keith told me as I admired the leather seats and walnut picnic trays.
If you're lucky Keith will tell you the story about that famous silver statue on the bonnet. The Spirit of Ecstasy, also called Silver Lady or Flying Lady, which has a bitter sweet fable attached to it about a secret love between a British Lord and his beautiful mistress.
A winding drive along a fairytale road between tall trees will bring you to a luxury, eco-friendly, bed and breakfast in a bush setting. It's not far from the beach and only a stone's throw from the centre of Margaret River if you're driving.
Next morning I met the lovely owners, Dirk and Pam Hos, who told me that they fell in love with this block of land several years ago, and decided to develop it, building a house which included four ground-level, spa-ensuite bedrooms which they've been running as a bed and breakfast for 7 years.
It's a pretty spot surrounded by natural woodland, and guests can sit outside their rooms on private verandahs, or on the sundeck and if they keep still and quiet, watch kangaroos bouncing around in the bush.
"Orchids are just coming into season," Dirk said, as I gazed at the lovely patch of forest in front of us while friendly Bella, the resident dog, begged to be thrown some honky nuts before she joined me on the sofa for a cuddle.
"She's actually the manageress," Pam told me with a smile.
As with many places in Your Margaret River Region, winter retreats are popular and it's nice to sit around a log fire on cold wintry nights. Margaret River Bed & Breakfast is no exception and boasts a lovely fireplace surrounded by big comfy sofas.
A chocolate on your bed, coffee and muffins anytime, a glass of wine on arrival and a private bush setting are all ticks in favour of this lovely guest house.
"The Margaret River region works so well in winter. There are the wineries with log fires, the amazing caves which are great in summer or winter, and of course there are the breweries. Then there are all the galleries and art … The temperature is often cold but it's often sunny too. We have people visit from Singapore and the tropics who like just to stand outside with their arms wide open revelling in the winter chill! We encourage people to drive to Surfer's Point and just sit in the car and watch the waves – the incredible force of the waves – it's great for people who haven't necessarily seen such a wild and rugged coastline before," Dirk enthused.
I have read about both of these places but liked how you added the bonuses like kangaroos, orchids, and waffles.
Hi Paula, Thank you 🙂 I really hoped to bring the places to life with a more personal feel than perhaps you might get with a review or website write-up. So thank you again for your lovely comment 🙂 Hope you get to visit one or both sometime too.
wow Jo, two gorgeous places that I had not heard about. They look like luxury plus and a wonderful indulgence for a special weekend away. Thank you for showing them to us. I will definitely consider next time we are looking for a weekend getaway.
Oh that's great Jill! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.