Guest reviews O’Reilly’S Rainforest Retreat

by deeluxetravels

Loved O'Reilly's - truly able to immerse yourself in Nature!

Booked last minute for O'Reilly Rainforest Retreat (Through Discover Qld). What an experience! Just LOOOVED it! Had a Mountain View Room overlooking Lamington National Park, The wildlife like Lorrikeets came right up to your patio. You can feed them from your balcony. Pademelons (like Wallabies) wander around the retreat. We went searching for Glowworms on a night trek through the forest - most spectacular to see! On our way saw crayfish, frogs and tree snakes. A once in a life time experience - really magical! We walked the Treetops walk which is like a boardwalk into the forest, climbed up the treetops (purpose built ladders attached to the trees) - 2 levels up and THE most stunning views ever! We met the local animals at the Wildlife Encounters, hiked down to Moran Falls (there are so many hiking trails). The Forest sights, sounds and smell were inspiring. Our stay at O'Reilly's- food was incredible, staff were lovely, eco-rangers really laid back and knowledgeable. Retreat itself - perfect for summer or winter (would be beautiful in the winter with the fireplace). All wooden panels, beautiful smell of timber. Absolutely stunning surrounds, idyllic setting and a chance to really immerse yourself into all that nature has to offer. Infinity Pool is cool, perfect after a long day of trekking through the forest. A must visit!

by Mrs A Brisbane, Australia

Perched atop the mountain, with birds soaring around, so peaceful

We finally arrived at O'Reillys after what can only be described as one heck of a drive up the mountain. You certainly need to have your wits about you. Having arrived safely we found our room and were pleasantly surprised by the wonderful use of timbers and our little patio overlooking the hinterland which became visible on day two. Nonetheless, we had a room hidden away along an unlit pathway at night time. As well our car park was a long way from our unit, putting and additional pressure on me. I use a walking stick and it was amazing that I didn't fall and break a bone walking around. As with others who have written reviews, the inclusion of a radio or television in the accommodation style we booked would have helped with our boredom. As oldies with mobility issues it was a tad hard looking at four walls. But that said, we understand the way the place operates. We were surprised by the number of day trippers enjoying the wildlife, bush walks and history of the place. It was great seeing young children so enthralled with feeding the birds. We were here for a wedding and the place was a terrific venue for one. We were taken along very bumpy bush tracks in buses (the drivers have terrific skills and know their buses foibles very well) to the site which was simply the most breath-taking mountain scenery. Staff put out red carpet for the bride along the boardwalk. The staff member who spent all her time on the wedding from beginning to end was an absolute gem. Nothing was too mcuh trouble looking after the wedding party, the guests, the food and getting people to their accommodation. She is an absolute keeper. I would gladly return for a break in different accommodation and maybe if I could arrive in a helicopter as the road was a but too traumatic for me in my old age when I get scared easily.

by Wizz56 Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

Enjoyed

We’ve been to O’Reillys many times but this was the first time we had stayed. The rooms were excellent with stunning views. We went on the glow worm walk which was very good. We particularly enjoyed feeding the birds

by mikeeB5179VG Queensland, Australia

Couple O’Reillys 2 night trip

As always I’ll be true and fair. The location is beautiful. Away from all the crowds and technology and hustle and bustle of usual life. It’s slightly cooler by a few degrees than the GC too. The walks are fantastic. If you enjoy long peaceful walks filled with a little bit of adventure and a little bit of ‘is this safe’ every now and then. Walks are of various difficulty and length suitable for everyone. Best part of this place IS the walks and nature. The room I stayed in but also most rooms, have no TV and the radio alarm clock never worked. Not the end of the world, but, the bar closes at 9:30! There is nothing to do after this time. No entrainment, the wifi doesn’t work in your room, no chilling in the room with background TV - I was slightly down with both these points together, one or the other and I’d have been ok. But everywhere closed and nothing to do in the room, it sucked. The Day spa and lost world; Before this event I was still okay with the trip. This changed over the day. The spa service was poor with no communication or sense of team work with the main reception. We rang to book an appointment several times with no answer every time. We left messages and waited half a day, still no response. Main reception rang too, same issue. They said they just ‘must be busy’. We finally emailed and then just attempted to book online,we could only book for one but wanted to go together and then of course could not cancel what we booked for the next day for just one of us. We decided to head down directly and see what the story was and to book for two that day etc. No staff of front reception. We kept coming back and checking half hourly but no staff what so ever. I managed to speak to a staff member not from that department and ask what was going on. Apparently they were just busy and all in treatments. I’m sorry, but I’m my opinion there should always be someone on reception to help, direct and advise. Perhaps main reception could help at peak times?! We never saw any staff over the following hour. We used the pool and jacuzzi whilst waiting. The pool looks nice but had mould growing on the sides. Honestly! The jacuzzi was non functional and the tiles had come off and just lying on the bottom on the jacuzzi! This was not new either judging by the number of tiles. the shade umbrella was broken after tying to get it,I gave up. No shade, broken jacuzzi, tiles on the bottom and mould in pool I wanted to complain there and then but no staff as around! There as a private event on at the same time, although separate from the spa centre I feel perhaps all the staff was helping there all day, instead of paying hotel customers?! I will be emailing the site manger directly for answers as all this together is unacceptable safety and service from an expensive retreat such as this. I found the breakfasts and dinners super expensive for what they were, $35 for breakfast! There is nowhere else to go In The area so have you by the b$lls tbh. So breakfast for me and my partner cost us $70. Too much I feel, $25 would still be high but potentially acceptable. Summary, go super early and head out for your walks, stay the one night, perhaps another walk the next day but then leave after. Hope this helps.

by Shellbell_85 Sydney

Wonderful place

Im going to outline some positives and negatives of the property in this review as i find them helpful when i read reviews, however, I would like to say overall the place is AMAZING, don't miss it. There are significant things they could do better in my opinion but they also do so many things right, so I thought I'd jot them down for anyone who might find it helpful when considering booking and also to give the management some constructive feedback. Positives - the birds - the bush walking - incredible views from our room (think it was called a mountain view room) - fantastic food at fair prices and the dining room and bar have a lovely atmosphere - please never change or "update" them they are gorgeous as they are - The managers welcome gave us a fantastic history of the property with a lovely glass of sparking, its not to be missed and we loved it. - afternoon tea and morning tea are lovely and generous and a welcome treat between walks - the booking team are fantastic and very helpful seeing as we changed our booking a couple of times due to unforeseen circumstances. Super helpful and nothing too difficult. - the drive up and down although it can be a little hair raising in the wet really is spectacular and you feel a world away. Negatives - The staff overall were very good however their down point is giving directions. We got lost a couple times and when you ask for a bit more detail on navigating the grounds the staff get super edgy... its a bit irritating. - Wifi doesn't reach the rooms - well not our room anyway. I didn't mind not having a television but no wifi wasn't the best. - the whole time we were there, the grounds were being attended to by the groundsman. I went there for peace and quiet and couldn't get away from the buzzing of his automatic clipper or whipper snipper. Its the background to every video I took, so you couldn't hear the birds. I know it has to happen at some point but man it was pretty annoying. - The beds need desperate updating. They are so thin and hard. Our bed was so firm I woke up so many times overnight and felt a hundred years old. - A good part of the reason we went there in January was because they have an amazing looking infinity pool. We have a four year old so couldn't do some of the longer hikes but thought we might spend some time at the pool. Well it was closed for maintenance the whole time. MAJOR BUMMER especially our little one. There is another pool and spa but to be honest they look super grimey... im not sure if they are actually dirty or maybe its cus they are a bit old? they need a bit of a facelift. In addition the infinity pool is all the way at the bottom of the property. so you need to get in the car and drive for five minutes to reach it... which would be fine if it weren't broken.. we'd tried walking there, gotten lost and traipsed up and down hills for half an hour with our little one in 30 degree heat based on the poor directions given by the staff, we never found the pool and decided give it a miss and try again later in the car. More a reason to update the pools in the main part of the resort in my thinking for people coming in the summer months. Although there are some things that could improve the guest experience, they wouldn't hold me back returning, id like to come back and do some more walking maybe visit the day spa etc.