Elm Lodge Bright

Booked a stay for 9 nights in 2br Unit 1. No owners on site, you are sent a code to enter. Small porch at entrance was windblown, leaves, dirt and cobwebs. Café table and chairs on porch covered in leaves and dust, should have been taken to tip a long time ago. On entering, very smelly, dusty, musty and dingy. Clearly this unit hadn’t been open/aired in ages. Tried to open all windows to air, some wouldn’t open, a couple wouldn’t stay open, so we wedged one open with a coat hanger. Bathroom and kitchen windows painted shut. Curtains in all rooms haven’t been taken down and cleaned in ages. Carpet in living room was stained. Lighting in living area poor, couldn’t read a book or paper. “Full Kitchen” as described on website is not representative of what is actually in unit. Not nearly adequate enough for 5 people. No storage in kitchen (what you bring in bags has to stay in bags), two pot cooktop (no stove), and a small fridge. There is a microwave, but not one single microwave dish. Small dining table barely enough for 2, no way you could sit 5 people. Bathroom clearly had not been cleaned since last occupants. Soap used by previous occupants still in shower recess - disgusting. Dust and dirt in the corners of the bath and on the floor, even cobwebs. Rust stains in the bath and toilet, shower over bath, no railing or mat for bath (if you are older), shower curtain stained and mouldy at the bottom. Took three wipes to get outdoor table clean enough to eat at. We didn’t use BBQ but it needs a good clean inside and outside. There is no light in BBQ area. There were no cleaning products, no broom, no vacuum, no tissues, no paper towel and no WIFI. The close proximity to the Bright shops, cafes etc. is no consolation. We rang the owners to complain, no satisfactory response. The owners seemed to have checked out and so did we.

Advertised as “fully self contained “:“ full kitchen, stove, full size fridge…,”. There is no stove! Only small cooktop and microwave. Falsely advertised. Advertising says can sleep up to five hours. Only has two dining chairs and table barely big enough for two. Very disappointing having arrived with the intention of three people eating in.

Great option for people exploring Bright - walk to shops/cafes, good parking, nice and quiet street. Great outdoors area if the weather is good with table/chairs/bbq. Rated as a 3 star but I would say at the top end of 3 stars.

We spent three nights at Elm Lodge. The best part was the great location that was within walking distance to everything in Bright. The hosts were very responsive to our requests, i.e., fixed a lamp that did not work and provided an air purifier due to some mildew smell. The front veranda was a convenient place to leave our bikes when we weren't out on the rail trail.