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Two couples in our family had an overnight stay at Malanda Lodge and both were very impressed. The 2 rooms were very clean and modern and the bed was comfortable. The gardens were well maintained and the complimentary continental breakfast was very fresh and ample. The staff were very friendly too. We would definitely stay again here. 5 stars

Great Location - Poor Accommodation & Service! We first stayed here 11years ago and were VERY disappointed (my last review is still listed here on Trip Advisor - September 2013). My partner thought she’d give us a night away and after reading some of the more recent 4-5 star reviews, we thought that things had changed. Unfortunately, we were wrong. I’m not sure if other people have a different expectation than us when paying $200+ per night, or they were lucky to get a better room, but things have only marginally been upgraded and our experience doesn’t come close to what some other reviewers have written. For $200 per night for a one bedroom unit, we expect better than what Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges provide. We were placed in a centre unit of three. The interior of this unit was better than the one we inhabited in 2013 and had been given a facelift with newer furnishing, upgraded floors, ceiling and walls. However, whilst renovating the walls I think they forgot to include any sound proofing. The noise by other guests next door, from both left and right of the unit, was ridiculous. What sounded like doors or cupboards being slammed shut went on and on during the late evening and early morning. There was no mould this time and a de-humidifier was going flat out when we arrived. This seemed to be working well and the room was dry. We don’t use a de-humidifier where we live, were not familiar with it and as there were no instructions or notice to turn it off, we left it going. Not a good idea, because at 1:45am the unit decided to start beeping loudly to advise us of something wrong. I immediately turned it off. Although we didn’t expect anyone snooping around outside, the bedroom curtains didn’t shut completely (see attached photo) and there were NO curtains in the front room, apart from see-through white mesh ones. Privacy was non-existent. The bathroom lights didn’t work - virtually just glowed - a candle would have provided better light. We had to compensate for this lack of light by using one of the bedside table lamps (see attached photo) which was ridiculous and it looked like the wiring at the damaged lamp plug could potentially be dangerous (see attached photo). When we told the reception about this, it was made out to be our fault for not turning up the dimmer switch. Funny thing was, they didn’t have a dimmer switch, just on on/off switch. As I said at the start, there have been some improvements, however, they forgot to sort out the gas cooker. The control nobs on the cooker were basically unreadable (see attached photo) and badly damaged. The gas was barely coming out (maybe the bottle was empty?) and was only just enough to warm some steak we’d purchased for dinner. As to the wildlife, we saw a sugar glider, a long-nosed bandicoot, a honeyeater and a whip bird. We also heard a wompoo pigeon. The sugar glider and bandicoot looked like the ones we saw being feed last visit but I don’t think they’d have lasted 11 y

I was really looking forward to this mountain top location & optimistic about the retreat upon arrival, even after I found out it’s a just share house/lodge. We booked the “King Room” which appeared to have a nice view overlooking the valley below (according to their listing’s images for “this room”. Upon arrival we had to call management to get the combination to access our room key (should have been sent prior to our arrival), the “King bed” was just two singles shoved together (very uncomfortable) & nobody comes to clean the room or supply fresh towels during your stay. There was no view, just a tiny courtyard hiding behind a broken blind (which we had to cover with their room information booklet for privacy). The room has no air conditioning, only a ceiling fan, but does have its own bathroom/toilet attached (glad we didn’t have to share that). There was mould on the ceiling above the bathroom doorway and they only clean around the furniture as we discovered later when my wife moved the bedside table whilst looking for something. Who supplies a room with three bed pillows??? There’s a small hole in the wall which I can only assume is from an old door lock mechanism due to its shape. Upon arriving I also spoke to one of the guests and the topic of breakfast was discussed. He informed me that there was none available (as stated in the little book inside the room). This was a surprise, as when I booked it was an option that I’d selected, which usually costs extra by default. I decided to call the management again, and after some discussion some items were delivered to the house. Sadly I don’t think a “continental breakfast” is merely bread, juice, milk & mini packs of cereal….very disappointing when you’re paying high season prices. The kitchen has most things you need, but I wasn’t expecting to have to soak and scrub off baked/fried on dried food before I even started cooking & one of the large cooktop elements doesn’t work and has a broken button… The view was really nice from the balcony of the main house, you can see about half of Atherton, but the bushes have grown up in front of it and need a good trim. There’s a cute little pool on the balcony, two people max, but it’s clean and well maintained. There’s an air conditioner in the main lounge room of the house, but no remote control making the house very hot in the day time (I’m pretty sure this is illegal). Saturday night, time to have a late shower….nope, the water doesn’t work at 11pm this night, not even a drip. I tried the taps in the kitchen & same result. Being stuck here for five nights over Christmas was not my idea of a good time and having my wife complain about it the whole time was even worse! I do not recommend you bother staying here, given all of the unexpected surprises. If you are intending on staying, just remember that it’s right next to the phone tower (thought I was lost the first time I came up the dirt driveway), so you’ll have great reception to call

The bluegum bed and breakfast was a very clean and beautiful place to stay . Great value for money , surrounded by beautiful nature and wildlife was very quiet and peaceful. Would definitely recommend.