The Lodge Mudgee

We had a wonderful stay at the Clairfield Hotel in Mudgee. The rooms are beautifully appointed, cosy and very comfortable, with a fresh, modern feel — nothing looks tired or dated. The bathroom was particularly lovely, with a beautiful shower and a clean, contemporary finish. The mattress was excellent and very comfortable, which made for a great night’s sleep. The reception area is spacious, stylish and welcoming, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Overall, the hotel has a lovely combination of comfort, freshness and understated elegance. A very pleasant place to come back to after a day exploring Mudgee. We would happily stay here again!

Not going to lie, I am very particular when it comes to accommodation no matter where I travel. I always insist on staying at places that are rated three stars and above. The only thing I had to go off regarding The Clairfield was their very meticulous Instagram account and their curated shots, however I’ve been fooled before. Not only was I relieved that the state of the accommodation was to my standards (modern, warm, well-designed interiors and exteriors), if anything, The Clairfield was able to change my mindset that Mudgee is capable of housing a truly affordable, design-led retreat that punches well above its price tag. Let’s start with the facts: this place was definitely a motor inn in a previous life. Whoever is in charge not only had the vision to give it a new lease of life, but a deep love for hospitality and the region. The modern makeover offers the kind of polish you’d expect in the city, without being too garish or out of place for a country town like Mudgee. After the long drive from the city, and especially after a day or two exploring Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos, our room was a true sanctuary. With a huge, soft bed and a bathroom fitted with all the trimmings, it had everything we needed to unwind after a rewarding day on the road. Other than our room that we called home for three nights, Gigi’s Restaurant was truly the darling of The Clairfield. Its refined menu offerings are something I would expect in the city rather than a country town with items such as the beef carpaccio and pork shoulder ragu accompanied by thoughtful wine pairings all sourced locally. The only slight downside to an otherwise seamless stay was a couple of menu shortages during our meals, specifically the stuffed squid at dinner and the cured salmon for breakfast. Then again, I suppose that is something you come to expect considering Mudgee is not exactly next to the coast. Overall, the Clairfield has definitely made the very small list of mine titled “Places I’ll definitely stay again”.

The Wife and I stayed in an Olive Queen room and we were very impressed with the newly renovated room and Motel as a whole. Clean, quiet and easy access to the Motels Restaurant, gym and pool areas. The afternoon Happy Hour was great and the service was excellent. Looking forward to staying here again.