Watsons Bay Hotel, Sydney

User Reviews of Watsons Bay Hotel

Displaying: 1 - 10 of 42 reviews

1.8 Not Recommended

Food 2 Drinks 3 Ambience 2 Service 1 Value 1

Would you pay $22 for fish and chips that are in heated tubs, made hours earlier and left to sit? If so, then Watsons Bay Hotel is the place for you!

The food is dreadful and stale, not to mention massively over-priced. The staff are, as far as I could tell, suffering from severe learning difficulties. One told me that they were out of a wine that I could see in plain sight in the fridge behind him. A bunch of Eastern Suburbs people who couldn't care less about you.

The lighting outside is awful so don't bother ordering food once the sun is down. Oh the view is nice, but Sydney doesn't exactly struggle for good views, they're easy to find and you can have a nice picnic, which is fresh and you didn't pay $22 a head for.

Mar 24, 2012

Chris2010
6

2.2 Not Recommended

Food 2 Drinks 2 Ambience 5 Service 1 Value 1

What a disgusting dirty place with such rude staff!

Food was terrible, possibly the worst I have ever had. The fresh prawns were anything but fresh, defrosted and slimy would best describe them. Drinks were over priced, glasses were dirty.

Service doesn't seem to exist in this place. No friendly greetings, thank you, or even aknowledgement. Our over flowing drinks were slammed down on the bar, so we were left to carry wet glasses to our table (also dirty).

I came here last year for a wedding and it was amazing. I don't know what happened, but I will never be back, I've had better experiences in a food court.

Feb 20, 2012

Elise D.
1

9.4 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Drinks 10 Ambience 10 Service 9 Value 8

I am not a local to the Watsons Bay Hotel in that I come regularly, however, I do live locally. I have only visited the hotel in the past with relatives from out of state or on special occasions and have always enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, but would never have given the place 10 out of 10. Today, however, I went down to the hotel with my extended family for an early Christmas lunch and we all agreed, the Watsons Bay Hotel deserves a 10 out of 10 on every scale.

The ‘Harbour Hut’ where meals are collected and prepared has recently been renovated, improving efficiency and quality of the food. We barely waited 15 minutes on a very busy sunny day for our meals (which included 3 steaks!). The bar has been repainted and is looking fresh and very clean, a reflection of the bar tenders pride in their product. Most exciting of all for my 18 year old niece was the new cocktail list, which was being finalised on the day.

I inquired as to where the major changes had come from and was told that there was a new general manager, as well as a new head chef who both had huge plans for the hotel. Going to the Watsons Bay Hotel is a whole new experience now and one which I could enjoy over and over again and I urge everyone to give it a go, you will not be disappointed.

Dec 10, 2011

gmor
1

3.6 Below Average

Food 4 Drinks 4 Ambience 5 Service 2 Value 3

First impression was looks like a lovely place. However, service very poor, too hard for staff to even greet with a smile, food overpriced and not the best I have ever had. Toooo many seagulls all over the place, watched a stack of them attach left over food and smash glasses and plates onto the ground. Patrons had to move from nearby and staff walked pass and did nothing.

Rang down to reception for a different iron as the one we had in our room was disgusting, receptionist was quite hostile about the whole thing brought another iron up that was just as bad, with an attitude to go with it, When packing and making the bed we found a pair of childs dirty socks that weren't any of ours.

Breakfast in the buffet was terrible, lot of the food was undercooked and cold, the coffee was cold and the place was booked out with weddings and they didn't even have enough food on the go for guests, we all waited for at least 15 minutes for staff to bring food out, you would think that knowing there was going to be several wedding parties in for breakfast you would be more organized.

Will definitely not be going back, very disappointed. Also was really surprised for a shared room with loft that the bathroom had a see through blind ridiculous, if it was just one room maybe and on your blog I am sure I read ensuites for this accommodation.

Nov 14, 2011

Dianne F.
1

2.2 Not Recommended

Food 3 Drinks 3 Ambience 3 Service 1 Value 1

Ordered surf and turf on potato rosti with pepper sauce. Rosti were cold and sodden, steak undercooked, scampi aged, no sauce to be found. Staff ambivalent, beers $8. Steak ordinary. Cost $40. Have had better rsl meals. Doyles is no better just more expensive.

Ambience? I watched 3 girls carrying their orders het attacked by sea gulls while staff stood by an watched. Tables dirty, decor aged. You'll do better elsewhere!

Oct 20, 2011

S I.
1

5.6 Average

Food 10 Drinks 2 Ambience 7 Service 4 Value 5

Visited here over the weekend. Food was unreal, what I would have expected from one of the big named restaurants. Service ordering food was ok, bar service not so good. Food slightly over priced for a hotel, but worth spending for an occasional treat. Don't buy bottled beers here, my bottles were only at room temperature and the bar wouldn't replace them. Nice place to go for some great food, and if you're fortunate enough to have a bottomless budget, treat yourself to some warm beers this cold winter!

Jul 26, 2011

GrantZamit
1

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food 10 Ambience 10 Service 8 Value 6

My visit to Watsons Bay was definitely a memorable experience. I came down from the country to see some friends and was really pleasantly surprised by this gem of a place! I had read these reviews and was a bit wary of coming here, but my mum had told me it was not to be missed. And I'm very glad that I came! I was having such a nice afternoon I decided to get a room with my sister and stay the night.

The reception that we found at the desk greeted us with a beaming smile. I particularly asked her name so I could mention her here, look out for Emma if you stay the night. She is delightful and wouldn't stop at anything (I mean anything!) to make sure our stay was nothing less than perfect. My sister and I really appreciated her warmth and hospitality.

As for the food we had, it wasn't the best value for money, but Where in Sydney is these days? And it was yummy enough for us. The bar staff that served us were almost as pleasant as Emma. We had 2 brunette girls, one with glasses that looked as happy as my sister and I to be at Watsons Bay. They were quick, polite and quite charismatic!

This place truly is not to be missed, before dismissing a trip to Watsons Bay based on these reviews remember that most people only write a review when they have had a particularly bad experience and not many people chose to write one when they are pleased with a place. I want to clear this up - "Watto" as the boy in the pub told us, "is the SPOTTO"

Dec 18, 2010

J.HOGAN
1

2.8 Not Recommended

Food 1 Ambience 8 Service 1 Value 1

One of the worst places ever! If it wasn't for the view of the harbor this place would have nothing. The food was terrible, the service non-existent, overpriced and you have to fight the sea gulls off with a base ball bat if you want to eat anything. Forget it, very sad!

Oct 11, 2010

eatmeup
68

2.8 Not Recommended

Food 4 Drinks 4 Ambience 4 Service 1 Value 1

Very Bad! Went here for my 21st lunch with family, was lucky to get a table in the sun. Waited a long time in the line to order food (fair enough they were busy) then after the 1 hour wait for food (and seeing other people eat before us who ordered after) they forgot one of our meals, we ordered two different steaks, they did both wrong. Very disappointed and won't go back! new management has wrecked the great memories I used to have to watsons bay!

Jun 19, 2010