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Novotel Barossa Valley Resort

Home > South Australia > Kids | Family | Escape the City | Accommodation | Wineries
by Lydia C. Lee (subscribe)
Lydia C. Lee is still trying to work out what to do with her one wild and precious life. She currently is a haphazard blogger. Read more at holidazeandhellidaze.blogspot.com.au or www.pandoraandmax.blogspot.com
Published January 16th 2014
Free fun for kids, holiday peace for grown ups
If you are hitting the vineyards with kids, you need to choose your accommodation carefully. You need just enough bribes to get thee good behaviour at the tastings, then return to the hotel and let the kids have 'their turn'. If these treats are free, even better!



The Novotel offers two bedroom apartment style accommodation with a kitchenette and dining table, so if you are on a budget, you can eat in the room sometime. There's also barbeque facilities near the pool, which proved popular.



The common spaces and activities are what makes this hotel good. Everything comes with a spectacular view of the rolling hills and vineyards.



The pool is large and slightly heated, with plenty of deck chairs and shade clothes. There are some pool toys thrown in for good measure.



There is a children's playground for younger children, and for the under sevens, an indoor play area.



On top of the tennis courts, there is ping pong, volleyball, badminton and giant chess. There is also the very civilised croquet, which seems to be the popular sport in the vineyards. All with magnificent views, to please the adult roped into the sporting activities or supervision.



The Novotel also has a policy that children under 12 eat free with adults, which can make quite a difference if breakfast wasn't included in the room.



It's not all about the kids though, there is free wine tasting each night, in case you needed to try a few more tipples from the region. I don't need to mention there is a golf course on site too, and of course, a day spa.



The hotel itself is well located, with all the vineyards and towns about 10 minutes away, no matter which direction you're heading (though some are closer, obviously!)



One word of warning, we were charged $45 per night for the extra bed in our room, which I was not aware of, so got quite a shock when it was added to the bill on check out. It may've been in the fine print on booking by my attention wasn't drawn to it, or I somehow failed to see it. If you have built it into your budget, it's not a big deal, but if you stay 4 or 5 nights, it's quite a shock if you aren't expecting it.

We had a great stay here, and would recommend the resort style hotel for any families that want to enjoy the wine region with the kids in tow.

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Why? Great hotel for families. Great value and plenty of free fun!
When: Anytime
Phone: 08 8524 0000
Where: 42 Pioneer Avenue, via Golf Links Rd, Rowland Flats
Cost: Varies on room
Your Comment
If you go to the Barossa Valley go for a drive to Williamstown to the Barossa Reservoir to its Whispering Wall. There is specially fenced areas at each end agains the wall. You can talk to a person the other end and hear them clearly. It is the only one in the Southern Hemsiphere and one of two in the World. The other one is in Sweden. There is a picnic area there. As far as I know on the road into the Reservoir there is a well patronised cafe on the right side. It is closed on High Fire Risk Days but as far as I know it is open 7 days a week except Christmas Day. I don't know if there is any other exceptions. I haven't been there for a few years but it's one outing I will never forget.
by r.eng (score: 3|1023) 1971 days ago
Cool, now I know where to stay! Love the vegie patch in the bath and the kids play area. Looking forward to the rest of your articles on your trip.
by ROF (score: 2|313) 3438 days ago
Unless it has been changed some of the activities are not available on weekends
by r.eng (score: 3|1023) 659 days ago
I'm sure they don't change the sheets every day so $45.00 extra per night is a bit steep.
by r.eng (score: 3|1023) 529 days ago
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