The Riversleigh

Australia , Gippsland and Lakes Region - VIC
BAIRNSDALE, 1 Nicholson St
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100 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

DiongJim

Yes

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2026

Ian

Classic old hotel. Large rooms. Great facilities

Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2026

Verified traveler

Beautiful place with crisp white linen. Very clean

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2026

Spencer

Nice property, good location.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2026

Kathy

Great location so central
Lovely room and breakfast

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2026

Eric

The room was very comfortable and stylish.
The room was also very quiet. We were glad we chose this hotel

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2025

Ingrid

Pretty good

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2025

Chris

Booked at short notice but was pleasantly surprised
Nice rooms friendly staff very nice location
Would happily stay again

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2025

Yoshinori

It was clean and tidy
Breakfast was good.

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2025

Peter

Breakfast could open earlier on the weekend

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2025

Bruno

Un endroit adorable !!! Style victorien intéressant !!!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2025

Kathy

Lovely neat room and staff were friendly and helpful. The bar area was comfortable with a good variety of drinks available .Very convenient to have Tesla destination charging

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Nov 2025

Juan

The room
Was spotless the toiletries were amazing . The staff friendly and extremely helpful .the hotel is close to Raymond island and other amazing spots around Gippsland.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2025

Loraine

Breakfast was spot on. However, I find the bed very uncomfortable. Did not sleep well. Location is good.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Catherine

All fantastic!

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Oct 2025

Bruce

Ambiance was amazing

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

Trang

Beautiful period building. Comfortable bed, lovely garden. Continental breakfast was included but the spread was not just toast and cereal: there was ham, cheese and tomato croissant, crumpets, fresh fruits, yogurts and a coffee machine. Dining and reception area has beautiful decor. The best surprise, not listed in the facilities, was the complimentary EV charger for guests’ use. Will definitely stay again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2025

ronald

The toilet seat cover would not stay upright. The Toilet seat did not fit the toilet bowl. In addition the toilet bowl had a crack. This defect itself spoilt the overall ambiance of the room.
Would have preferred to have had a small built in robe/ cupboard.

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2025

Marie

Looks great inside and has a bar and places to relax. Friendly staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2025

Robyn

Have been staying here for years but not for a long time. Beautiful old home with lovely bedrooms. Close to a great Thai restaurant. Very quiet and sumptuous. Large shower and comfy bed.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2025

Scott

Riversleigh

Riversleigh was a lovely boutique hotel. Renovations and friendly staff were the highlight. Breakfast was well provisioned it was close to good food options.

Partner

4/10

Poor

22 May 2025

Stephen

No contact with staff - no reception office. All transaction done by phone or online. Building and public areas in terrible condition. Room was very drab and in a poor state. Overpriced for what was on offer. Two nights of hell. BEWARE.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 May 2025

Anita

Great value for short stay

1 bedroom apartment was good for
Our family of 2 adults and 2 kids but unfortunately sofa bed in the lounge
Room is broken and terrible to sleep on. Needs to be replaced asap. Amenities were good and everything you need for a night away. Breakfast was good and something for everyone. Overall great value

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2025

Nanette

Just lovely. Like a hug.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

20 Apr 2025

Jill ashall

Needs to sort out access & better signage & lights

Arrived Good Friday and the reception wasnt manned and we were locked outside with no instructions how to access the hotel. I called the telphone number on the reception door inside (another couple let us in to the actual building but we were stuck in the hallway) a key code was then sent to us. This relied on having phone battery which I had been low on after travelling. They couldnt message be before hand as it was a UK number??? I found it alittle disconcerting and if I was a lone traveller I wouldnt have been happy. Also totally screwed if our phones disnt have signal/battery. I was in another annex and if you arrived in the dark then it didnt look part of the hotel. It needs lights, you litterally go through a shared carpark and through a garden gate. No signage or lights very very poor. Once inside the room it was quite nice.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2025

Katherine

Easy access to get into and close to Bairnsdale Oval where we needed to be.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2025

Jennifer

Room was rather small as was the bathroom.. breakfast v good

6/10

Pleasant

08 Mar 2025

Birgit

It is a boutique hotel and very beautiful. We were disappointed with the hospitality as there we no people in reception and it was all closed off - you could only get to your room. Even though it said bar and restaurant, they were not open and we had to find somewhere else to eat. They served cold breakfast, which was nice. The yoghurt and croissants were amazing. Had the bar been open it would have been a totally different experience. Bairnsdale seemed pretty dead and hard to find somewhere to eat but we found a Thai restaurant around the corner from the hotel and that was very nice.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2025

Iain

A beautiful property with so much charm and character

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Nov 2024

Jane

Excellent all round

Leisure

2/10

Poor

20 Oct 2024

Ann

No reception. Grotty. Poorly maintained premises. Very small bathroom in suites. Cheap, damaged furniture. Frayed carpets.

Business Partner

6/10

Pleasant

15 Sep 2024

Louise

Check in/out is digital with reception closed
Being unable to access the main building directly from the out building was inconvenient.
Digital door entry is problematic for some guests (I was woken overnight by a drunk couple yelling/swearing as they were unable to open the external door)
Late complimentary breakfast on weekends which meant I was unable to partake due to timing of work commitments.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

03 Sep 2024

Jenny

Seemed to not get first email with room and access codes. Had to chase it up.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2024

Roland

The message with the access code for the second room was truncated, however a staff member was pivotal to solve the situation

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2024

Amanda

Huge thanks to the staff of this wonderful who went above and beyond to make our trip work

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2024

EVAN

Location was very good. Close to shops, Walk along the river.
Disappointing that the restaurant was closed but we ate at the Thai around the corner. Very good.
We always find that the bed is too hot with a doona.
Blankets are not as convenient but a lot more comfortable

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

06 Apr 2024

Tony

Beautiful residence however very noisy and needs renovation, especially the carpets.

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

03 Apr 2024

Alastair

Zero service. Formal areas closed. Do not go.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Apr 2024

Maryanne

It was disappointing that the bar and restaurant were closed and the lights from the car park to our rooms weren’t on it had a beautiful area outside but because the part lights weren’t on we were not able to sit outside at night and enjoy the garden and swing

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

01 Apr 2024

Philip

No reception, find your own room. Directions were poor, room is at the top of the external staircase. No mention of the fact that there are two external staircases. Easy to fix.
Room was okay, very clean and quiet. Bathroom very small. The toast and cereal breakfast was good. Good fresh coffee from the easy to use machine. Good fruit and yogurt.
On their website there are wonderful pictures of their bar. It is alluring. Looks really good and classy. Was looking forward to having a drink on the delightful adjoining garden terrace. Not only was the bar shut all through our Easter stay, it was locked away so we could not use the adjacent sitting rooms either.
We were very disappointed. The website lies, that alluring bar is not available. If the reason was outside their control they could have texted us and offered a discount but nothing. The website says that you get a wonderful bar, you don’t, the website lies.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2024

Debra

Loved the quiet and peaceful atmosphere and historic feel of Ravensleigh.
Very comfortable and close to many things to see.

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jan 2024

lyn

Unfortunately they had 'staffing issues', hence no reception welcome. A young lady tending bar directed me to read a message giving details to enter the room etc.
Complimentary breakfast consisted of cereal, yogurt, juice, stale bread and croissants. Coffee machine was the only saving grace. As the restaurant was closed due to the staff issues, we had to dine elsewhere, returning at 8.30pm to find the bar and lounge area in closed and in darkness.

Business_and_leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

26 Jan 2024

Tony

For what we had to pay it was not worth it for example the aircon was in a stupid position in the room which was wright next to the bed on the floor

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

30 Dec 2023

Mike

Lovely property but breakfast a bit disappointing- coffee machine broken which was only thing we wanted. Staff nice but bit inexperienced. No welcome area even though it’s a beautiful reception. Plus points were spa bath - great and properly is in great location. Try Cinnamon restaurant next door- fantastic

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2023

Helen

Fsbulous.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Oct 2023

Pinar

A unique and well looked after building.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2023

Lana

Gorgeous property with boutique accommodation, awesome service, afternoon cocktails and continental breakfast. It’s like a retreat in the middle of town. We had a queen room and it was roomy, huge tv, you can order a platter if you wanted too. Really loved staying here.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2023

John

We loved the quite atmosphere, large spacious room and friendly staff in the restaurant for both dinner and breakfast.
Loved the feel of the place old world charm with a modern twist.
what we did not like
1 - the leaking pipes under the bathroom basin
2- the aircon filter was unclean
3- hairdryer was faulty

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

14 Jun 2023

Monica

Good Location

Good location. The room had a passcode which took a bit getting used to. There was a continental breakfast included but we choose the eat out instead as we eat breakfast earlier that the times on offer

Partner

4/10

Poor

11 Jun 2023

Rita

Booking was via internet. All contact was via email or phone. There was no staff on site and that made it an empty experience. did not feel like a luxury event due to lack of personnel.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2023

Edith

The rooms were amazing lovely and clean.
The staff were so helpful and friendly.
Great breakfast also many thanks Edith and Charlie

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2023

Window

Breakfast was wonderful and fantastic supportive staff in the dining area in particular! Thank you 😊

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2023

Robert

Huge room with very comfy bed. The breakfast buffet was served in a beautifully decorated room. Not your usual boxes cornflakes etc but instead several choices of cereal, fresh fruits, breads and crumpet. Even a self serve latte/espresso/cappuccino machine.
Would definitely stay again.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

02 Mar 2023

Brendan

No reception on site. No restaurant as advertised. Building is undergoing renovations and hasn’t been completed yet still renting out rooms. It’s the most expensive in town yet only offers a continental breakfast and no fox tv.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2023

Cathy

Beautiful gardens. A good base to explore the town.

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2022

BIMAL

Nice old charm
Wonderful staff

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Dec 2022

Verified traveler

Unwelcome!

An unwelcoming and inhospitable arrival
No one to greet or check you in. Telephone contact made with some difficulty to get access codes. No manager or person with authority available. Entered through a rear door into a cold dirty hallway. Room generally well- equipped and comfortable once it had warmed up. Breakfast good and served by friendly staff. Overall we felt dissatisfied and that it was expensive for what it was.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Nov 2022

Geoff

we loved the character of the building, its a shame they haven't used more heritage features in the decorating, we had a pleasant stay

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2022

Amir

Wonderfull

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2022

Jacob

Lovely hotel with strong historic charm. Bairnsdale was a small but surprisingly charming little town. We had technical difficulties checking in as we were never sent the access codes and instruction. The entire hotel seemed to be run by only one exceptionally hard working staff member, but she was very friendly and helpful.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2022

Maria

Perfect location, great facilities and attentive service. Could not fault this accommodation.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

25 Sep 2022

Madhavik

It was an amazing stay over the long weekend.

We had a great time but issue was no staff being present on site. We need some toiletries, charges etc which can’t even ask for as no staff on site. Also room 2119 had a clear bathroom window with no blind cover. I know that it’s private property and there is a big tree behind the window. But window coverings or frosting would be nice. Also little bit of clarity that “it’s all service yourself buffet breakfast” would be good too!

Apart from that overall room, cleanliness, quietness ease of checking once you get the digital stuff sorted was pretty easy.

Overall 4/5.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

13 Aug 2022

Jeanette

Stayed here as I really wanted a spa room and it was the only place that had one available. Just did a search online and the rest was easy. Loved the fact that it was so close to Coles and other shops. The check-in was all via text as there were no staff around. I had a code for the external door and my room and it was reasonably easy. The bed was plush and very comfortable. Everything worked well. View was great. Thought that there could have been more power points in certain places (ie under the main window or the hanging space) and one with a USB port would be good as the tv is up high and could be difficult to get to. Thought the draught stopper was an excellent idea as there is quite a gap under the door.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

28 Jul 2022

Brett

The was a dead cockroach on the table
The breakfast was delivered and not in the dining room. Expensive for what we got.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2022

Kate

This was an absolute amazing stay. The staff are great and the rooms are fantastic certainly exceed my expectations. Will definitely stay again

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2022

Derek

Wonderful Riversleigh

We had a wonderful 3 night stay and couldn’t have been better especially Belinda giving us Gr8 local eatery options and looking after us at breakfast as well/much appreciated and above her call of duty

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2022

andrew

What a lovely place to stay. The room was clean and very comfortable. Breakfast was lovely and plenty of it - lovely breakfast rooms too. The staff were very friendly and helpful - would definitely stay again.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2022

Carol

This Majestic old girl

The Riversleigh was one of the most beautiful places I have stayed. This majestic old building was very well kept for its age. The room was cozy and bed was very comfortable. The breakfast was very satisfying. Will definitely stay again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2022

Margaret

A very comfortable place to stay, quiet but within easy walking distance of shops and places to eat.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2022

Anna

Lovely building beautiful rooms spacious comfortable will be back

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

14 Mar 2022

Gary

I have stayed at this place several times. Its a grand old building in excelent condition.
The breakfasts is presented very enticingly.
Its a short walk into town or for a walk along the river.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Mar 2022

Suzanne

It was an old building so it is not new and found the shower tiles were not laid properly but apart from that it was lovely

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2022

Pam

Beautiful location with friendly staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2022

Arbi

Fabulous!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2022

Ken

Remains very comfortable and quiet. Be aware, however, that apart from breakfast (when one member of staff is on duty) the place is now run essentially by remote control, through text messages and phone calls to friendly administrators. If you need (or simply want the presence of) staff beyond the breakfast shift, you're likely out of luck.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2022

Tami

Staff was amazing and the property is beautiful. Would definitely stay there again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2022

Kevin

It was good, Thank you.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jan 2022

Hosim Prasai

Beautiful and unique property with great services! Lovely continental breakfast!

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

07 Jan 2022

Trish

Needed to be renovated

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2022

GEORGIOS

Great property next to the park and walking distance from everything.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2022

Russell

The high ceilings, the character of the building, friendly helpful staff, very clean, comfortable bed.
What I didn’t like was booking online.

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2022

Heather

Lovely setting next to Mitchell river.
We arrived in 38oC heat, air con worked well.
I prefer face to face contact but there were no staff, all contactless entry - instructions and room code via text.
Dissapointed at small size of room which wasnt reflected in photis.
Very clean and comfortable. Large shower.
Beautifully appointed breakfast room and continental bfast was very good.
Stairs to room were painful.
Would ask for larger room on bottom floor next time.
Nice experience generally.
Very expensive for one night ($380) for what we paid for.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2021

Michael

Loved the historical feel and period setting

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2021

Will

Excellent accommodation

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Dec 2021

Michael

Loved the size of the room. It was massive. Asked for the body wash to be refilled, and it never happened my entire stay which was disappointing for the price you pay.
I would stay again.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

11 Dec 2021

Mark

Check in, no one on site and no one answering phone, left waiting 50 minutes to check in. Had to call after hours number during business hours to get hold of anyone

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2021

Rodney

Comfort, location and surroundings

A lovely three night stay to explore the attractions of East Gippsland and visit the Archibald. A great central spot to go east and west, and explore the lakes.

The room was large and very comfortable, with easy and secure access via via number pad. Attractive garden provided a great spot for post travel drinks before dinner.

The Riversleigh is a group of three victorian terraces joined into a beautiful and comfortable residence.

Central location with Cinnamon Thai Restaurant a very short walk away (and excellent) and close to hotels and the shopping centre.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Very quiet and close to town. Breakfast was more than enough.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Im not happy about hands off management. Guests are expected to check emails for info and even this info is hard to follow. There is noone present at rhe establishment, no human interaction. Cafe staff at breakfast were busy and efficient, but not expected to lift the atmosphere at all. The room was comfortable and warm. It had everything we needed. Its a dark room though unlike the photo. Night lighting is poor and there are dangerous potholes in the carpark which cant be seen at night. As this is the only passage to restaurants etc it needs thought.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

Water pressure low.
Belinda is an exceptional hostess.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

Centrally located but the shower was awful no pressure, only entry was from the back of the car park to a upstairs back outdoor staircase which was dark and hard to find. Disappointing overall as this was the executive suite.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

I love this place. I’m in Bairnsdale for work and staying here is so comfortable. Beds amazing. Clean and yummy biscuits to have with a cuppa. Feels like home away from home.

Business Self

4/10

Poor

11 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

I received an anonymous text message saying the pre check in registration has not been completed please click on the link. Everyone knows NEVER to click on links to avoid scams. Would have been better if the message mentioned the name of the hotel! Needless to say the form was unnecessary and inconvenient to fill out on ones phone whilst driving.... total time waster, despite covid and all the precautions that must be taken.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2021

Frederick

Best thing in Bairnsdale

Very comfortable, good size room, all facilities well provided for. Good breakfast.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2021

Prakash

Was lovely... very close to town centre and reasonably priced hotel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

The accommodation is so comfortable. Beautiful beds and really lovely rooms. The breakfast that is provided is perfect and served in a gorgeous dining room overlooking the garden. It feels like home away from home.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2021

terry

Pleasant place to stay

A very pleasant place to stay . easy parking , nice breakfast , not crowded , close to everything

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Feb 2021

Verified traveler

Great location. 2 smaller chairs would be better than 1 big one for 2 people. More wardrobe space needed.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jan 2021

Suzanne

Riversleigh is a lovely historic place to stay with plenty of old world charm. It’s situated in the heart of Bairnsdale which is very helpful so a stroll to the shops was no bother. The staff were friendly and bright and my included breakfast was delicious.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

14 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

Pleasant surroundings, more care needed in the garden areas - pot plants dead. Staff overworked, rooms often not made up until late afternoon- not always stocked correctly. Breakfast we’re delicious.

Leisure