Little known B&B named Australia’s best accommodation

THIS humble bed and breakfast in a coastal spot unknown to most Australians has just become the most talked about accommodation in the country.

Busselton, less that three hours south of Perth, is home to Australia’s favourite place to stay on holiday. Picture: Tourism Western Australia

THIS humble bed and breakfast in a coastal spot unknown to most Australians has become the most talked about hotel in the country.

Baudins of Busselton, on the southwestern tip of Western Australia, has been rated by travellers as the best place to stay in Australia, according to hotel search website Trivago.

With an index score of 95.10 based on used ratings and reviews, Baudins moved from second place in last year’s ranking to take out the 2017 title.

It beat the 2016 winner, Beachfront Apartments on Queensland’s famous Trinity Beach, which came second this year with a score of 95.01. Lurline House in Katoomba, in NSW’s Blue Mountains, came third with 94.91.

Baudins is run by husband-and-wife team Linda and Greg Leuzzi.

 

There are only four rooms, all modern and fully equipped. Linda and Greg also live on the premises and cook their guests a full and hearty meal each morning.

It’s thoughtful touches like this that may help explain the humble B&B’s incredible appeal, Linda told news.com.au.

“I guess our success has been due to the fact that we enjoy our business and people are made to feel very welcome,” she said.

“We’re very helpful and we show people the best of the region and we ask them what they want to see and do around town and offer advice.

 

“I think it’s good service — we’re not strict with the check in at 12, check out at 10 business, and ultimately our rooms are spotless. I wouldn’t offer my guests anything less.

“One really good formula we have is the communal breakfast: I can be quite the conversationalist and I’ll get people talking, and sometimes we’ll have people all over the world eating together — sometimes four continents on one table.”

Visitors from as far as Japan, Norway and the Czech Republic are among the guests at Baudins, as well as holidaying Aussies and regular clientele, drawn to Busselton’s white-sandy sheltered beach and historic jetty.

 

The city is about 220km south of Perth, and part of WA’s world famous Margaret River wine region.

“A lot of people come to see the jetty and the beach is quite unspoilt and not crowded, and it’s the beginning of the Margaret River region here, and quite frankly a lot of the main attractions are up this end,” Linda said.

Baudins was purpose built 10 years ago, and is only a 10-minute walk from the Busselton town centre and a five-minute walk to the coast.

There are no outrageous bells and whistles here, but Linda said she and her husband were constantly looking at ways to improve the experience and comfort for their guests.

 

“We get asked what our secret is and we had never done this before — we both had other professions — so we say nothing, there’s no secret, other than being friendly, offering value for money, and being flexible and friendly,” she said.

“That’s what the customer wants and we’re always open to suggestions.”

Trivago drew the best hotels list from 175 million traveller ratings across more than 250 online booking sites, and analysed hotels with more than 300 reviews.

Trivago has also released its 2017 ranking for the best-rated destination in Australia, which was claimed by Stanley, on the northwest coast of Tasmania.

Those results were drawn from regions with at least 12 hotels and a total of 1000 combined reviews or more.

TRIVAGO AWARDS 2017

Top 10 hotels

1. Baudins of Busselton B&B, WA: 95.10

2. Beachfront Apartments on Trinity Beach, QLD: 95.01

3. Lurline House, NSW: 94.91

4. Grand Mercure Basildene Manor, WA: 94.26

5. Sea Change Beachfront Apartments, QLD: 94.05

6. Windradyne Boutique Bed & Breakfast, NSW: 93.86

7. Potters Oceanside Motel, QLD: 93.71

8. Ballarat Premier Apartments, VIC: 93.70

9. ADGE Apartment Hotel, NSW: 93.69

10. Grand Vue Private, TAS: 93.66

Top 10 destinations

1. Stanley, TAS: 88.64

2. Montville, QLD: 88.46

3. Yallingup, WA: 87.43

4. North Tamborine, QLD: 87.28

5. McLaren Vale, SA: 87.03

6. Beechworth, VIC: 86.74

7. Stanthorpe, QLD: 86.53

8. Marysville, VIC: 86.43

9. Maleny, QLD: 86.20

10. Pokolbin, NSW: 86.09