Hotel:  The Sebel Kiama Harbourside

Location:  Kiama, New South Wales – Australia

Room:  Deluxe Room 1 King Bed Harbour View

Perfect for: Beach holiday & Relaxing weekend stay

Category:  Contemporary, 4.5 star

When deciding on where to stay in Kiama, we came across the Sebel Kiama Harbourside which was perfect for us as we’re platinum Le Club members at Accor Hotels. The hotel is perfectly situated in Kiama, on the harbour and within walking distance to the Kiama Blowhole and the historic terrace shops.

Our welcome experience…

Upon arrival, we were met by Tanya who checked us in, made us feel welcome and gave us a few suggestions on what was on over the weekend, where to go and what to see.

Our room was also available for an early check in which was an added bonus!

The Room…

We stayed in a Deluxe King Bed Harbour View room. The room was spacious and flowed out to a very large patio overlooking the harbour.

The beauty of the Sebel is that all of the rooms are self-contained, meaning there is a kitchenette in each of the rooms, should you wish to do a bit of cooking during your stay. There is, of course, a small dining table and lounge in the room as well.

The king size bed was very comfortable, as were the pillows! There is nothing nicer than enjoying a great nights sleep after spending the day on your feet seeing the sights.

To top off the great start to the holiday, shortly after settling in, Tanya knocked on the door and offered us a bottle of sparkling, on ice with a couple of glasses – such a nice touch!

Meals…

Breakfast was located in the Quarry Room, which boasts 180-degree views of Kiama Harbour! To compliment the lovely views, the breakfast was a buffet with a barista on hand for any special orders.

The staff were very attentive, they ensured the buffet was always topped up, and the fruit was refreshingly fresh.

The Sebel has one option for dinner on site, and that is at the Blue Diamond Bar & Bistro. I must admit, when we walked down to the bistro, we weren’t expecting a sports bar atmosphere, but if you’re looking for a casual meal in a sports bar, then this place would be great. We visited on a Saturday night and the place was packed, there were plenty of people there to watch the game.

The food came out quickly, we ordered some chicken wings, a beef burger and steak sandwich and the food was okay, not what I expected from a hotel bistro. The venue seems popular with the locals, great spot for lunch, however as a treat for dinner, I would suggest looking at a few of the other local restaurants as well.

Health and Fitness…

There is one word that sums up the gym at the Sebel.  WOW!!! One Fitness is located in the basement of the Sebel. I wasn’t expecting such an amazing gym in such a small town, let alone in a hotel. This gym has absolutely everything from cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, an ‘outdoor’ weight section, classes and a boxing ring!

As a guest at the Sebel, you can get a 2-hour pass from reception to use the facilities.

If you’re someone who likes to stay active while on holidays, you might find this article helpful.

You can also hire bikes from the hotel, this is great if you enjoy a casual bike ride along the harbour.

Hotel Grounds

The hotel grounds are lovely and a mixture between contemporary and historic. The gardens that lead you down to the Quarry Room for breakfast are well maintained and the foyer welcoming.

Good to know…

The hotel offers free parking for all guests. There are several levels of parking and not once did we have a problem finding a car park.

Checking out…

Our check out was quick and easy. Tanya asked where we were heading to after Kiama (which was Sydney via Wollongong) and happily suggested lunch spots in Wollongong for us. Tanya certainly provided above and beyond service!

Above and beyond…

Tanya went out of her way to make us feel welcome. By telling us about the free transport to the wine festival or by letting us know about the Sunday markets that are held on the harbourside. It is those extra touches, especially the bottle of sparkling, that makes visiting a hotel special.

The not so good…

The only negative I have about our stay at the Sebel was our dining experience at the Blue Diamond Bar & Bistro. I wouldn’t recommend a nice meal there for two. However, if you’re in a group and looking for a nice casual night with a few drinks, then the Bistro would be a great spot!

The verdict…

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Sebel Harbourside Kiama. We will be staying at this hotel when we next visit Kiama.

Do you have travel insurance?

Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.

Alternative accommodation

If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust