Bendigo-36.75847800,
144.28030100,
Cnr Pall Mall & Williamson Street(Show on Map)
7.9
Good
➔
➔
Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsThe Hotel Shamrock in Bendigo is largely celebrated by its guests for several standout attributes, making it a charming and valued choice for many travelers.
The hotel’s prime location is a significant draw, nestled in the heart of Bendigo and within walking distance to the city’s main attractions, historic sites and vibrant cultural precincts. Guests frequently highlight the convenience of its proximity to restaurants, cafes, shops and the art gallery, as well as its positioning opposite the Town Hall which enhances its historic appeal. The central location allows easy access to festivals, markets, parks, gardens and sightseeing spots, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
Breakfast at The Hotel Shamrock receives a mix of reviews with many praising the quality of specific dishes such as scrambled eggs and the muesli breakfast bowl. The selection is generally considered good and reasonably priced and the bistro downstairs is noted for its accessible and good food, complemented by quality coffee. However, some guests express concerns about the limited variety, slow service and occasional issues with presentation and staff shortages.
Dinner service also has its ups and downs, but many guests find the food delightful with frequent praise for dishes like fish and chips. The bistro and hotel restaurant offer enjoyable options and the Yard Bird bar adds to the dining experience with live music. Despite some critiques about slow service, overcooked dishes and limited menu options, especially for vegetarians and seniors, the overall dining atmosphere and meal quality earn commendations.
The rooms at The Hotel Shamrock are generally appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. Many guests praise the luxurious and atmospheric heritage style of the accommodations, though there are mentions of the need for updates and maintenance in certain areas. Despite occasional complaints about the beds, water pressure and air-conditioning units, the comfortable and well-appointed rooms contribute significantly to positive guest experiences.
Cleanliness is a strong point for the hotel with most guests finding their rooms spotlessly clean and well-maintained. Occasional issues like dusty areas and dirty carpets are noted, but overall, the hygiene standards of the hotel are well-regarded.
The staff at The Hotel Shamrock are frequently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating, contributing to an overall pleasant stay. While there are occasional mentions of slow service and disinterested staff, particularly in the restaurant, the positive interactions with the personnel are a highlight for many guests.
The free Wi-Fi service at the hotel is somewhat inconsistent with mixed feedback regarding its reliability and speed. Some guests appreciate the free service, but others encounter issues with logging on and slow speeds.
Parking facilities receive mixed reviews as well. While some guests appreciate the secure parking options and reasonable costs, the lack of dedicated on-site parking presents inconveniences, especially during busy times and public holidays.
The beds at The Hotel Shamrock are mostly praised for their comfort and cleanliness, contributing to a good night’s sleep. The occasional negative remarks about bed quality are outweighed by the positive feedback on the size and condition of the beds.
Rating-wise, the hotel delivers a solid three-star experience, meeting the standard expectations for accommodations and amenities. It provides a reliable, mid-level hotel experience with competent services. Accessibility features are well-noted with amenities such as accessible bathrooms and an elevator to the third floor enhancing convenience for guests with disabilities, though minor improvements could further enhance the experience.
The Hotel Shamrock’s historic charm is a significant appeal with its well-preserved Victorian style and heritage-listed status offering guests an authentic and nostalgic experience of Bendigo’s rich history. Features like beautiful colored glass windows, a grand staircase, high ceilings and a stunning tiled foyer contribute to its Old World charm.
Overall, The Hotel Shamrock combines a prime location, historical charm, comfortable accommodations and friendly service to offer a delightful stay for travelers in Bendigo, despite a few areas that could benefit from improvements. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Historic Hotel
A grand 19th-century hotel established in 1854 during the gold rush, the Shamrock is a major architectural landmark in Bendigo. It has been central to the city's history, serving as a mining exchange and hosting notable guests including royalty.
Accessible Hotel
This historic hotel includes at least one accessible room designed for wheelchair users within its luxury room options. It also provides a lift for accessing different levels.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Standard Queen RoomThis air-conditioned room is fitted with a fridge, ironing equipment and a flat-screen TV.
Rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Please note there is no capacity for additional guests.
Superior Double or Twin RoomThis spacious, air-conditioned room is fitted a fridge, ironing equipment and a flat-screen TV.
Rooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 (see Hotel Policies).
Executive Queen RoomThis luxurious room offers a flat-screen TV, a fridge and ironing equipment. Some rooms have a spa bath.
Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 (see Hotel Policies).
Family RoomThis spacious, air-conditioned room is fitted a fridge, ironing equipment and a flat-screen TV.
Please note that the price is based on 4 guests. Maximum occupancy is 6 (see Hotel Policies).
King Suite With SpaThis suite features an en suite bathroom with spa bath. Offers views of the original post office and the famous Alexandra Fountain.
Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 4 (see Hotel Policies).
One-Bedroom SuiteThis one-bedroom suite features views of Williamson Street. Offers a separate sitting area.
Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 4 (see Hotel Policies).
Deluxe Family RoomThe family room is fitted with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, an electric kettle, as well as heating. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Bendigo, The Hotel Shamrock boasts a truly enviable location that receives frequent praise from its guests. Its central position means visitors can effortlessly explore the city's main attractions, historic sites and vibrant cultural precincts, all within walking distance. Proximity to restaurants, cafes, shops and the art gallery makes it an ideal choice for tourists. Many guests highlight the convenience of its close vicinity to transport, adding to the hotel’s appeal. The historic charm of the building, paired with its prime location opposite the Town Hall, offers visitors a delightful experience steeped in heritage. The hotel’s positioning right in the city's central area allows easy access to the festival venues, markets, parks, gardens and sightseeing spots, ensuring guests can make the most of their stay in Bendigo. Overall, The Hotel Shamrock's perfect location and beautiful historical features make it an excellent base for exploring the city.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Hotel Shamrock has received a mix of feedback from its guests. Many appreciated the breakfast, describing it as lovely, great and delicious. The scrambled eggs, in particular, stood out as the best ever for some visitors with eggs cooked to perfection according to requests and the muesli breakfast bowl in the café was also highlighted as excellent.
Several guests noted the good selection and reasonable pricing, appreciating the variety available and the bistro downstairs was recognized for its accessible and good food. Good coffee was also frequently mentioned as a positive aspect. Some found the breakfast packs provided by the hotel to be a nice touch.
However, there were criticisms about the limited options and lack of variety in the breakfast menu with specific mentions of no cereals, fruit or just toast with jam. The service speed was another point of concern with some guests frustrated by slow breakfast service, especially those who had time constraints. Instances of poor presentation and issues stemming from staff shortages further dampened the experience for some.
In summary, while many guests enjoyed and praised the breakfast at The Hotel Shamrock, especially the quality of certain dishes, there were notable issues regarding menu variety, service speed and communication about availability that left some guests less satisfied.
Dinner
Dinner experiences at The Hotel Shamrock have been a mixed bag, but there's a lot to admire about the dining options. Many guests found the food delightful with frequent praise for delicious meals, especially dishes like fish and chips. The bistro and the hotel's own restaurant were often highlighted as good, serving freshly cooked meals ordered at the counter. Positive notes were given to both the taste and the quality of the food in various locations, including the Yard Bird bar, which also offered enjoyable live music.
Some guests loved their dining experiences, describing meals as excellent and delicious. The bistro was frequently mentioned as a solid choice with great pub food that left no room for complaints. The food at the Shamrock restaurant itself was described as wonderful and satisfying by several reviewers.
However, the dining experiences weren't universally positive. Some guests experienced slow service, overcooked dishes or meals that lacked flavor. There were mentions of disappointing and even disastrous meal experiences with issues such as meals being sent back to the kitchen, items missing from dishes and limited menu options, particularly for vegetarians and seniors. There were also some comments about the restaurant staff being unfriendly and the service not meeting expectations.
Despite these criticisms, the cozy atmosphere of the ground floor restaurant and the broad selection of dinner options seemed to strike a chord with many diners. The hotel also faced challenges like restaurant closures due to COVID-19, which impacted guests' experiences.
In summary, while The Hotel Shamrock's dinner service receives high marks for its savory offerings and enjoyable dining venues, some inconsistencies in service and meal preparation suggest there is room for improvement.
Rooms
The Hotel Shamrock boasts a variety of room options with many guests praising their comfortable, spacious and clean accommodations. Several reviews highlight the large, well-presented rooms that are consistently kept clean and some guests enjoyed the luxurious and atmospheric heritage style of the rooms with beautiful old-style windows and ceilings.
Despite these positive remarks, there are several mentions of rooms needing updates or maintenance with some guests pointing out issues such as dirty or worn-out carpets, faulty showers and outdated decor. Room size varies significantly with some guests finding their rooms spacious and ideal for longer stays, while others felt cramped, especially for two occupants.
While most guests found the rooms to be comfortable and well-appointed with enough amenities like tea, coffee and a well-stocked mini bar, there were occasional complaints about the beds, water pressure in showers and malfunctioning air-conditioning units. Some rooms were noted to be quiet and perfect for resting with large windows enhancing the open feel, while others lacked character or were described as hot and in need of better design.
Overall, the hotel rooms are generally appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness, but updating and maintenance in certain areas could enhance the guest experience further.
Beds
The feedback from guests at The Hotel Shamrock highlights an overall positive experience with the beds. Guests frequently noted that the beds were comfortable with many describing them as very comfy or even luxuriously comfortable. The size of the beds was also appreciated with mentions of large and king-sized options adding to the comfort.
Cleanliness was another commonly praised aspect with beds being consistently described as clean. The updated and well-maintained beds further contributed to a pleasant sleeping experience for many visitors.
However, some reviews did point out issues with bed quality, such as broken springs, dips and mattresses that were either too soft or too hard. There were occasional remarks about bed size being unusual and a lack of adequate support. Despite these few negative comments, the prevailing opinion is that the beds at The Hotel Shamrock generally offer a good night's sleep and add to the overall comfort of the stay.
Cleanliness
The Hotel Shamrock receives overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the cleanliness of its rooms. Guests frequently note that their rooms were clean and well-maintained, often describing them as spotlessly clean, very clean and immaculate. Many travelers appreciated the inviting and comfortable atmosphere of their accommodations with clean and fresh bathrooms adding to their satisfaction. The cleanliness of the facilities, including the pools and general areas, was also highlighted favorably by many guests.
However, there are sporadic mentions of issues such as dusty areas, dirty carpets and bathrooms that needed more attention. Some specific complaints include water damage, dirty tableware left behind and occasional lapses in maintenance. Despite these few negative remarks, the general consensus leans heavily towards the hotel's ability to provide a clean and comfortable stay, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing hygiene and tidiness during their travels.
Staff
The reviews for The Hotel Shamrock highlight a general consensus of outstanding customer service, particularly toward the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. The front desk and reception staff consistently received high praise for their accommodating and welcoming demeanor. Words used frequently in reviews include friendly, helpful, attentive and accommodating. Guests mentioned that the staff worked hard and provided exceptional service, often going above and beyond to make stays enjoyable.
Additionally, the hotel received commendation for specific instances of exceptional service, such as the attentive bar staff who crafted delicious cocktails and the breakfast server who managed admirably under pressing circumstances. The hotel management was noted as being particularly helpful with several mentions of the manager's positive impact on their experiences.
However, the reviews did identify occasional drawbacks, such as slow service and instances where staff appeared bored or disinterested, particularly in the restaurant. Despite these few critiques, the predominant sentiment conveyed through the reviews underscores the staff's dedication to delivering a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.
Overall, the positive and warm interactions with the hotel's personnel significantly contributed to many guests' enjoyment, making the human element one of the highlights of staying at The Hotel Shamrock.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi experience at The Hotel Shamrock has received mixed feedback from guests. While some guests noted that the Wi-Fi worked well and appreciated the free Wi-Fi service, others found it to be unreliable with issues such as difficulty logging in and slow speeds. Coverage quality was often described as poor and spotty with some guests unable to get the Wi-Fi to work at all. Additionally, a few reviews mentioned the Wi-Fi signal being inconsistent and unsecured. Overall, while the hotel does offer free Wi-Fi, its performance appears to be hit-or-miss with room for improvement in terms of reliability and speed.
Parking
Guests at The Hotel Shamrock have shared mixed feedback about the hotel's parking facilities. On the positive side, there is mention of secure parking options that work well and provide peace of mind. Many guests appreciated the option of free parking, especially on weekends and noted that the nearby council car park offers a convenient and safe alternative at a reasonable cost. For those traveling with bicycles, the free secure lockup was a plus.
However, there were several drawbacks noted. The hotel does not have its own dedicated parking, which some found inconvenient. This often led guests to find parking either in a nearby multi-level commercial car park or around the block, both of which could be tricky and sometimes involved a fee. Some guests also highlighted early parking restrictions and limited availability of parking spots, which could be a hassle, especially on public holidays when some options were unavailable. Overall, while there are secure and reasonably priced parking options around the hotel, the lack of on-site parking and the need for planning can pose challenges for guests.
3 Star
The Hotel Shamrock presents a solid three-star experience that accurately matches its rating. Guests can expect a standard level of accommodations and amenities with a comfortable yet unremarkable feel that aligns well with its three-star classification. Facilities such as room service, while only available until 8 pm on weekends, are competent enough to meet basic needs for a short stay. Overall, it provides a satisfactory option for travelers looking for a reliable, mid-level hotel experience.
Accessible
The Hotel Shamrock, a beautifully preserved historical gem, offers notable accessibility features that make it a convenient choice for guests with disabilities. The central location of the hotel adds to its appeal, allowing easy access to various attractions and amenities around the city. Guests appreciated the accessible bathroom facilities in the rooms and the availability of an elevator that reaches the third floor, enhancing the building's overall accessibility.
The bistro downstairs is accessible and invites guests to enjoy a meal without hassle. The lift, available for accessing various floors, was particularly valued by guests and contributed significantly to the ease of moving in and out of the hotel.
However, some guests noted challenges, such as a few steps at the entrance and from the carpark, which can be difficult to navigate, especially with luggage. While the front desk staff received mixed reviews regarding their responsiveness, there were mentions of friendly and helpful receptionist interactions, contributing to a generally welcoming atmosphere.
Overall, The Hotel Shamrock presents a good blend of historical charm and modern accessibility, catering well to guests with disabilities, though some minor improvements could further enhance the experience.
Historic
The Hotel Shamrock stands as a testament to Bendigo’s rich history, offering guests an authentic glimpse into the past with its well-preserved Victorian style and heritage-listed status. Renowned for its historical importance, the hotel has maintained many of its original features, including beautiful coloured glass windows, a grand staircase, high ceilings and a stunning tiled foyer. The sense of Old World charm is palpable throughout the building, further accentuated by its iconic status as a landmark in Bendigo.
Visitors are often captivated by the beautiful architecture and historical ambience that oozes from every corner of this establishment. The hotel's historical significance is heightened by having hosted royals such as Prince Charles and Lady Diana, adding a noteworthy charm to the site.
The Hotel Shamrock’s location is steeped in heritage, making it a central point for those interested in the history of Bendigo. Every element of the building - from the large doors to the nostalgic look of the exterior - speaks to its past glory. Guests frequently express their admiration for the well-maintained historic features and the authentic old feel that modern hotels often lack.
Reviews often highlight the hotel's ability to make visitors feel like a part of Bendigo's history with its historical photographs and charming old-world character. The heritage building is not just a place to stay but a portal into another era, making it a fantastic choice for those who appreciate historical beauty and significance.
No, The Hotel Shamrock doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Hotel Shamrock.
No, The Hotel Shamrock doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Hotel Shamrock.