Craig's Royal Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (2438 reviews)
10 Lydiard Street South , Ballarat , au

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Children allowed

Facilities

Electric bicycle charging station
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Room service
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Facilities for disabled guests
Non-smoking throughout
Wheelchair accessible
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Charming atmosphere
Friendly service
Good location
Cons:
Noisy room
Slow restaurant service
Poor food quality

Categories

Cleanliness
8.24
Room complaints about temperature and noise suggest areas needing improvement.
Service
9.21
Staff were friendly, but service was slow in the restaurant.
Location
9.25
Great location in the city center, close to attractions.
Room Quality
8.2
Rooms reported as uncomfortable with issues like noise and broken amenities.
Amenities
9.23
Good amenities were noted, including bath spa and historical decor.
Value for Money
8.19
Given the complaints about specific meal quality, value could be deemed less than expected.
Food and Beverage
7.74
Disappointment in food quality and meal delays noted.
Overall Experience
8.71
Overall charm and historical ambiance provide a satisfactory experience despite some issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 22:47

Property Description

Elegant Boutique Rooms
Experience luxury at Craig's Royal Hotel with boutique-style rooms featuring elegant furnishings and modern amenities. Each room is equipped with a personal safe, work desk, flat-screen TV, and a marble bathroom for your comfort and convenience.

Dining and Entertainment
Indulge in exquisite dining options at the hotel's restaurant, offering delicious lunch and dinner menus. Don't miss the chance to savor a delightful high tea experience every Sunday from 14:00 onwards.

Convenient Location and Modern Facilities
Located just a 5-minute walk from Ballarat Railway Station, Hotel Craig's Royal provides easy access to nearby attractions like Sovereign Hill and Lake Wendouree. Enjoy modern conveniences such as free Wi-Fi access, Hydronic Heating in each room, Electric Vehicle Charging, and Secure Off-Street Parking during your stay.

Book now to elevate your stay at Craig's Royal Hotel and create unforgettable memories in Ballarat.

Important information:

Parking is subject to availability due to limited spaces.

Parking spaces must be reserved in advance.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: MEL

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed) and costs AUD 10 per day.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 0 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 2438 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.24
Service: 9.21
Location: 9.25
Room Quality: 8.2
Amenities: 9.23
Value for Money: 8.19
Food and Beverage: 7.74
Overall Experience: 8.71
J
Julie • family_with_children • au
8
Pros:

Lovely old character hotel in a prime location

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
J
Joanna • family_with_children • gb
7
Good value, enjoy the history, overlook the staff
Pros:

Lovely old building
Lovely welcome from reception on check-in,.knew our names and booking.
Great sized room, comfortable and well equipped bathroom
Lots of photos, showing history
Value for money

Cons:

Holes in net curtains and taffeta shot on curtains.from sun damage
Door open to car park from first floor fire escape didn't feel very safe
On our way to breakfast, receptionist was eating their breakfast at the desk and not very bothered about helping guests
Staff in atrium at breakfast didn't seem very customer focused
Noone at the desk at check out

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
Y
Yvonne • couple • au
9
We had a lovely midweek out at the theatre and just across the road we’re we stayed in a beautiful building and lovely s
Pros:

Beautiful old building

Cons:

N/A

2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
J
Jayne • solo_traveller • au
8
2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
B
Boyd • family_with_children • au
8
2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • au
9
2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
K
ken • couple • au
9
Grand building in a great location. We loved our stay and would definitely stay here again
Pros:

We loved our 2-night stay. Grand old building with plenty of history. Our room was large, very clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful (including the handyman). Would definitely stay here again.

Cons:

No issues at all

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • couple • au
8
2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • solo_traveller • au
3
Dissapointing, sad.
Pros:

Comfortable bed, clean bathroom, nice team

Cons:

Restaurant closed for dinner (told that "the chef had resigned", Open For Breakfast' sandwich board was present on street when I arrived - went down for breakfast next morning to again find that the breakfast room was closed - and sandwich board removed, no tv in room, red wine only refreshment option in the room, dirty draw curtains in room with broken non-working draw chords, poker machines dominating noise and sight within a couple of metre of reception are not a fit for this once grand hotel, thread bare carpet patches on stairs and stapled to floor of elevator ... so sad to see how things are slipping from the standards I have enjoyed and respected not that many years ago.

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
H
Hilary • family_with_children • gb
9
Pros:

Super location right in the centre of Ballarat. A very large, very quiet and very comfortable room. Bathroom was a good size and spotless. Lovely big towels and nice toiletries too.

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
C
Carla • solo_traveller • au
7
Nice if you don’t need to spend too long in the room
Pros:

Good location, nice bathroom

Cons:

Tv was a bit sad

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
J
Jacqueline • couple • au
5
Pros:

Central location

Cons:

Pokies downstairs and music playing all night until after 6am. Looked very grand from photos but things were very worn (holes in carpet, damaged paint work and dirty windows. Feel it was over priced for what we got

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
M
Moira • family_with_children • au
8
Very enjoyable
Pros:

The breakfast was great

Cons:

The chairs to relax in rooms very uncomfortable

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
K
Kay • couple • au
10
2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • au
7
Pleasant and happy to return.
Pros:

Staff and location.

Cons:

Food

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • family_with_children • au
10
2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • family_with_children • au
9
Pros:

That my room was cool and so inviting on a very hot day plus the secure parking.
The receptionist was lovely and helpful.

Cons:

Nil

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
G
Gillian • solo_traveller • au
9
Excellent
Pros:

Location/ staff

Cons:

All good

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
B
Bianca • extended_group • au
5
Cute period hotel 3/5
Pros:

All the staff were very lovely, kind and helpful. A good selection of typical pub meals, cold beer and wines. Very good location, easily accessible and within walking distance to everything in town.

Cons:

Access to the rooms were challenging, but manageable if you have only a carry case or small bag. There are lots of different levelled floors and stairs to carry luggage up and down, despite there being a lift. For those that struggle with stairs or have more than one small bag, best get a staff member to help. My room was neat and tidy, however the shower had mouldy grout in it and the bedhead had been used as tissues or a handwipe. A staff member was called but due to staff change over, I had to wait for over 1 hour for it to be cleaned. I wasn't able to be moved to another room due to it having noise complaints by other customers. My room was also very loud due to air conditioning/heating unit blowing loudly all night so it made for a very restless sleep. My colleague and I both ordered the sous vide lamb rump for dinner and shared a charcuterie board. The lamb was tough and fatty, neither of us finished it and the crackers on the board were stale. Nice cheeses and meat selection, though.

2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
A
Ali R. • family_with_children • au
10
Pros:

Great spot and lovely accommodation

2026-01-28 • via Nuitee