Rye, Victoria
In a quiet location, close to Rye’s Bayside Beach, The Shell Croft is part of the Blue Moon cottages site, a group of three cottages in established gardens in the lovely seaside village of Rye.
Overall rating? Great, with excellent ambience and location
What makes The Shell Croft different?
When we arrived there was classical music playing, the cottage was warm and welcoming and all this, combined with the glow of the bedside lights and the complimentary bottle of wine, made us feel relaxed and welcome.
Accommodation overview
There are three bedrooms, two with queen-size beds and a third room with bunks (accessible via one of the queen bedrooms).
Our bedroom was beautifully presented with a white cotton and embroidered doona cover and an abundance of pillows. Towels and toiletries were supplied. The beds in the other two rooms – which we were not using, had the bedding stacked on top of the beds.
Facilities overview
The cottage was self-contained with a well-stocked kitchen, including appliances such as a blender, sandwich press, coffee plunger (with fresh coffee in the fridge), plenty of pots, plates and serving dishes, along with crockery and cutlery. Oil, vinegar, tomato sauce and seasonings were also supplied.
The bathroom has a corner spa under the ‘rustic’ shower. There is a large outdoor patio area with BBQ, which is surrounded by a privacy brick wall. This would be a lovely spot to relax on a summer’s afternoon.
There are DVDs/CDs, books, puzzles and children’s toys, as well as a selection of magazines.
Location
Rye is on the glorious Victorian Mornington Peninsula, an easy 60 minute drive from Melbourne and blessed with great ocean beaches, family-friendly bay beaches and brilliant golf courses. Blue Moon Cottages are easy to find with the directions supplied by the operator.
Suitable for children? Yes, with high chair and portacot supplied, along with a toy chest and DVDs suitable for children.
Suitable for pets? Yes, by prior arrangement. The courtyard would be suitable for a small dog, however there is only decking, no grass. A kennel is available on request but guests must supply their own food bowls, and clean up any mess in the courtyard.
Wheelchair access? No
Perfect for?
Couples and small families wanting a break away on the lovely Mornington Peninsula. The Shell Croft can sleep 6 people, however the dining table only seats 4 and there is seating for 5 in the lounge room. We loved curling up in front of the log fire and watching a DVD while enjoying a glass of red wine. This is a great location for an escape and the feeling of total relaxation.
Why stay longer?
There is so much to see and do in this region; we loved the Boneo Maze & Wetlands Centre, the ‘Get Fresh at the Farm Gate’ trail (although it would be even better in summer) and the wonderful Point Nepean National Park.
It would take at least a week to enjoy all the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, while still leaving time to just relax.
Why you wouldn’t stay longer?
While the presentation of the cottage was everything we would have expected and more, the level of cleanliness required by guests was a little daunting. It's always a hassle to clean up when it's time to leave, and the longer we stayed the more mess we would have made.
Pricing
From $145 per couple per night in the low season, however prices vary and kids stay free in school holidays (except the summer holidays) so check The Shell Croft's accommodation listing for details and special deals.
Bookings:
Make an enquiry for your holiday at
The Shell Croft
through TakeABreak and the property operator will get back to you directly to confirm
pricing and availability. Visit their listing for more pictures, further information
on rates, the availability calendar and guest reviews.
Angela Taylor wrote this article
