Located just on the border of Shepparton’s main township is the Quality Hotel Parklake. I was invited up to check it out so we hit the road north to sample their recently refurbished rooms.
Location
Shepparton is a major regional city two hours north-east of Melbourne, in the heart of the Goulburn Valley. In town there’s a healthy dose of cafes, gift stores, furniture shops and galleries, plus a new shopping complex. Just across the road from Quality Hotel Parklake is the picturesque Victoria Park Lake with many winding walking tracks just beyond. Out of town is a range of local vineyards to explore, including Tahbilk, Tallis and Gentle Annie, or the Shepparton Golf Club. The hotel is just a short walk into the town centre.
The Hotel
Quality Hotel Parklake has undergone a makeover and while it might initially look more of a motel from the outside looking in, the restaurant bar and within the refurbished rooms reflect more of a hotel standard. There are a range of rooms from standard and deluxe, to grand suites and apartments with full cooking facilities. They're basic, but comfortable.
Get a Room
We stayed in a refurbished Family Room, at the upstairs front of the hotel. It was surprisingly quiet considering the nearby main road, and just large enough to sleep four. The new décor was fresh, modern and welcoming. Our room had a 42” screen flat TV, a small reverse cycle heating unit, basic tea and coffee facilities (no herbal teas), soft lighting and hotel standard beds and linen (crisp and fresh). The contemporary bathroom came with a large bath and simple toiletries. Despite just a bit of noise from nearby apartments, the room was a comfortable stay which we could relax in.
The Facilities
It's easy to while away some time in the Restaurant Bar at Parklake, overlooking the Victoria Park Lake, with the afternoon sun streaming in and a nice glass of red. We returned to the Restaurant Bar for dinner and started with some very tasty Chinese Duck Spring Rolls ($16.50) and decent sized oysters Kilpatrick, then marinated lamb shoulder with broccolini and mash for main ($29). I had to hunt for the broccolini hiding under the generous portion of slow cooked meat atop, tender and rich in flavour. Breakfast was equally as generous and enjoyable the next day.
Unfortunately the pool, courtyard spa and sauna were under works during our stay. It was freezing though, so we happily spent most of our time relaxing (and eating) in the restaurant bar.
Parking is available for guests within the hotel square.
Service
Reception and wait staff at Parklake were the down to earth kind. Nothing was a trouble and with no booking in our room the next day (it was midweek) we were able to extend our checkout and just let our cleaner know on the way to breakfast. The only thing I would say is that I didn’t realise it had free wifi until we were leaving – so ask after this if you need it.
If I needed to stay in Shepparton again, or passing through and in need of a meal, I would return to Quality Hotel Parklake. A pleasant, reliable and comfortable choice of accommodation with a touch of country style.
Who: Quality Hotel Parklake
Where: 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, Victoria
www.parklake.com.au