If you’re looking for a place to escape with beautiful scenery, amazing local produce and friendly locals who make you feel like you’re part of the community, then a trip to Marysville is in order. We escaped to this little town with the big heart and fell completely in love with it and the people who live here. While there, we were lucky enough to stay at Vibe Hotel Marysville, here’s my review.
Location
It only takes 90 minutes to get to Marysville from Melbourne’s CBD or Tullamarine airport. The drive is really enjoyable, it takes you out of the hustle and bustle of busy Melbourne and through country towns, eventually giving way to wide open space. You wind your way through the Yarra Valley and the hauntingly beautiful Black Spur drive, a scenic stretch of road lined with huge eucalyptus trees that seem straight out of a fairytale.
Finding your way to Marysville is easy and finding the hotel is even easier given the size of the town, given the length of the main street is around 500 metres. When you step out of your car you can’t help but notice how clear and crisp the fresh mountain air feels in your chest. It’s instantly refreshing and grounding, making you feel like you’re far away from everything. It’s easy to see how so many people have come out to Marysville to escape on a holiday, fallen in love with the place and never left.
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, the location of the hotel gives visitors access to the best Marysville has to offer. It’s a short drive to local wineries, the nearby ski fields, lookouts, the waterfall and everything else you could dream of doing in the local area. It really is the perfect place to base yourself in Marysville.
The Rooms
The hotel is new so everything has that ‘shiny new hotel feel’ about it. The rooms are extremely comfortable, decked out with modern furnishings that are practical but also look amazing. I loved the amount of colour and texture in the way the room was styled, the artwork and soft furnishings really gave it a warm and welcoming feel.
There are a few different room types, from the studio style room through to a two bedroom family room. Even if you’re in the studio style room like we were, you’ll find the room has a great amount of space. There’s a big comfortable king size bed (or 2 singles), a small sofa, a desk and chair, mini-bar and big television. I really liked that there were other places to sit, rather than just being confined to the bed. Having the desk and sofa gave me a space to sit and use my laptop.
The bathroom was spacious with a nice big shower and the beauty products supplied were fantastic, really great for the skin and enjoyable to use. I liked how new and modern the bathroom fit out was, it just felt clean and untouched which is exactly what you want in a hotel room. Overall, the room was extremely comfortable and a space you want to spend time in. It offers an oasis after a big day of exploring and the modern, clean feel makes it inviting and comforting.
Dining and Entertainment
You’re absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to dining and entertainment in Marysville. The on-site restaurant, Radius Bar & Grill, is no joke. They serve up some of the very best food you’ll find anywhere in Marysville. Even if you aren’t staying at Vibe, you should book yourself in for dinner at the restaurant because the food is insanely good.
Head Chef, Leigh Colville, of Chateau Yering and The Press Club, has developed a killer menu that will have you struggling to choose what to eat first. Not only can he cook incredible food, he’s a genuinely lovely person too. The restaurant sources most of its produce within a 100km radius of its location, hence the name Radius. This means the food is bursting with flavour and is incredibly fresh. Leigh and his team treat the local produce with respect, bringing out the most in every flavour and adding a little bit of fun and flair to each dish.
Menu must-try’s include the whole grilled Buxton trout, 12-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder and the BBQ corn salad (which I’m pretty sure has popcorn in it). Don’t even think about eating at Radius without ordering the Choc ‘OMG’ Nut Parfait. I don’t want to ruin it for you and build it up too much, but you guys… this dessert is what being alive is all about.
In terms of breakfast, there’s an on-site cafe called Radius which offers an awesome buffet breakfast that’s small but mighty, complete with hot food options, cereal, yoghurt, fruit and really tasty muffins. You can also order from the breakfast menu if you like, and the barista-made coffee is fantastic.
Aside from Radius Bar & Grill, you’ll find loads of other great food options in the nearby area. Visit Fraga’s Cafe for amazing cakes and coffee, take a trip down to the Marysville Patisserie for fudge, ice cream and all manner of patisserie delicacies. Head out to the Buxton Ridge Winery for a great drop of wine and a cheese platter or stop in at the Buxton Trout & Salmon Farm to catch your own fresh, local fish and cook him up on the on-site BBQ.
Take a walk to the Stevenson Falls waterfall and up to Keppel Lookout for views that will knock your socks off. Visit Bruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden and meet the man himself to learn about his creations and explore his beautiful garden.
The Verdict
I loved staying at Vibe Hotel Marysville. The staff who work at the hotel are wonderful, especially General Manager Phil who welcomed us with a warm smile and incredible hospitality. Our stay was made so enjoyable because the rooms were fantastic, the food was amazing and the service was top-notch. The entire stay we felt completely taken care of and totally relaxed, we were able to sink into our time in Marysville and really enjoy ourselves.
It was easy to get around and see and do everything, it was enjoyable escaping out of the city and driving out to Marysville and it was really lovely discovering the area. Everything we ate and drank was local, which made it exceptional. Staying at Vibe Hotel really gives you access to all of Marysville and it’s a brilliant place to stay when you’re visiting the area.
I’d recommend Vibe Hotel Marysville to couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway and families wanting to escape the city with their kids. Whoever you are, you’re bound to enjoy yourself if you put your stay in the hands of Phil and his team.
Thank you so much to Phil and the hotel staff and Leigh, his kitchen team and the restaurant staff too. Every single person we met was personable, professional, attentive and just plain lovely. It’s that kind of thing that makes a hotel wonderful.
