Oscars Hotel & Café Bar

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  • 18 Doveton Street South
    Ballarat, Australia VIC 3350
    03 53311451 Website
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LenR
LenR
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
2
Photos

Just a Pleasant Stay

  • September 29, 2008
  • Rated 2 of 5 by JanetMaree from Portland, Australia
We spent a lovely night at Oscars Hotel recently. Our room, (one of the biggest) was really lovely and very comfortable. It was spacious with its own balcony. The decor modern and sophisticated and exceptionally clean. The king-size bed really comfy. The housekeeping staff were extremely helpful and went above and beyond the call of duty to assist us when we checked in. Unfortunately we couldn't say the same for the staff at reception and in the Cafe Bar who were laid back and too casual. We had dinner on the Sunday evening and breakfast Monday morning and we were disappointed in the service on both occasions. The food was fine but service really shoddy. I ordered butter fish only to be told after it came to my table that it was trout and that the waitress would take it back. It was butter fish and I eventually ate it cool. The quality was just ok. Not generous as said in the information book in our room. Breakfast was ordinary and the waitress didn't know we ordered OJ so didn't bring it or apologize for not doing so when I questioned it. When I went to pay for the coffee, I waited at the counter while staff walked past me repeatedly and I should have and could have left without paying. I would only return if I needed to be central in Ballarat, otherwise I would stay at Ballarat Lodge.
Editor Pick

Oscar’s Hotel & Café Bar

  • November 3, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Oscar’s Hotel & Café Bar

Oscar’s Hotel & Café Bar is a unique art deco, boutique hotel in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD. Oscar’s offers a style unrivalled in a city renowned for its abundant history, beautiful gardens and world-class tourist attractions. Art deco is not my favourite architectural style so I was not overly impressed by the exterior. My initial expectations, however, were surpassed with great food, excellent service and state of the art facilities.

Now privately owned and operated, Oscar’s was originally the Criterion Hotel, a popular venue in the gold rush days. A recent extensive refurbishment has transformed it into an iconic property with 13 stylish, contemporary guest rooms and open plan restaurant, bar and courtyard.

All rooms have private en-suites, televisions and DVD players, individually controlled air conditioning and heating, broadband internet connection, tea & coffee making facilities and mini bar fridge. There is room service from 7.30am to 9 pm. I was shown a spa room with LCD TV screens above the bath and there are two rooms with double showers. A daily laundry service is provided. Guests receive complimentary off street parking.

What made Oscar’s so popular with me was the restaurant. The inside has a relaxed feeling with comfortable chairs, plenty of natural light and plenty of seating for a main meal or just a snack with friends. On a warm day you can sit in the courtyard at the back of the restaurant to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

The menu has plenty to offer with many mains under $20. For breakfast, I recommend the home-made granola muesli served with yoghurt or the buttermilk pancakes served with ice-cream, double cream or maple syrup and hot stewed strawberries. For lunch, that old favourite the toasted sandwich is only $11.90. This had chicken breast, avocado, semi-dried tomatoes, cheese & mayo and is served with chips (French fries).

For dinner I was torn between the pan seared kangaroo fillet which is stacked on a red wine risotto with fresh asparagus topped with an eggplant & sun dried tomato puree & sweet potato shavings or the prawn wok. The wok won out and I was served prawns tossed with Asian vegetables in a sweet chilli & lime sauce served with noodles. It was delicious.

The restaurant has an extensive bar where the meal orders are taken. You don't have to go for a full meal as the range of cakes and desserts is very good if you are just passing through or need a well earned coffee break during the day. Oscar's is open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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