Amaroo Hotel Dubbo: Your Aussie Oasis Awaits!
Amaroo Hotel Dubbo: My Dubbo Diary - Chaos, Comfort, and Kookaburras! (An Honest Review)
Okay, so, you're thinking of heading to Dubbo? Good choice! It’s a proper Aussie town, full of character, and let me tell you, after my recent stay at the Amaroo Hotel, I've got a LOT to say. They bill themselves as your "Aussie Oasis," and honestly? They get pretty darn close. But first, a disclaimer: I'm not a travel writer, I'm just a regular bloke who appreciates a good hotel stay, a cold beer, and a decent internet connection (thank you, Wi-Fi gods!). This is my real, raw, and probably slightly rambling review.
Accessibility & Safety (Important Stuff, Even if it Sounds Boring…):
First things first, I checked the accessibility because, you know, life happens, and it's good to know. They have facilities for disabled guests, which is awesome, and the elevator is a lifesaver, especially if you're on a higher floor (more on that later). I didn’t personally test this, but it's great to see they're thinking about everyone.
Now, about the safety… Look, post-pandemic, you want to feel safe. And the Amaroo seems to have taken this seriously. There are signs of anti-viral cleaning products, rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol. They also have hand sanitizer everywhere you turn. I saw a LOT of CCTV in common areas (and outside – watching for those cheeky bin raiders, I reckon!). There's also 24-hour security and a front desk, which is always reassuring, especially when you've had a few too many schooners. They also have things like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, which, you know, necessary, but thankfully I didn't have to use them and I am grateful for that!
The Room: My Little Dubbo Bubble
Right, so let's get to the good stuff: the rooms. I booked a standard room, and it had everything you need. No, seriously, everything. Air conditioning (essential in Dubbo!), a comfy bed (with an extra long one - amazing!), a desk to work at (because, adulting), a mini-bar stocked with goodies (tempting!), and a refrigerator to keep your drinks ice cold. And the blackout curtains? Genius. They completely kill the morning sun, which is perfect if you're prone to a bit of…ahem…late starts. (Yes, I’m looking at you, 11 am check-out!). Mine also had a window that opens, which is a huge plus for fresh air, and a mirror, which is good for checking if you look a state after a bit too much fun the night before.
I'm not going to lie, I loved the complimentary tea and coffee maker. A lifesaver in the mornings! The internet access - wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) was a godsend, and it actually worked well! I could download movies, upload my epic Dubbo selfies…all without any buffering! The room also had an in-room safe box in case I had any expensive jewels I needed to keep secure, which of course, I didn't.
(Rambling About the Bed… Because, Comfy Bed):
Okay, can we just talk about the bed for a hot minute? Like, seriously. It was one of those sink-right-in beds. You know the ones that you can just melt into? I actually considered calling Reception and asking if they could send me the mattress. The linens were crisp and clean, the pillows were fluffy… I even had a reading light available to assist with staying up late reading. Honestly, I slept like a baby (except for that one time I got woken up by a particularly loud kookaburra outside my window…but that's Dubbo for you!). I’d happily pay to sleep in that bed again!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling My Dubbo Adventures
Alright, let's talk fuel! The Amaroo has a few options!
- Restaurants: They have several restaurants! The main one, for me, served international cuisine in restaurant. I'm a sucker for a good buffet, and they offer a Breakfast [buffet] and a Buffet in restaurant. Sure, it's your standard hotel buffet, but hey, it's convenient, and there's enough to keep you going. I opted for the Western breakfast since, you know, it's what I'm used to. There's also a Bar, where I might have spent an afternoon or two – just ask the staff! They also offer A la carte in restaurant.
- Room Service: Because, sometimes, you just want to stay in your bathrobe and order a burger at midnight. Room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver.
- Coffee shop: Perfect for a midday caffeine fix!
The poolside bar, too, calls my name more than I'd like to admit. This is the thing, though! I'm not the biggest fan of soup, but I did try the soup in restaurant. Not a fan.
Relaxing and Unwinding (Because You Need It!):
Look, Dubbo can be a bit…intense. So, it's important to unwind.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: I spent a lot of time at the pool. It has a Pool with view. Heaven! Definitely my happy place!
- Spa: They also have a Spa/sauna - Perfect for a bit of pampering. I didn't actually manage to try the sauna, but it looked inviting.
- Fitness center/ Gym: I didn't see a gym/fitness, but it's great to see the Amaroo is thinking about its guests.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things that Matter):
Okay, this is where the Amaroo really shines. The attention to detail is amazing.
- Daily housekeeping kept the room spotless.
- The concierge was super helpful, always willing to give directions or book a taxi.
- Laundry service and dry cleaning for those who like to travel with no luggage.
- Cash withdrawal (gotta love a cash machine in the lobby, right?)
- Car park [free of charge], which is a massive bonus (parking can be a nightmare!).
- Wi-Fi for special events.
- Business facilities - if you must!
- Luggage storage - great for getting out of the room after check-out!
- Food delivery: Because sometimes, you just need a takeaway!
Things to Do (Dubbo is More Than Just the Zoo!):
Okay, so, if you're like me, you're probably going to Dubbo for the Western Plains Zoo (amazing!). But there's more to Dubbo than just animals. The Amaroo Hotel has information resources and leaflets to help you.
For the Kids:
I don't have kids, so I didn't test this, but it looked like the Amaroo is Family/child friendly. They offer Babysitting service if you are travelling with kids, and they also have Kids meal available.
The Imperfections (Because Nothing's Perfect):
Okay, let’s be real. Nothing is perfect.
- The Wi-Fi sometimes struggled in the common areas.
- The restaurant wasn't always the quickest (but hey, you're on holiday!).
- The Kookaburras are persistent. Bring earplugs. Trust me.
My Final Verdict:
Honestly, for the price, the Amaroo Hotel Dubbo is fantastic. Clean rooms, a good location, friendly staff, and all the amenities you need. The bed alone is worth the price of admission!
But My MOST Memorable Experience?
You know what REALLY stood out? The customer service. I've stayed in hotels where the staff seem to hate their job. Not here. Everyone was genuinely friendly, helpful, and seemed to want to make your stay as pleasant as possible. I asked tons of questions, changed my booking about a dozen times, and every single time, the staff handled it with patience and a smile. That is what makes the Amaroo special. It's not just a hotel; it's a place where you feel welcomed and looked after.
The Call to Action - My Honest Recommendation:
Ready to escape to Dubbo and experience the Amaroo's Aussie Oasis?
[Book Your Stay Now at the Amaroo Hotel Dubbo and Get Ready for:
- A Seriously Comfy Bed That You Won't Want to Leave! - Sparkling Clean Rooms, Excellent Service, AND a Pool to Cool Off in After a Day of Adventure! - FREE Wi-Fi, So You Can Share All Your Dubbo Moments! - The Perfect Base for Exploring All Dubbo Has to Offer!
Don't wait! Dub
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Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're heading to the Amaroo Hotel in Dubbo, Australia, and trust me, it's gonna be a ride. This is my attempt to document this trip, warts and all, with all the glorious, messy human-ness I can muster.
Amaroo Hotel Dubbo: A Dubious Chronicle of Dubbo Delights (and likely Disasters)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation…and Airport Anxiety
06:00 am: Alarm sounds like a shrill badger attack. Nope. Nope. No. I snooze it. Actually, let's make that three snoozes. I'm not a morning person, and this trip better be worth it.
07:00 am: Finally drag myself out of bed. The suitcase? Still unopened. Packing is the bane of my existence.
07:30 am: Panic-pack. Throw in everything I think I might need. Realistically, I'll probably wear the same three outfits and regret everything else. I have a strange compulsion to pack formal attire, even though I'm expecting to spend most of my time in jeans.
08:00 am - 09:00 am: Airport chaos. Security lines that snake around like a lost python. My emotional support water bottle (yes, I have one) nearly gets confiscated. Almost had a full-blown meltdown there. Remind myself: deep breaths. You're going on vacation. Breathe.
10:00 am: Flight to Dubbo! The take-off always gets me. That feeling of leaving the ground… pure terror, but kind of thrilling? I'm a mess.
11:30 am: Finally, Dubbo Airport. It's small, cute, and blessedly free of the usual airport drama. A friendly face! The driver who will take me to the Amaroo. Okay, maybe this trip isn't doomed.
12:00 pm: Arrive at the Amaroo Hotel. First impressions? Solid. The check-in felt… normal. Which is a win. My room? Clean. Basic. But hey, it's a home base. And there's a TV. Priorities.
12:30 pm - 02:00 pm: I should unpack, right? But a sudden craving for a burger assaults me. Must. Find. Food. First.
02:00 pm - 03:00 pm: Burger acquired! Ate it like I hadn't eaten in a week. Regret… but also, satisfaction. A good burger is a tiny, perfect happiness.
03:00 pm - 05:00 pm: Attempted unpacking/ settling into the room. The suitcase is still a mess- I give up and throw things in the general direction of the closet. I'll sort it out later, right? Right.
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm: Wander. Explore. Found a local pub on the corner. Had a beer (or two). The locals were friendly and full of stories. This could get interesting (or disastrous, depending on how many beers I have).
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm: Back to the hotel to flop on the bed. Realization: I'm exhausted, and I've barely done anything. The jet lag is already hitting me.
08:00 pm: Dinner at the hotel restaurant – decent. I feel an odd sense of camaraderie with everyone here. Maybe it's exhaustion or maybe it's just the sheer remoteness of it all.
09:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Binge-watch whatever's playing on the TV. This is a core-level traveler experience.
10:00 pm: Head to bed. I feel okay. A little out of sorts, but hey, I'm in Dubbo. Who knows what tomorrow holds? The world's your oyster, and possibly full of dust and kangaroos.
Day 2: Taronga Western Plains Zoo & the Great Aussie Wildlife Experience
- 07:00 am: Morning. Yes, I'm alive.
- 08:00 am: Breakfast at the hotel again. I am starting to recognize the other guests. We have a sort of unspoken bond now.
- 09:00 am: Head to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The excitement bubbling up inside! I’m an animal person. This is a must-do.
- 09:30 am - 04:00 pm: Zoo time! Oh my god. The giraffes, the elephants, the rhinos… It's overwhelming. The scale of this place is wild. You drive around to see the animals. They are free-roaming, and they have so much space. The animals are more active than animals in your typical zoo.
- 12:00 pm: Lunch at the zoo cafe. The food? Nothing to write home about, but the view of the elephants more than makes up for it.
- 02:00 pm: A truly magical experience. The snow leopards were out and about. Watching them prowl around their enclosure was mesmerizing. I could have stayed there all day. Pure, unadulterated, happy awe.
- 05:00 pm Head back to the hotel. The sheer volume of animals I’ve seen has me feeling a strange sort of peace.
- 06:00 pm: Dinner again! The food is growing on me. I am becoming a regular.
- 08:00 pm: Early night. I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. A full day of animals, sunshine, and… well, being a tourist. It's good for the soul.
Day 3: Dubbo's Secrets & Departure Dread
- 07:00 am: Woke up slightly hungover. I blame the beer with the locals last night. Anyway, coffee is the mission of the day.
- 08:00 am: Breakfast. The same as before: the unspoken bond grows.
- 09:00 am - 12:00 pm: Exploration! I decide to visit a few of the historical sites. I found a local museum. History can be… surprisingly interesting.
- 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm: Lunch. Finding a place to eat outside the hotel has become an adventure in itself.
- 01:00 pm- 03:00 pm: Souvenir shopping. Because… obligations. Found something actually pretty cool, though! Maybe Dubbo isn't so bad after all.
- 03:00 pm - 05:00 pm: Back to the hotel to pack (properly this time!) and process the trip.
- 05:00 pm: Start to feel that pang of sadness – departure is looming. Dubbo, you weird, wonderful place, you’ve grown on me.
- 06:00 pm: Final dinner at the hotel. I almost want to cry.
- 08:00 pm: Early night.
- Morning of Departure: More airport drama (of course).
- Later: Reflecting on all that happened.
Final Thoughts:
In the end, this trip was… well, something. It wasn’t perfect, definitely wasn't glamorous, and there were a few moments of pure, unadulterated chaos. But it was also… wonderful. Dubbo surprised me. The people were kind. The animals were incredible. The Amaroo Hotel, bless its heart, was the perfect, slightly quirky, home base. Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe I'd even try the golf course. Who knows. The world is a weird, wonderful place, and I’m glad I took a little slice of it.
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Amaroo Hotel Dubbo: Your Aussie Oasis Awaits! (Or Does It?) - FAQs, Unfiltered!
Alright, alright, settle in, you lot. You wanna know about the Amaroo Hotel, eh? Dubbo's supposed Aussie Oasis? Well, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the beans - the GOOD, the BAD, and the downright UGLY. I've stayed there. I've survived. I'll tell ya what you *really* need to know. Don't expect polished PR fluff from me.
1. So, is this place actually *good*? Like, should I even bother?
Okay, let's rip the band-aid off. "Good" is relative. It's Dubbo. Don't expect the Ritz. If you're after a five-star experience with fluffy robes and pillow menus... well, you're in the wrong bloody town, mate. The Amaroo? Think... reliable. Clean enough. Likely to have a functional air conditioner (thank GOD, because Dubbo gets HOT). It's a solid, if unspectacular, base of operations.
My personal take? Depends on the price. If you're snagging a decent deal, sure, go for it. If the price is creeping into 'luxury resort' territory, maybe shop around. I once stayed there during a bloody heatwave. Aircon worked. That, in itself, was a miracle. I was so grateful I didn't care if the bed was singing opera, I slept like a log.
2. What about the rooms? Are they, you know, *modern*?
Modern? HA! Let's just say the decor probably hasn't changed much since... well... let's just say a while. Think solid, maybe a bit dated. You're more likely to find a sturdy, reliable desk than a sleek, minimalist workstation. The furniture isn't going to win any design awards, but, again, it's functional. *And* I have never had to share it with a cockroach, and that's a win in my book.
Here's the thing: the rooms, I reckon, are like your quirky old aunt's place. Comfortable, a little bit worn around the edges, but ultimately, you'll feel welcomed. And, you know, in a way, it has a certain charm. Besides, are you really going to Dubbo to stare at the room? You're there for the zoo, right? (Which is AMAZING, by the way. Side note: go to the zoo.)
3. The Pool. Is the pool... any good? Because, Dubbo heat, am I right?
Ah, the pool. Okay. Yes. The pool is a *thing*. It's... there. It's a pool. It's usually clean enough. It's definitely a lifesaver in the Dubbo heat. Don't expect an Olympic-sized swimming experience. It’s more of a 'dip your toes in, cool off, and maybe have a beer' kinda pool. Which, honestly, is all you really need, isn't it? Especially after a day baking in the sun at the zoo.
I've got a memory that is forever etched in my mind, a memory of an old bloke, probably named Kev, sitting by the pool wearing nothing but a pair of faded speedos and a straw hat, drinking a VB. The pool itself wasn't amazing, but Kev? That's what makes the Amaroo... memorable.
4. Okay, what about the restaurant? Foodie-worthy or should I pack a picnic?
The restaurant... right, so let's be honest. It's not Michelin-star material. The menu's your classic pub fare: schnitzels, steaks, maybe a pasta dish if you're feeling adventurous. It's perfectly edible. It's not going to blow your mind. But after a long day of looking at animals, you're probably going to be hungry and wanting something easy. And it has cold beer, let's not forget that.
I ate there once and it was a perfectly acceptable meal. Nothing to write home about. Except I *did* write home about it, to my mum, just to let her know I was still alive and hadn’t starved, and the schnitzel was fine, thanks. I did hear someone rave about the parma, though. Maybe try the parma.
5. Is there parking? 'Cause I'm driving and Dubbo's not exactly known for its public transport.
Parking? Yes, there is parking! And thank GOD, because you're right, Dubbo isn't exactly a city of trams and buses. Generally, there's enough parking on-site. It might get a little tight during peak season or if there's a big event on, but you probably won't have to park a kilometre away and walk with all your luggage.
Now, I do remember *one* time, during the Dubbo Show (massive event, by the way), it was a bit of a free-for-all. Found myself squeezed in next to a massive ute with a bull bar. But hey, it's all part of the experience, isn't it? Just keep an eye out for the utes, they're everywhere.
6. Is it noisy? I'm a light sleeper.
Noise... that's a bit of a gamble. You're in a hotel, so you'll be sharing walls. You might hear doors slamming, the occasional boisterous laughter (it's Dubbo, after all), or the rumble of trucks on the road. I'd advise earplugs if you're a super-sensitive sleeper. Location can make a difference. Try to get a room away from the pool if you want peace. Though, honestly, I've found the noise level is usually pretty reasonable.
But now I think of it, I do remember one night... bloody hell. There was a bucks party in full swing. Think karaoke at 2 AM and the sound of high pitched laughter. God, I was *furious*. But, you know, it's one night. And I had a good laugh about it in the end. Just pack earplugs. Seriously. Pack them.
7. The Staff – are they friendly? Because sometimes that makes or breaks a stay.
The staff? Generally, they're alright. Aussie hospitality, yeah? They're usually pretty friendly and helpful. They're not going to be tripping over themselves to give you a massage or anything,Personalized Stays
