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Saffire Freycinet v Southern Ocean Lodge (SOL), Australia

Saffire Freycinet v Southern Ocean Lodge (SOL), Australia

Old May 24, 2015, 7:27 pm
  #1  
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Saffire Freycinet v Southern Ocean Lodge (SOL), Australia

Hi,

Having explored various parts of the world in the past year or so I want to start checking out the luxury hotels/lodges a bit closer to home.

As we just came back from a beach holiday, next on my list would be one of either Saffire or SOL however I find it hard to pick between them.

I know there are threads on here for each of these but none of them seems to be comparative as most on here tend to go to both which makes sense as this board is US heavy.

Coming from MEL, each is equally the same to get to as both Adelaide and Hobart are about an hours flight and since I'm relatively close to both no need to combine them both onto the same trip as many on here have done since coming from the US etc. If they are both worth visiting then I will leave the other for next time.

Can anyone who has been to both give me some comparative feedback please ? If you had the choice and chose one over the other were you ultimately pleased with your decision ?

We would stay maybe 4 nights and the rooms we are comparing in particular is the remarkable suites at SOL (second best) versus the best at Saffire which is the private pavillion. Only because the second best room category at SOL already has the hot tub so seems sufficiently good with the next step higher not worth the premium. Is this true ? Anyone stayed at the remarkable suites ? Thoughts ?

My main concerns at this point is that:

*Some reviews of the food at SOL leave alot to be desired with a fair few on trip advisor saying that the chef always tried too hard with his whole fusion concept and the end product was always of the love it or hate it variety. If you didn't like that then there's always the Classic menu but a burger and fries doesn't exactly sound gourmet not when you're paying $2k a night.

*However the food at Saffire is said to be superb and seems better than SOL (is this true) and I hear that the team there go to great lengths to customise the menu for you etc.

So it seems that Saffire wins on food.

*With the room design and architecture it seems from the photos that SOL's is more visually stunning compared to Saffire. Also seems that the plunge pool at Saffire is really tiny ? Is this true ? Could me and my wife have a dip there ? At the same time lol ? And is it heated because Tassie never really gets warm.

So it seems that SOL wins on room design ?

Keen to hear comparative thoughts about room design and food as well as other factors like location and service etc

Thanks
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Old May 25, 2015, 1:34 am
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I've been to both for 3 nights each - quick thoughts below

1) Food - Saffire does win (it is superlative, my wife is no nuts / no meat and they rewrote a tasting menu for her rather than just taking out the nuts / meat) but SOL isn't bad either and will happily customise rather than just offer you the second menu - we certainly had a fantastic time eating there.

2) Interior Design - Rooms at SOL probably just win on this one - Saffire is great and we were wowed by it (having already been to SOL) but SOL has a little bit extra. To be honest I don't really value this one particularly and am not an expert... Didn't get the private pool so can't comment on that piece.

3) Things to do - here I'd probably rate Saffire over SOL. SOL has very little to do beyond strolling along the beach if you aren't doing one of their 'official' excursions. We did 1.5 days of official excursions at SOL and felt like if we'd just done 1 day we'd have seen plenty. Saffire you can go hiking on your own and are a bit more able to do other stuff.

4) Ease of access- from MEL you can surely fly direct to LST? Whereas for SOL you need to go via Adelaide from which its a further ferry / flight?

5) Other things. At SOL all the rooms are on a corridor so I think if you go for the nicest/ 2nd nicest room (can't recall which) its probably a 10 minute round trip to your room to get anything that you forget if you're going to lunch and then out on an excursion.

I'd pick Saffire but YMMV and neither is a bad choice.

Paul
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Old May 25, 2015, 5:18 am
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Originally Posted by pauljeff
I've been to both for 3 nights each - quick thoughts below

1) Food - Saffire does win (it is superlative, my wife is no nuts / no meat and they rewrote a tasting menu for her rather than just taking out the nuts / meat) but SOL isn't bad either and will happily customise rather than just offer you the second menu - we certainly had a fantastic time eating there.

2) Interior Design - Rooms at SOL probably just win on this one - Saffire is great and we were wowed by it (having already been to SOL) but SOL has a little bit extra. To be honest I don't really value this one particularly and am not an expert... Didn't get the private pool so can't comment on that piece.

3) Things to do - here I'd probably rate Saffire over SOL. SOL has very little to do beyond strolling along the beach if you aren't doing one of their 'official' excursions. We did 1.5 days of official excursions at SOL and felt like if we'd just done 1 day we'd have seen plenty. Saffire you can go hiking on your own and are a bit more able to do other stuff.

4) Ease of access- from MEL you can surely fly direct to LST? Whereas for SOL you need to go via Adelaide from which its a further ferry / flight?

5) Other things. At SOL all the rooms are on a corridor so I think if you go for the nicest/ 2nd nicest room (can't recall which) its probably a 10 minute round trip to your room to get anything that you forget if you're going to lunch and then out on an excursion.

I'd pick Saffire but YMMV and neither is a bad choice.

Paul
Thanks, appreciate the post.

From MEL i could fly direct to LST but even when I get there its a 3 hour drive to Saffire ?
From ADL its a 20min flight then a 1 hour drive to SOL ?
I consider that roughly equivalent. Saffire would be easier though I suppose with just the one flight.

Which rooms did you stay at in SOL and Saffire ?

Did you get to check out the lounge at Hobart airport ? Is it decent ?
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Old May 25, 2015, 8:40 am
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Originally Posted by Nizar
Thanks, appreciate the post.

From MEL i could fly direct to LST but even when I get there its a 3 hour drive to Saffire ?
From ADL its a 20min flight then a 1 hour drive to SOL ?
I consider that roughly equivalent. Saffire would be easier though I suppose with just the one flight.

Which rooms did you stay at in SOL and Saffire ?

Did you get to check out the lounge at Hobart airport ? Is it decent ?
I tend to factor in a fair bit of times for connections hence my view on convenience. If you're not a terrible driver then I think 3 hours to Saffire is a bit of an exaggeration. We flew into and out of LST given the convenience factor - I saw the outside of the Hobart lounge on another trip but not sure I saw inside.

SOL I think they only had the basic room left; Saffire I think we were one up from the basic rooms.
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Old May 25, 2015, 8:41 am
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P.S. I think there's a silly baggage allowance on the flights to SOL - but if you're going for a short period you should be fine...
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Old May 25, 2015, 8:01 pm
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I can comment on aspects of your questions. I've been to Saffire twice (stayed in basic room and in pavilion) but not SOL.

Access: Flying to Hobart vs Launceston - about the same drive time as I understand it; an easy drive from Hobart (less than 3 hours as another poster has said). Saffire operates a lounge at Hobart as well - pleasant on departure. Hobart is enjoying a real renaissance right now - you could consider an extra night or two there to sample some restaurants and/or MONA (personally I think Hobart has more to offer than Adelaide these days but YMMV).

Rooms: the plunge pool in the pavilion is nothing special. It is on the front side of the pavilion (so no views). It is not large. We didn't consider using it. Personally I think location of the room is more important than room category at Saffire - you want a room (any category) that is along the path to the "right", towards the pavilions, as these rooms are a bit further from the main building and feel less overlooked (not that overlooking is much of an issue). They are also slightly more elevated than some of the other rooms. The pavilion is divided into three primary living spaces - separate bedroom, dining area (which we never used) and sitting area. I actually preferred the more open feel of the entry level room. The mid-category room is worth considering too - these have an attractive soaking tub with view.

HTH
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Old May 26, 2015, 10:19 am
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Originally Posted by Nizar
this board is US heavy.
FT US heavy - never noticed it .

I am European and staid at both properties. For me basic rooms at top properties are mostly fine and at these properties the views and the general comfort will be equal with a lot of money to spare.

Generally speaking SOL is more casual (with the huge "self service" wine cellar - a showcase of South Australian wines) and Saffire is more "formal" especially for dinner. Both offer food quality at its best with Saffire more "cuisin" and SOL more Australian.

Saffire belongs to a huge Tasmanian Casino group and obviously can throw in more than the Baileys.

Looking at the destinations, Tasmania is perfect for a couple of days of touring (walk in the Cradle Mountain) before a stay at Saffire. For SOL I would drive and take the ferry after having toured McLaren Vale.

Activities are lovely at both places with the oyster experience at Saffire being quite unique.

There is a third option if you want to get away from it all: Capella at Lord Howe, the best Polynesian Island you can imagine.
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Old May 26, 2015, 11:48 am
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great replies!

behuman (if not others) compared before including http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post18322969

Originally Posted by behuman
MONA...pavillons (choose Arthur) and a good restaurant.
Originally Posted by Baghoarder
MONA
definitely interesting, only 8 pavilions, and they share a pool
https://www.mona.net.au/mona/accommo...the-pavilions/
https://smithhotels.com/luxury-hotels/mona-pavilions

this particular FlyerTalk forum is not that "US heavy"
but it can take a while to learn who is not from US

Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 26, 2015 at 11:54 am
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Old May 27, 2015, 6:29 am
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Thanks guys for your thoughts.
So I think I have made up my mind.
2 nights at MONA followed by 3 nights at Saffire.

For those that stayed at Saffire did you do much exploring of the area outside the hotel ?

I am just trying to work out whether a rental car would be needed or if I should just let Saffire pick me up from MONA and drop me at the airport. For just a 3 night stay I would think I shouldn't need a car ? Especially since I want to just relax and kick back. Perhaps I have answered my own question already.
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Old May 27, 2015, 8:14 am
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Originally Posted by Nizar
2 nights at MONA followed by 3 nights at Saffire.
MONA (the "museum") is not for the faint hearted . For your stay make sure they don't have a large function. It might disturb your enjoyment. Their restaurant is great.

At Saffire start with the excursion to overlook wineglass bay, but leave the group and walk down, along the beach and then cross the isthmus to return along the shore to Freycinet. They will pick you up there (4-5 hours).
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Old Aug 28, 2015, 7:39 am
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Just went thru the whole Saffire vs. SOL, and Saffire being full pushed me into a corner: SOL it is. 2 nights/2 days arriving Sept 3.

Any recent stays?
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Old Aug 28, 2015, 2:58 pm
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[QUOTE=behuman;

At Saffire start with the excursion to overlook wineglass bay, but leave the group and walk down, along the beach and then cross the isthmus to return along the shore to Freycinet. They will pick you up there (4-5 hours).[/QUOTE]

Thanks for this information . Any other activities or things we must do at Saffire Freycinet ?
Will be staying in October , finally .
Looking forward to returning to Tassie , Coles Bay , too .
Originally Posted by pricesquire
Just went thru the whole Saffire vs. SOL, and Saffire being full pushed me into a corner: SOL it is. 2 nights/2 days arriving Sept 3.

Any recent stays?
FYI , we had " problems " in the booking process , supposedly full when it wasn't !
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Old Aug 28, 2015, 5:26 pm
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Originally Posted by FlyerEC
Thanks for this information . Any other activities or things we must do at Saffire Freycinet ?
Will be staying in October , finally .
Looking forward to returning to Tassie , Coles Bay , too .


FYI , we had " problems " in the booking process , supposedly full when it wasn't !
I heard that Saffire isn't the best when it comes to booking phase, but I did give management a call just to make sure. After three-ish tries I gave up. No worries - will save it for another trip!
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Old Aug 28, 2015, 6:18 pm
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Originally Posted by pricesquire
I heard that Saffire isn't the best when it comes to booking phase, but I did give management a call just to make sure. After three-ish tries I gave up. No worries - will save it for another trip!
That figures ; had different concierges working on it , calling them directly too with different responses !

Almost tempted to change to SOL if software during stay is likewise , it will be a let down , & especially after Amans ..
Looking forward to your TR .
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Old Aug 28, 2015, 7:05 pm
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Originally Posted by FlyerEC
That figures ; had different concierges working on it , calling them directly too with different responses !

Almost tempted to change to SOL if software during stay is likewise , it will be a let down , & especially after Amans ..
Looking forward to your TR .

When are you going?

My lineup:

Southern Ocean Lodge
Intercontinental SYD
Langham SYD
One&Only Hayman
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