Jackalope Hotel
166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North, Victoria 3926 Australia
Full view
View all photos (379)379
Room & Suite (72)
Dining (71)
About
Location
4.6
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.4
Value
3.6
Jackalope hotel's debut property sets a new standard in luxury accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. Set on one of the region's most pristine vineyards, intoxicating acreage frames this landmark luxury hotel - unique in both destination and design.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Babysitting
Car hire
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Wifi
Hot tub
Infinity pool
Outdoor pool
Heated pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Meeting rooms
Spa
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Show more
Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Refrigerator
Show more
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Trendy
Location
Contact
166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North, Victoria 3926 Australia
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Merricks North rental cars
253Reviews4Q+A51Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 167
- 38
- 26
- 17
- 6
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
A most enjoyable stay. The hotel amenities and facilities were wonderful. The scenery was picture perfect. The staff were accommodating. Whilst the bottomless popcorn, choc tops and open mini bar were a real treat. The food/drinks in the on-site restaurants, bars and room service was most enjoyable. We look forward to returning in the future.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Worth paying the extra money for a view of the vineyards and rolling hills.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Reception was not friendly during check in or check out process, when they barely said a word — not even to ask how our stay was. They simply handed us the invoice and said, "Here you go," barely making eye contact. Our stay came with a wine tasting from their winery. Having asked about booking the tasting when we reserved our room and been told it’s walk in and there will be “no problem,” we were quite put out when reception summarily told us there were no tastings the two days we booked and we could do a tasting on our departure day AFTER we checked out. Great advice to drink and drive as visitors to Australia. Doot Doot Doot’s ingredients were clearly excellent and portions generous but the food was bland and service was uneven and slow — wine pairings never arrived with the course and typically arrived long after the food was served. We were served and attended to much slower than the tables around us. We were the third table sat for the Christmas dinner and one of the last to finally leave after we asked for the petit fours "to go" and declined the celebratory glass of champagne. The server seemed very out of sorts with the fact we couldn't eat the enormous portions so I made a joke about having popcorn watching an afternoon movie, to which she replied, "That was a bad idea." I was trying to lighten to uncomfortable mode of the server. All Jackalope's property (hotel, vineyards, pool, restaurants, artwork) is gorgeous and excellently designed. The rooms are spacious & comfortable. The breakfast staff was friendly and professional, lunch at Rare Hare was fun and tasty.…
Read more
Date of stay: December 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The vineyard rooms offer a lovely view of the property.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Laura C wrote a review Dec 2022
A positive is the food was excellent and rooms were very clean. The focus of this hotel is apparently entirely on the aesthetic. Practicality is unfortunately lost. In the bedrooms light switches are hidden (there is also a master switch that is unmarked and caused all sorts of issues) and in strange places. The bathroom lighting was abysmal and compounding that were unnecessary steps… not ideal in a dark room you are unfamiliar with. The staff were mostly friendly, but not proactive and largely untrained. Food was served promptly but the wine was poor and was not refilled by staff. Guests had to ask for the bottle to be left on the table and fill their own. Absolutely would not recommend staying here. For the price we expected top service and was sadly very disappointed.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We had the most incredible stay at Jackalope to start our honeymoon in Australia. The location is stunning, the vineyard view bedroom with bathtub was huge, and totally luxurious. Great idea to have in-room self spa treatments, and unlimited popcorn and ice cream is such a treat! The food was incredible and would thoroughly recommend the tasting menu at DootDootDoot, and accompanying wine which feels very good value. We had the most wonderful Rare Hare picnic by the lake which was beautiful and the food was delicious. The staff and service was 5 star throughout the property. Cannot recommend this hotel highly enough, we had the perfect stay. We hope to make it back one day. Thank you all.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My wife and I have just returned from a 2 night stay. The package came with dinner at Doot Doot Doot and a voucher for Rare Hare (more about the restaurants later), free minibar, a very good selection of movies and even free popcorn and choctops. The terrace room we stayed in was a good size with a balcony overlooking rolling hills and vineyards. There are activities each day, like cooking classes and tours of their art collection. So you don’t have to leave the resort….. but do it anyway. You those unfamiliar with the region, Jackalope is close to Mornington, Sorrento, Portsea (where you can see the battery that fired the first shots of WWI), Port Leo surf beach and Flinders, as well as great wineries. Give yourself an hour or two to meander through this beautiful region. Checkin was flawless. We got there 2 hours early because we had to cancel something, but we were able to check in. A staff member escorted us to the room and showed us how things worked. On the first night we dropped into the bar Flaggerdoot, which combined an excellent collection of wine and spirits with a casual and fun place. Doot Doot Doot could not be faulted. We have been to a number of excellent degustation restaurants in Australia, and this is close to the top. Unlike some of the other places, Doot Doot Doot did try too hard to be adventurous, which sometimes results in dishes which are so tricked up as to be unapertising. The dishes and paired wines were superb. Breakfast was also exceptional. No Bain Maries here. Everything individually prepared and served to the table. My wife raved about the home-made baked beans and I enjoyed the spinner crab omelette. On the second day, after breakfast and a drive through the Peninsula, we had our complementary wine tasting. The staff there went through the five or six featured wine, and after that I asked if I could taste a more expensive wine, and there was no problem. We walked out with six bottles. Then off to Rare Hare for lunch. Completely different to Doot Doot Doot, with shared tables, vibrance and noise. The food was excellent as well. Next morning after late breakfast check out was quick and efficient. I must commend all staff for the exceptional level of service. No request (not that we made many) was too difficult. Everyone had a smile on their face. We have stayed at better hotels and dined at better (but more expensive) restaurants, but have never stayed at a better hotel/restaurant combination. Well done Jackalope.…
Read more
Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Overall we had a really lovely time - we only stayed one night and would definitely recommend two to experience everything it has to offer. The food at both restaurants was great quality and really tasty, as was all of the wine we tasted (you get a complimentary tasting with your stay which was really fun)! The only downfall was the lack of noise control - we had a really noisy group downstairs which kept us awake at night and you could also hear everyone in the corridor outside of our room really clearly. Our feeling is that a hotel of this kind should be adults only, which was also heightened by the fact you could hear children in the corridor… not the most relaxing! Overall though the views were amazing and the staff were helpful with lots of suggestions on what to do in the area in terms of walks etc. and we would definitely recommend. …
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
This is a near perfect getaway. Accomodation is beautiful. Great pool, spa is well heated and we used it in August. Can’t really fault anything except … We ate there for dinner and breakfast. Breakfast was awesome and possibly one of the better breakfasts I’ve had. I had the spanner crab omelette and my wife had the chicken burger. Weird for breakfast but it was 11.00am and who cares. Wife even had a champagne. Dinner the night before was great. Maybe I expected too much. We ate here when it first opened and one of the lamb dishes I said was the best single dish I’ve ever had. This time the food was still great, way in front of other stuff that gets good reviews. But at $130 per head without drinks I’m expecting it to be near perfect. Duck was a tiny bit over done but otherwise a wonderful dish. The beef rib possibly a bit strong in taste. Maybe we mis-ordered but after two fantastic entrees I wasn’t floored by the mains. On an aside the beers they have (including free mini bar) are average. I tried a few and didn’t like any. They’re either in-house or local (Jetty Road Dromana) but don’t expect them to go interstate. It’s still got my fav dish I’ve ever had - lamb and pea purée, but sadly not this time. Bucket list this venue for a night. Great place. Expect to pay. See how you go on the evolving menu.…
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Parking is easy as pie. Venue well designed.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My wife and I finished a business trip in Melbourne with two nights at this wonderful property. The staff are exceptional as is the food and wine. We chose a vineyard view room which had a private balcony with beautiful views across to vineyards on Tuscan slopes and beyond. The property would definitely have received a 5 star review from us but for a couple of unfortunate issues that are worth bearing in mind if you book here. The website plainly states that their restaurants prioritise bookings of guests staying at the property. If this is the case, then the fact is that they have more guests than they can properly accommodate. Our room tariff for two nights included a 7 course degustation at Doot Doot Doot and a credit towards a meal at Rare Hare which is their second restaurant. The staff were apologetic and appropriate but we were forced to take it or leave it with an 8:45pm seating at one and an 8pm seating at the other because they were so busy. We were given no choice at all, and at our ages such late full course dining doesn’t agree with us. Room service was extremely slow as we were again told apologetically that they are so busy. When at 5.30pm, we went to the only bar to enjoy a drink or two before our late dinner booking, we were sent away (politely) because the bar was too full. As a guest at this remotely located hotel this effectively sends you back to your room because there is no where else to go. In many years of luxury travel I don’t recall a similar incident. I’m led to believe this wonderfully quirky property, with such exceptional staff, are biting off more than they can chew. They are obviously riding a crest of popularity (well deserved) which I hope is not adversely affected by not properly catering to guests needs.…
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Stayed here with a group friends, Eclectic hotel with unique artwork & sculptures to explore. Breakfast included in room rate as is the mini bar. Popcorn & choc top icecreams available through room service 24/7. Had a private dinner in the function room & the food was amazing & staff very attentive. Found the Rare Hare menu a bit limited & as we were a group of 12 they wanted us to have the share menu which didnt suit.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2022
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
Decided to stay at Jackalope through word of mouth. Nestled down in the Mornington peninsula, the hotel has two amazing restaurants and a winery attached. The rooms themselves are an open plan design which some may find strange having the bath tub immediately behind the bed. Everything in the mini bar is included and the service and check in process was exceptional. The television is a good size and close enough to the bed for us to see. We could only get a table at Doot doot doot since the other venue was booked out for a function. They offered a degustation menu. Not all the food combinations worked but credit must be given for their boldness. The wine selection was also impressive both with the meal and in the cellar. Breakfast was both buffet style and ala Carte. The pool and bar as well as the normal bar were both great places to spend a lazy afternoon. The cocktails and drinks as well as snacks were all delectable. Overall jackalope has all the hallmarks of what you’d expect in an world class five star hotel except for one small but annoying thing. The internet unfortunately was incredibly inconsistent throughout the entire hotel. Speeds were around the 10-25Mbps at peak but often dropped down to below 1. It made doing anything on the internet such as work or streaming extremely difficult. There was also no streaming apps on the televisions which made it even more difficult to watch content relaxing in bed. The 3G mobile signal available in the area was also pretty bad. Still, Jackalope will be close to perfection for many and I’d expect most people are not that concerned regarding access to the internet. Certainly it will have a special place in my heart but misses out on being top tier elite due to lack of high speed internet which in my opinion is an absolute must in this day in age…
Read more
Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Do not bother bringing work along as the internet is barely usable even for simple text based...
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$365 - $520 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaVictoriaMornington PeninsulaMerricks North
NUMBER OF ROOMS
44
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingJACKALOPE HOTEL - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews (Merricks North, Australia)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jackalope Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Jackalope Hotel?
Nearby attractions include The Funky Farm (4.4 miles), Pt. Leo Estate (4.5 miles), and Merricks General Store (3.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Jackalope Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Jackalope Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Jackalope Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Jackalope Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Orita's 2, Le Bouchon French Cuisine, and Polperro Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Jackalope Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Jackalope Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Jackalope Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Is Jackalope Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.