By JESSE GRAHAM
THE YARRA Valley has been given a look-in on a national level, with local accommodation businesses listed as some of the most-loved by visitors online.
Accommodation ratings website, Star Ratings, announced its Gold List for accommodation providers late last year, with venues ranked by guest experiences and reviews.
In its motels section, Healesville’s Yarra Gables Motel has taken second place in its National Top 10 Motels, second place in Victoria and fourth place in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
Owner Ralph Henderson told the Mail that the listing was a “big vote of confidence” in the business.
“We’ve only been here since February last year, so it’s a big vote of confidence, because it’s all based on what the guests are saying about you,” he said.
The motel was ranked 9.6 out of 10, based on 27 reviews from visitors.
He said he received an email from Star Ratings, letting him know the business was listed in the top 10 for the region.
It wasn’t until he saw two more emails from the company that he realised it had been given a spot on all three of the Top 10 lists.
Mr Henderson said that, for accommodation businesses, reviews from guests and word-of-mouth were important for growing the business – and attracting new customers.
“The hardware, the actual bricks and mortar, cups and glasses are important, but the customer service people get is important as well,” he said.
“Whether they’re looked after, whether they get a warm welcome, whether they get good advice of where to go to dinner, they’re all important – they all make up a part of the visitor experience.”
In the Victorian top 10 lists, Marysville’s Tower Motel was ranked fourth in its field, while Dalrymples Guest Cottages and Amelina Cottages in Marysville were ranked third and ninth in the Self-Catered top 10, and Olinda’s Gracehill Accommodation and Healesville’s Wide Horizons Bed and Breakfast came third and fifth on the Hosted Accommodation list.
Mr Henderson said the results showed that tourists enjoyed visiting and staying in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
“If people can read that people are coming here, having a good time and getting good customer service, then that’s only going to help,” he said.
“We’re not here to argue with people about who stays where – we just want more people coming to the Yarra Valley and enjoying it, because it’s a great place.”
