In September 2011, my wife emailed Organic B&B through STAYZ website and then direct with Organic B&B and booked us and a small dog for 2 nights’ accommodation, this being 30th and 31st December 2012. This accommodation was to end a wonderful holiday experience we had up north in Queensland and to see the New Year in on the beach at Airlie Beach.

On the 30th December, some 4 hours from Airlie Beach my wife phoned Organic B&B to confirm that we would be arriving a little late, as we were driving from Palm Cove. Upon our arrival we went to book in, with our emailed communication in hand and to our amazement the lady who runs the B&B (Janet) stated that she could not find our booking?

My wife explained that we had made a booking through the internet and that she had telephoned and spoke to Janet giving her our credit card details to hold the room. My wife could also recount the conversation that she had had to Janet. Janet's excuse was that we did not have an email confirming that we had booked the room. Obviously we did not know the B&B’s booking requirement that is was our responsibility to gain the confirmation from Janet – we naturally thought that as she had our credit cards details, we were booked in? Janet did find a room to accommodation us, but it was what I would call a "Faulty Towers experience" where we were shunted from one room to another room within minutes to accommodate other guests arriving.

I went to pay for the room for the 2 night, only to discover that Janet could only accommodate us for 1 night. Janet did make attempts to accommodate us at other accommodation but with our dog and New Year’s Eve celebrations it was trying to find a needle in a haystack.

With the thoughts hanging over us of being kicked out next day with no accommodation, we retired to the deck with a bottle of wine. Janet came out about 7.00pm and chatted with us for a while with still no answer on the accommodate plans for the following day.

In the morning we arrived for breakfast, it was great for my wife as she is a vegetarian whereas for myself, I enjoy a large breakfast, I did reject a fruit bowl, but to my dismay I received a piece of organic bread with a slice of cooked tomato with and egg on top. Followed by breakfast desert.

At breakfast Janet confirmed that she could not accommodate us and that we would need to vacate the room. Janet said that another couple had purchased that room for $300.00 - this felt like we had to bid for that room for New Year’s Eve. We paid $231.00 which was the advertised price?

After that we packed up and left.

Organic B&B Airley Beach spoilt our planned New Year’s Celebrations at Airlie Beach, which we had planned since September and ruined the rest of our holidays as we had to re-book all other accommodation returning home early.

To add further insult we received a 50% off accommodation voucher the other day, which I will send back, we will not be staying there or recommending others to stay there.

For readers interest the reception desk area was totally disorganised with paper and odds and ends no wonder the booking was lost.

Enjoyed our stay at Whitsunday Organic. Staff were very helpful and booked us a really fantastic (and suitable to our needs) sailing trip and held our luggage while we were gone (2 nights). Our room was very comfortable and the little touches like organic soap and homemade breakfast were excellent. It's pricey but we felt it was worth it.

Recently my wife, dog and I together with a friend found ourselves waiting in Airlie Beach for some repairs to be completed on our car. Once our accommodation had run out we decided to book a few nights at the Organic B&B as a special treat.

We found a special on 'Stayz' and called to make an enquiry. Surprise number one; while the listing on Stayz suggested the room was 'pet friendly' we were advised that for our dog to stay with us we would need to book a different room at a slightly higher, though discounted rate. We agreed, booked the room and turned up in the late afternoon.

The greeting was friendly however soon followed surprise number two. The advertising on the Organic B&B website offer a 'complimentary glass of wine.' We were told however on arrival that there was no wine. A tad disappointed we retired to a very comfortable night sleep in our neat, but basic room.

The following morning we were greeted with the biggest surprise of all. The website suggests all prices are inclusive of a three course breakfast consisting of and I quote from their website, "The menu varies each morning to give variety to guests staying for more than a few days. This means organic pancakes one morning, organic fruit muffins straight from the oven the next... A hot breakfast is offered each morning with organic eggs, oven roasted tomatoes and whatever is seasonal."

For some unknown reason we were only served a two course breakfast, one very small serve of fruit pieces each and a thin crepe the size of a tea saucer. A little unsure of ourselves we produced our own bread for the toaster. Asking for some jam for the toast seemed to offend our hostess who only wanted to give us honey. With some persuasion however we did manage to prize a small serve of jam from her.

The next morning we raised the 'three course breakfast' and asked where the eggs and tomatoes were? To this, in front of the other guests, the hostess answered that we were on a 'hostel rate' and were not entitled to the full breakfast. Quite an insult considering we were paying more than the advertised special which we called about! This was the first we had heard of the cheap, reduced service 'hostel rate' and so we returned to the internet to double check their advertising in which we found nothing about her claimed rate.

After further discussions with the management we did manage to receive the full breakfast on our third morning, however it was served rather begrudgingly.

Discussing the matter of the reduced service we were met with nothing but defensive excuses from both staff members who we talked with and no further effort was made on their behalf to compensate us for the two mornings of reduced servings or the missing glass of wine.

While the surroundings were pleasant, we were made to feel like unwelcome house guests. The staff watched their own T.V programs in shared spaces, made condescending comments while watching us prepare our own tea and coffee and generally owned the space forcing us to retire to our room while there.

If you do stay here make sure to verify what is included with the staff taking the booking and don't presume their advertising to be correct.

I would not recommend staying at the Organic Bed and breakfast in Airlie Beach.
We stayed there for 2 nights in May this year, 2011, and found the hosts not so hosty at all.
In fact, I would have to say that the lady who runs the B&B, Janet, was very rude and unwelcoming.
She made us feel like we were a real burden , and did not make us feel very comfortable at all.
Would suggest staying elsewhere, where the operators are cheery and welcoming.