Right from the minute you pull up at reception and the owners rush out to meet you and say "follow us!" you know you're going to end up somewhere special. We followed the hotel van around a dirt road until our cottage appeared between the trees. Each of the properties offered by Cape Howe Cottages sits nestled in amongst the trees and is completely private.

The cottage itself was excellent, We stayed in "Cakes n Ale Cottage" with a veranda looking out over the forrest below. Two good sized bedrooms with ample storeage, a well equipped kitchen and a comfortable living area. However, we spent most of our time sitting on the veranda and enjoying the sounds of the forrest and the ocean just a couple of kilometers away.

The owners have thought of everything, from providing you with binoculars when you get your keys so that you can do a bit of bird watching if you fancy it, to a book swapping service, DVD rental, toiletries for sale if you've forgotten something, "room service" delivered to your door, and even a selection of jams, chutneys, sauces and spice rubs from their own brand - The Spicery (We had the Brinjal Chutney with some barbequed pork chops and it was great!).

Location-wise, the Albany/Denmark region is quite spread out and so you definitely need a car to explore. But that's the point of this place. It's remote.

This was a great place to stay with friends but we will definitely be going back just the two of us for a weekend away for two.

We stayed in Abode 9 Apartment in the beautiful seaside town of Albany. Although the exterior of the building isn't much to look at, the moment we stepped through the door, we went "Wow". It feels like a home away from home as the owner had taken great care in furnishing and maintaining the apartment. Quality toiletries were provided and the rooms were so "oh so cosy", and smells great. Very peaceful surrounds with a partial view of the harbour. There's no receptionist, so you're totally on your own, living like a resident. A downside is there's no lift service, so be prepared to carry your luggage up a flight of steps to the next floor.

We stayed here in July 2011 and had a great time. We stayed in the Wardroom cottage and were very impressed. Beautiful bush setting, seculded and excellent views from the varandah. The cottage was clean with an excellent kitchen and the hosts have obviously taken time to think of everything you may need for your stay, excellent attention to detail.

The Wardroom was larger than we needed (two adults and 1 toddler) but worth the extra $ - would definitely recommend and will stay again if we return to the area.

We stayed in the "King's Den" Cottage. It is a single storey cottage with bush views (don't assume they all have verandahs overlooking the valley, if you want this ask which one is featured in the advertising). It is essentially two 'pods' joined by a walkway. The first pod has the kitchen, dining, living area (with wood fire) and is comfortably decorated and has a good kitchen. The second pod has the bed (on a wooden platform) as well as the spa etc and a sitting area. The bedroom has lovely linen and the views into the bush are very nice. Getting into and out of the spa is a bit of an adventure as there is no step up so be careful.

We had a nice stay but I wouldn't say it was wow, fabulous etc. Personally, I think it falls between two kinds of accommodation- the luxury couples retreat and the bushwalkers self catering accommodation. It wasn't quite luxury enough to claim to be the first one and it's a bit too nice and expensive ($250 a night) for the second. We were somewhat bemused by the small print in the information pack that informs you that you are entitled to 2 rolls of toilet paper per stay and if you run out of fire starters you have to pay $5 for some more. We did not have to do this during our 3 night stay but I would have been cross if it was necessary, at $250 a night I think an extra roll of toilet paper ought to be a given!

We stopped in Albany on the way in to stock up on supplies (a great place called Reeves on Campbell which had good fruit and veg, ready made meals, terrific deli etc). You definitely need to do this as the only place to get supplies is a small general store in Young's Siding and you wouldn't want to be buying dinner and lunch food here- more a milk and newspaper place). The owners do room service meals which look nice but we didn't try these.

The people who run it are nice and the experience was fine, perhaps a good place if you want to walk and stay in a bit of luxury. It is a very serene location if you want to get away from it all.