The Karri Valley Chalets are located some 18 km outside Pemberton in a peaceful clearing backed by majestic karri trees. Kookaburras, parrots and kangaroos can be seen regularly from the veranda and for those with a more active disposition, a path literally at the back of the chalets leads you to the Bibbulmun Track and the nearby Beedelup Falls. Pemberton itself has plenty to offer, from tram and boat rides, to wine tasting and fishing. The Bicentennial Tree (an old fire lookout that you can climb) and numerous hikes in the surrounding national parks should satisfy most outdoor enthusiasts. Bird and wildflower spotting possibilities abound (in season) and the Big Brook Dam is a good place to fish and see waterbirds. The owners of the resort were welcoming and pleasant and went out of their way to be helpful.

Location, wildlife and hosts all got top marks therefore. It was the chalet itself that let the side down. For starters the four chalets are set close together (on our first evening one of our neighbours played very loud music and we could smell their cigarette smoke from our veranda) and the one-way access road runs right in front of them, so whichever chalet you are in, you do hear cars coming and going (not that there are many as the drive is private). The narrow veranda doesn’t have room for a table (although there were two chairs) so eating outside isn’t comfortable. Inside, the chalet was clean but sterile and bleak, the bathroom was tiny and only soap was provided (no shampoo). The log-fire had been cleaned for the season (and perhaps also because of the bush fire threat, though we used the ones in the other places we stayed at), so we couldn’t use it even though the nights were still cold and we had to turn on the heating. The one bedroom that had been left unlocked (why lock the other rooms? We wouldn’t have used them, but having them closed made the place feel even more inhospitable) and faced onto the forest at the back. The kitchen was well equipped and the living room came with a TV/DVD player and a stereo, but with no TV network coverage, DVDs had to be rented from the extensive library at the reception. We didn’t mind the lack of a TV as we weren’t there to watch it, but we did mind the fact that DVDs cost $4 ($10 for 3). Surely they should be complementary (they were in other places we stayed at), especially when no TV is available (I’m thinking in particular of people with kids or of people with kids on rainy days!). And it’s not the price, it’s the principle.

We stayed at several other resorts with chalets on our trip, but we felt this one was the worse value for money (accommodation-wise) and the one we liked least unfortunately and although it was better than “average”, we didn’t find it “very good” either, so until Trip Advisor includes a “good”, an average it must be. I realise this is very subjective, but I do think the website is a tad misleading and the Karri Valley Chalets are certainly not my idea of Heaven on Earth. Sorry.

Stayed at Karri Valley Chalets for 5 nites last month and was amazed by the diverse wildlife, beautiful forest, and the accommodating hosts, who pointed me to many sites of interest in the area. There is a huge mob of kangaroos and some emus that kept me enthralled. Accommodation was very comfortable and we loved the cosy log burning fire in our chalet. Well worth returning next time we're down this way.
Karin.
Perth, WA

My wife and I had made a booking for two nights around 20th January 2011 as part of a big trip to Australia from the UK. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances we had to cancel our reservation. We had originally made the reservation at the end of November and cancelled the reservation only a week later. We were then informed that unless they could re-sell the chalet for the January date we had booked, we would have to pay one nights accommodation (which arguably it does state in the T&Cs but who really reads the T&Cs). We never heard anything back from the owners and can only assume that despite Jan being a peak period they did not manage to rent out our chalet and no refund was therefore made- although we were never notified either way, and who knows whether it was rented or not, given they have a number of chalets!

Whilst I understand the challenge independent hotel/B&B owners have with cancellations- we cancelled within a week!- and with 7 weeks notice!- Having stayed in 1000s of Hotels/B&Bs I have NEVER come across this kind of condition- perhaps with 24 hrs or 1 weeks notice but 7 weeks- its absurd. I think this is the first complaint I have ever made within hospitality but wanted to warn others and hope that the owners understand this is not the way to treat potential guests- we would without doubt have spent the money another time and stayed with you, but not now. Shame.

The chalet itself is somewhat average despite its excellent maintenance and its view on the lawn and the forest. The owners are really helpful and are doing their best to make your stay as perfect as possible, this is really remarkable. The chalet is very very quiet, and you can't miss the kangaroos and the emus + other wildlife. It is really worth spending there at least a few days to enjoy the Pemberton area and the company of the kangaroos in the evening. There is no such thing than drinking a beer on your terrace in front of twenty kangaroos playing around!