Cumberland Resort & Spa

We expected a “resort” which this property does not live up to in any sense. This is more a motel built around a car park with a above ground communal spa in one corner. Property is dated and in need of maintenance and upgrading. For example our patio was the storeroom for a spare washing machine. Rooms do not have a view, many other properties on the island do. Car provided as part of package was on its last legs.

We booked the package for Norfolk Island for 7 nights. This included staying at a ‘4 star’ accommodation called Cumberland Resort & Spa. Our initial impressions were not good. We arrived at our unit which had been described as an Executive Spa Villa. It was not what we expected. Were our expectations too high? I think not as we’ve stayed in many accommodations that are 4 star and this at best was 2. The toilet flush was broken …this was fixed straight away by the owner getting a plumber in. The accommodation was tired looking, appliances showing wear and tear …I couldn’t read the oven dials as they were so faded. The extractor fan didn’t work. Labels on the bin were faded so you couldn’t tell what you were supposed to put in them. The walls and doors all need a lick of paint. The furniture was dated and we had a wobbly coffee table! The shower wasn’t the cleanest looking and all over it looked like it hadn’t been maintained well. Then we were shown the hire car …this was an embarrassment…it was 19 years old and had many scratches and dents on it and it looked awful and the interior was dirty. Based on what I’d paid for the package I was expecting a newer model. We certainly didn’t pay budget prices for this package! The owner was notified and seemed mortified and shocked but in hindsight and further research this wouldn’t be news to him based on some TripAdvisor reviews! He was very defensive and insisted that it was ‘4 star’ and that it had good ratings. Also the excuse for many things was the lack of rain and everyone was experiencing drought conditions. This has nothing to do with what we had observed. The gardens were very scruffy and you could see many structures that needed attention …fencing, pool gate etc! You couldn’t see the outside shower head near the pool as vegetation had taken over. The pool and spa area were scruffy with torn seats and old furniture. A faded tarpaulin covered the pool which you were to roll back yourself! I had a look underneath but there were black marks all over the bottom (doesn’t look at all like the photo) and the dials and jets were rusty looking… not inviting at all. I never saw anyone use that area. The gate was a big concern as it was left off the latch. Yes there is a sign to close the gate but clearly that is not checked. We had to lift the gate up (heavy) for it to engage in the latch. That badly needs attention. Anyway we complained to our travel agents Traveldream and they informed the owner. He spoke to us and offered us an upgrade to a romantic spa villa. This was an improvement but again issues …the shower(only hot water almost scalded ourselves) and no plug for the spa bath. We put up with it as didn’t want to keep complaining. The microwave oven is up too high and dangerous at that level to take hot food in and out. We were offered for the last 2 nights ‘The White House’ which is 4kms away. This is more 4 star and some of the photos from that are used to advertise the ‘resort’ in the town

Central location, however definitely not a resort/spa or even close. It was somewhere to sleep, should of done more research of other other options. TV was useless and unwatchable, and a few cockroaches were included for free. Would not recommend.

We had such a beautiful stay at Cumberland Resort and Spa. Tima and her team are super accommodating. Helped us book multiple tours before we even flew over. Some first morning breakfast was supplied which was super helpful before the Island Orientation tour. 11 people were in our group and we all had an incredible time. Close enough to town that you could walk if you wanted but the cars are helpful to get elsewhere! Thank you Tima!

As with the other reviews, don't believe the pictures. While the hosts were lovely and very helpful, the place is tired and nothing like the photos. The pool was closed, the rooms basic and the facilities way overdue for an upgrade. Likewise the hire car! It's a great location but the accommodation is nothing like what we were sold in the ads.

On arrival we were absolutely disappointed, definitely not what the website photos indicated . The exterior is very rundown, we were offered a tea/coffee as a 'welcome drink', 'breakfast included' for a week for 3 adults was a loaf of bread, 3 x small long life milk, 3 x small juices, a basket of butter and assorted jams. The pool area was uninviting. The staff were friendly and very helpful and accommodating. The rooms were clean and adequately stocked.