Silkwood Estate

My partner and I first discovered Silkwood Estate in 2018 where we popped in for a tasting and decided to stay for lunch. There is no other way of putting it. The meal blew our mind. The salted caramel iecream with a Zin Liqueur is still the benchmark for my favourite dessert. We came down again during COVID to have a break and to stayed at the Silkwood chalets. It was gorgeous. A luxurious space, with a very comfortable spa, a welcoming fireplace and gorgeous private lake overlooking the Karri Forrest whilst sitting back enjoying one of Silkwoods fabulous wines. The complimentary breakfast provisions were absolutely delicious. Sadly however , due to COVID the restaraunt was closed so we passed our time enjoying the very peaceful bush walks opposite the lake, and exploring Pemberton. Skip to 2023, where on hearing the restaraunt had re-opened we were excited to return for another long weekend. In short, it was sublime. Easily one of the best meals we have ever had anywhere. For starters I had the Lamb, my partner had the grilled asparagus. For mains, we both got the beef. For desserts I had the quince crumble with salted caremel ice cream and my partner had a pavlova with a baked fig soaked in Liqueur (the Zin from Silkwood, which is an absolute must try!) Honestly, the entire experience was outstanding. A stunning meal, with a beautiful setting looking out to the lake and Karri forrest beyond. Literally my only hesitation in writing this review is my apprehension of making it harder for us to get a booking for lunch in the future. But alas, the chef, George, who we had the pleasure of talking to after our meal, continues to do an amazing job with the menu, and im sure bookings will need to be made weeks in advance before too long. A foodies dream and an absolute must visit in WAs South West.

This is the third time we have stayed at Silkwood. We went there for our honeymood and liked it so much we have been every year since. They do great deals if you book directly through their website which include stay four nights pay for three or our option, stay seven nights pay for five. The five star architect designed chalets are luxurious and on the accomodation deals you receive a breakfast hamper with lots of goodies which lasts you for quite a while. The 5 chalets are right on the waters edge and are very peaceful if you want that break from the everyday pressures of life. Washer/dryer, dishwasher a huge spa bath and comfortable king sized bed make staying in the chalets a pleasure. The cellar door and restaurant have recently reopened after a COVID hiatus, and although we haven't been there it looks quite enticing. A new addition since our last visit is a wine fridge in the chalet fully stocked with local product and available for purchase (charged to your credit card after checkout). Ducted reverse cycle A/C and gas log fire mean you can stay cool in summer and toasty warm in winter. There is an IGA grocery store in Pemberton which is less than 20mins away so you can always stock up on food and other essentials.

Lovely remote, tranquil setting, just 4 chalets. Advertised as 5*. In fairness they probably were 10 years ago. The facilities in the chalet are very good, fully functional kitchen, with a washing machine. However, no clothes airer, which I couldn’t understand as clothes dried within hours in the sunshine, instead of using the built in dryer in the machine. The reason for me only giving 3*s is because we arrived late afternoon, I ALWAYS check the bedding before anything else on arrival. I wasn’t impressed with the fluffy fur and sequins but that was easily removed and stored in the blanket box. But pulling back the duvet to my horror the bedding was soiled 😳 i tried to contact the estate, bearing in mind no phone signal at all, just wifi, which was excellent, but never heard back the first night, so my husband and I stripped the bed and turned it upside down and inside out to get the soiling at the foot of the bed, not the top. Also a heated blanket, in the summer? We removed that too as the connectors were placed right at breast height, uncomfortable. The next morning I left a written note in hope somebody would call in, they did, the cleaner left me a note apologising saying she/he wasn’t sure how it had been missed it! I can live with dust and cobwebs but not soiled sheets. The place needs a good deep clean, surface clean is obviously done, but look up and down and on window ledges. What makes a 5* a 5* ?

A very pleasant stay in ‘Merlot’ chalet, the first one along from the Restaurent and nicely located / isolated. Beautiful lakeside setting. As we were only staying one night and noticed the Restaurent/tasting cellar was only open for lunch we asked if the chef (George) could prepare us something to cook in the chalet. He produced a mouthwatering dinner with the best steak - Hand delivered to the chalet with everything we needed. Excellent service. Chalet - bed could do with replacing but this did not detract from our enjoyment. . But overall just perfect. We washed a load of clothes but as a previous comment a washing line would have been very much appreciated. Tumble dryer function not the best and clothes dried in a matter of hours outside. Good base to discover the Pemberton wine region. And what better to start with than the Silkwood Walcott Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Highly recommend.

We were well prepared for our arrival here so knew what to expect. It is secluded with basically no staff and - unfortunately - the cellar door and restaurant are mostly closed so there is nothing else on site. It’s also not serviced so if you stay a few days your bed etc won’t be made. Knowing this going in meant it wasn’t a surprise and I note that seems to be a consistent theme in negative reviews. Positives: - we liked how quiet and secluded it was and were happy staff didn’t bother us, self check in is also a huge positive for us - the small fridge was useful and a good size - the breakfast hamper was easily enough for us for 2 days,. It consisted of bread, jam, butter, 4 eggs, 2 yoghurts, muesli and teas/coffees as well as apple juice - the free wine and other options in the wine cooler was a great inclusion - there were baby ducks! Bring frozen peas! - bed and pillows were very comfortable - anywhere child free is a huge tick for us. I do note infants are allowed and that concerns me given the proximity of the other chalets and some of my points below Things to consider: - while these are advertised as private luxury chalets, there are 4 in a row about 15-20m apart. They are private but while sitting on your deck you can hear the conversations of the people next to you. You can also hear quite clearly if you are unlucky enough to get a neighbour who plays music on their deck or stays up drinking and talking loudly to midnight - the bath tub was a great inclusion but I do wish you could see the view from it - we knew before we arrived the cellar door and restaurant were closed except weekends and while I understand why, it’s still really disappointing there is no food option at this price point. Surely they could offer something like Injidup Retreat do where they partner with a local restaurant and with 24hrs notice, food can be ordered and delivered? - given there is no restaurant within walking distance it was extra disappointing that there is no oil for the BBQ or pan, no BBQ cleaner and no condiments so everything must be bought from scratch

We had a wonderful stay at Silkwood in one of the chalets (Shiraz). When we arrived we were greeted by George (chef at the restaurant) as were werent 100% sure what the check in process was. George made us feel at ease with a wine tasting, and since Pemberton has slightly limited choices for dinner and we checked in slightly later on in the day, George offered to make us up and burger and fries, and bring them down to the chalet. The burger was one of the best we've ever had. The chalet itself is well equipped, and so quiet, and an excellent place to switch off and get some time away. Wonderful views and surrounded by nature and great wine and 🍔 5*