Destination S.A

They have a saying at the Lakes Resort Hotel that sums up beautifully the experience of being a guest - "The only thing we overlook is the lake". Sounds real simple but in an era when consumers constantly complain about the lack of service by many business and service providers a weekend trip to the "Lakes" was a reminder of days gone by when service was everything. The "Lakes" has been a landmark at West Lakes and casts its imposing shadow over the West Lakes area which is just 10 minutes from the airport and around 20 minutes from the city. Over the years the resort has attracted numerous awards and I can't think of a year gone by since the redevelopement took place that they haven't won one. What has been the major contributor to those awards is that there is a hell of a lot packed comfortably into what is not big by the standards of todays hotel & resort buildings. Add to that their very competitive room rates (which includes a hearty cooked buffet style breakfast), the award winning Crusoe's Restaurant, a fabulous Bistro, well equiped gym (complete with swimming pool) and your starting to get a good insight into why the "Lakes" is so popular. My weekend started with a late check-in on a Friday afternoon. It was warm & 30+ degrees outside but inside the "Lakes" it was suitably pleasant. The friendly staff soon had me checked in and on my way to the fifth floor and my room. The location here is most stunning as a photo opportunity and a request for the best vantage spot saw me high above the surrounds. The room was well laid out and provided plenty of creature comforts for the weary traveller or that special occassion away from home. Everything was spotless and comfortable with complimentary toothbrush, soap and shower cap. Plenty of large soft fluffy towels were provided for when it came time to choosing between a bath or shower. The rooms all come with a lakeside balcony and the views were spectacular. Yes there are tea and coffee making facilities and a well stocked mini bar with reasonable prices. For the room bound there is multi channel television and in room services with plenty to choose from on the menu. Talking menus my evening meal would be in the award winning Crusoe's Restaurant something which really is first class.

Trevor and his staff provided constant table service to all diners as the evening progressed. Once again the lakeside is a feature and the views at night across the water from the restaurant make a pleasant backdrop to dining. Once the menu was presented to me I was faced with some very hard choices. No not because there was too much to choose from but everything sounded so bloody good. It was a toss up between the Chicken Curry with Cashews and the Wild Mushroom Terrine that created an initial holdup but in the end I settled for the Terrine as a starter. The foursome at the next table started up a conversation with me and it was during this period that their starters arrived. When I saw the size of the Chicken and Cashews I knew I had made the right descision. To have tackled that as my first course would have left me struggling the rest of the evening. The Terrine arrived and was duly despatched to the nether regions of a very grateful stomach which now soundly aroused was eagerly awaiting the Center Cut Beef Fillet with a wild mushroom and red wine demi I had chosen as the main course. It was a meal fit for a king or queen and deliberately chosen to test the chef. I like my steaks medium to well while most chefs prefer them to be rare and thats a big problem because sometimes you encounter a chef who gives you steak the way he or she wants you to have it. Not so at Crusoe's as it was cooked to perfection.

That also applied to the array of garden fresh vegetables that came in a side dish. Next up was to tackle the dessert selection. Heck I really was in trouble by this time and feeling a bit sheepish ordered the Smoke and Mirrors. When it arrived I knew I was in real trouble but for the sake of our readers I offered myself as the ultimate sacrifice and waded in. Served in a tall glass the dessert comprised a Fig and Galliano parfait enhanced by a passionfruit and blackberry couilis while the top of the glass was covered in a whispy mist of stranded toffee. It was sheer indulgence at its very best but I completed the task and then finished a delightful nights dining with a black coffee and cream. It was time to hit the sack but not before taking in the night air and the beautiful views of both the coastline and the distant Adelaide skyline from first the glass enclosed walkway of the fifth floor and then finally relaxing on the balcony of my room. In a still night the lake reflected a myriad of colors from both shorelines while to the east the city skyline looked as though you could just reach out and touch it. As I slipped between the covers I felt as though home was far, far away and not as it really was less than an hour south. This is the life I thought to myself, life at the "Lakes" and I still had another day to go, but that will be another story for another time.

Postcards from West Lakes

The Lakes Resort Hotel 141 Brebner Drive West Lakes South Australia 5021

Phone Fax email website

(08)8356 4444 (08)8353 1212 here www.lakesresorthotel.com.au