BIG4 Kryal Castle Holiday Park Ballarat

Terrible rooms. We booked a 4 sleeper cabin not realising that it was 2 separate cabins. We stated that our kids were under 8 and no one advised us that this was the layout. So if you're willing to leave young children unsupervised in a cabin that you can't get into quickly you and your other half are sleeping in separate rooms.The rooms themselves are cramped, only big enough for the bed. There is no other furniture or even somewhere to put your suitcase.We had water pooling on the floors before even getting in due to the rain and the fact the doors lack any type of weather strip which was allowing more water in.Luckily the duty manager brought us more towels to mop up and seal the bottom of the doors. He also was kind enough to bring extra cutlery as whoever does the cleaning, missed knives, forks and glasses. Nothing worse than finding the previous guests' dirty cutlery and glasses in your room.The weather was terrible overnight. One of cabin doors kept banging like someone was trying to break in and the exhaust fan in the bathroom was rattling all night.We were given a complimentary buffet breakfast for the experience which sounded fair at the time but in reality was almost a sick joke.You make your way into the castle's abbey for breakfast. This was exciting as your memories of old mediaeval movies start to play in your mind.It was 3 degrees outside and maybe 4 degrees inside. The only fire going were the tiny burners under the pityful excuse for a buffet. We had the 9am sitting. Got in at 9.10 to find people in beanies, down filled vests and full goretex with their breath visible, probably wondering why no one bothered to light the fire in the fireplace. Even if the physics of radiant heat wasn't going to efficiently heat up the abbey it could have given the diners some respite. The food at 9.10 had all but gone. A few cooked up frozen hash browns returning to their initial frigid state, some cold bacon, fried eggs and tomato.The untrained staff hid behind the bar totally relying on the diners to inform them of the lack of food or juice.They were, however, only too happy to nuke a diner's plate of cold food and did make a decent coffee which albeit cooled down within the first 2 minutes to a temperature you'd be comfortable giving to a 3 year old.The fact that this would cost $80 for a family of 4 is criminal.Dare I say it, but the Macca's breakfast is hotter, fresher and more inviting at half the price and you can leave the goretex in the car.The place has a lot of potential but the staff need training and the cabins need maintenance despite looking less than 5 years old.I can't recommend this place to anyone other than those using their own caravans or tradie couples who might be able to do some free repairs during their stay. The fact that at this time castle entry is also included is a small win. Such a pity.