A BED and Breakfast in Bundanoon has made the top 10 in the accommodation rankings in NSW, according to trivago.
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Bundanoon Lodge was ranked 10th in the online hotel search site's reputation ranking, which is based on more than 200 million aggregated ratings compiled from more than 250 online booking websites.
Bundanoon Lodge had an average user rating of 93.68 and ranks 27th in Australia. The hotel has held top position in the Southern Highlands for two years running (it ranked 11th in the state and 43rd nationally last year).
Strathburn Cottage in Bowral follows with an 87.65 rating and the Links House in Bowral sits in third place with an average rating of 86.56.
Bundanoon Lodge owners Graeme and Marie-Louise Corin said they simply aim to give people a good experience and attract a lot of repeat business.
"There are about five things that make this work," Mr Corin said. "First, we started with the right property, and we are in a beautiful area. We genuinely enjoy what we do, Marie-Louise has a great eye for interior design and we cook great breakfasts."
"It's a boutique hotel really."
The Corin bought the property in 2011 when the property was known as Park Lodge and undertook significant renovations. Today the lodge offers five large guestrooms in a separate wing, all with ensuites, kitchenettes and their own entrance.
"We really try to ensure people have a great time in the Highlands. Bundanoon is an extremely active town and the activities and attractions are incredible considering the size of the town," Mr Corin said. "We offer good discounts for longer stays to encourage people to explore the region."
The business is the couple's first experience in hospitality, although Mr Corin has a background in catering.
They were travelling around Australia on their Harley Davidsons (the pair had met on a motorbike tour) and were in Fremantle when they saw the advertisement for the property.
"We left the bikes and flew back here. As soon as we came down the driveway, we thought 'wow'," Mrs Corin said.
The pair were looking for a way they could work together and knew they were good with people and had each run their own business in the past.
"We completely renovated in eight weeks - we had to have it open by Brigadoon in 2011," Mr Corin said.
He said he business had really taken off in the past couple of years.
"Our reviews are so high people are suspicious. But after they have been here, they realise it's true."
However rather than basking in their success, the Corins have decided to go out on a high and have put the property on the market.
"My wife says that if you don't have a challenge you don't grow," Mr Corin said, and the couple is now looking for a property to indulge Mr Corin's love of horses.
"It's been beautiful here and we have a really good relationship with the other guest houses in town - we all help each other out. But it's time to move on," Mr Corin said.
But will the next property have any accommodation?
"I'm thinking that we might open a farm stay or maybe have guest cabins on the property," Mrs Corin said. "But at the moment, we're just looking for another challenge."
For more information visit www.bundanoonlodge.com.au