Latest News for Christina's B&B - Lake Macquarie's Award Winning Bed and Breakfast

June 2010

Christina's B&B is confirmed as one of the TOP TEN 4.5 STAR B&B's in AUSTRALIA

October 2009

Christina's B&B is confirmed as one of the six FINALISTS in the NSW TOURISM AWARDS 2009. Tourism NSW - Finalists

"The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year."

August 2009

Hunter Region Tourism Excellence Award - Hosted Accommodation - 2009

The Hunter Region Awards for Excellence in Tourism is an annual competition for tourism businesses, suppliers to the industry and outstanding individuals, in which a submission is prepared in response to a series of questions and is supported by a site visit to assess business excellence.

The Hunter Region Tourism Awards recognise and encourage tourism businesses that aspire for excellence in all areas of their work. Winning an award is the industry’s highest accolade and the recipients represent the best in the region.

 

March 2009

"Come on in, the water's fine"

"Kristie Lau discovers this quiet lakeside haven is full to the brim with surprises."

"Verdict: John and Tina's excellent hospitality will lure us back.

Why you would go: It's peaceful, comfortable and the breakfasts are superb.

Why you wouldn't: You're looking for plenty of action - Christina's is out of town."

"Who knows when we'll feel this relaxed again?"

 

29 March 2009

Sun Herald Weekender - Christina's B&B review

"Leave your troubles behind and head for the hills or the coast. Two hours from the city is a luxurious lakeside haven..

In a busy world where even finding time to take a break can be a chore, it is nice to know there remain a few holiday treasures within two hours of the hustle and bustle... CityRail"

Bonny Symons-Brown - AAP - Mike Smith - Daily Telegraph - 26 March 2009.

 

February 2009

Daily Telegraph - Christina's B&B review

CREEK CHIC

“This stylish Dora Creek residence…. On the ground floor the house provides three serene, interesting and individually decorated bed and breakfast suites, each with private balconies, en-suites and disabled access, guest living and dining space and a separate area for John’s architectural practice.” – Sally Croxton – Newcastle Herald Weekender 28 February 2009.

January 2009

Dora Explorer

“Sydneysider Bonny Symons-Brown delights in discovering a secret corner of Lake Macquarie.
The perks of a waterfront holiday without the expense, crowds and attitude of popular destinations… Dora Creek is in easy reach of Hunter and Sydney residents, making it perfect for a quick weekend getaway.
Owners Tina Jaffray and John Mason take the bed and breakfast and sprinkle it with something special, from afternoon tea on arrival to the fresh local eggs served Benedict-style with caviar the next morning (at time to suit you) and a generous midday checkout – all standard…”
Bonny Symons-Brown – AAP – Newcastle Herald Weekender 17 January 2009

 

December 2008

Christina's now has a third room - our Garden room. Private balcony overlooking our private, sunny sheltered garden. Choice of luxury king bed or twin singles. Naturally cool in summer and warm in winter. HD LCD Televison and DVD player. Check rates and availability online.

 

October 2008

WINNER - Lower Hunter URBAN DESIGN AWARDS - Sustainable Development Award - 2008

The Awards are aimed at improving the quality of our environment through the acknowledgement of outstanding planning and design work and in particular its relationship with the public realm.

Sustainable Development Award - for excellence in the design of developments displaying the principles of environmentally sustainable design.

 

September 2008

Christina's B&B is now one year old

 

August 2008

* Hunter Region Tourism Awards for Excellence in Tourism - BEST NEW Tourism Development 2008 - AWARD WINNER *

We were awarded the WINNER'S AWARD for the 2008 Hunter Region Tourism Excellence Awards in the "BEST NEW TOURISM DEVELOPMENT" Category. Herald News Report: "Hunter tourism award winners named" - Greg Wendt

" This category recognises excellence in the planning of tourism infrastructure and / or services with a focus on entrepreneurial vision, harmonious integration with the environment, design and functionality and uniqueness of the service." - Hunter Region Tourism

 

21 June, 2008

"The happy mariners... Sue Milne - The Australian"

Click Here to read the complete article....

Lake Macquarie is largely undiscovered and the mystery is why, for if it's a secret it's a mighty big one. The vital statistics are impressive:..

But perhaps most surprising is that this glorious expanse of water... is virtually on Sydney's doorstep. It is less than an hour's drive from the city's northern fringes.

Christina's B&B: The owners of this new waterfront property are Sydney escapees who sailed up the coast and never returned. Features contemporary furnishings in guestrooms, comfortable lounge, a historic jetty and nearby restaurants. 10 Doree Place, Dora Creek; www.christinas.com.au."

 

1st May, 2008

Lake Macquarie To Star On Television

Bianca Gilmore, Senior Tourism Marketing Officer ...

The Channel 10 Television crew from Melbourne filmed Lake Macquarie from the 8th April through to the 17th April ...

Story 1: Sea Change – is it for you ? (shown 24 June 2008)
Tina Jaffray and John Mason of Christina's bed and breakfast explain how they fell in love with Lake Macquarie and needed a change in their lifestyle and livelihood. They tell the story of how they chose to build a stunning environmentally sustainable bed and breakfast business.

 

07 April, 2008

Train Travel

More guests are appreciating that Christina's environmentally friendly B&B is only 2 hours from Sydney on the Newcastle Train Line. No car - no problem - walk to restaurant, waterfront walks, bikes and kayaks available.

 

16 March, 2008

1 Month After 4.5 Star Rating

Book with confidence knowing you can trust the high quality rating to be accurate and reliable.

 

3 March, 2008

Secure Online Booking Now Available

Christina's B&B availability can now be checked online with the option of booking online if you wish. The "check availability / book now" button will link you to a secure site for availability and online payment by credit card.

 

12 February, 2008

AAA Tourism Rating Assessment

Christina's B&B was assessed on 12 February 2008 and rated at the high end of the 4.5 STAR category. AAA Tourism ID 99757.

The STAR Rating Scheme provides independent, accurate and credible STAR Ratings so that guests may book with confidence.

STAR ratings are the only genuine ratings recognised in Australia. (obviously "self-ratings" cannot be genuine and are often somewhat optimistic)

 

15 January, 2008

Green Star Rating

Christina's B&B now has "Green Star" accreditation from AAA Tourism for Environmental Friendliness.

"GREEN STAR The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has developed a national environmental rating tool for buildings called the Green Star rating system.

The tool rates a building in relation to its management, the health and wellbeing of its occupants, accessibility to public transport, water use, energy consumption, the embodied energy of its materials, land use and pollution"

 

6th December, 2007

The Opening of Christina's Bed and Breakfast

Lake Macquarie's "Lakes Mail" took the opportunity to write an article on Christina's B&B after their opening in late 2007.

"The Remarkable waterfront-reserve building is almost entirely clad with corrugated iron sheets and the visual effect is as stunning as it is environmentally friendly...."