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Craig's Royal Hotel

10 Lydiard St S, Ballarat East VIC 3350, Australia

Recommended by 47 people

Updated

Find Craig's Royal Hotel

10 Lydiard St S, Ballarat East VIC 3350, Australia

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+61 3 4344 4082
HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM Sunday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 AM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Craig's Royal Hotel

Ballarat's gold-rush history lives on at Craig’s Royal Hotel, pairing grand nineteenth-century architecture with genuine regional hospitality. Established in 1853, the property trades cookie-cutter hotel rooms for character-rich quarters where no two layouts are alike. Guests can ride the manually operated elevator from the foyer, gather for afternoon high tea, or slide into the Atrium restaurant for morning coffee and smashed avocado.

  • Individually styled heritage rooms: Guest quarters trade modern uniformity for period decor, antique furnishings, and distinct individual layouts.
  • Manually operated elevator: The foyer features an operational vintage lift alongside grand timber staircases.
  • The Atrium dining room: An airy glass-roofed setting serving breakfast, regional drops, and afternoon high tea.
RestaurantBarCafeRestaurant

What's On at Craig's Royal Hotel

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Craig's Royal Hotel

Discover what makes staying, dining, and celebrating at Ballarat's historic Victorian landmark unforgettable.

  • Individually Charactered Heritage Rooms

    Each accommodation space is distinct with authentic 19th-century gold-rush era character and historic decor rather than modern uniform layouts.

    We were loving the fact that we were staying in a historical building and just taking in all the old world charm. It made a refreshing change from modern hotels that are nice, but lacking personality.

    Z V

  • Operational Vintage Elevator Experience

    The hotel retains and operates an authentic vintage lift in the foyer, offering guests a memorable journey into the venue's rich history.

    The manually operated elevator was especially interesting — a rare and memorable highlight of the stay.

    HANS

  • Genuinely Attentive and Thoughtful Hospitality

    Staff provide deeply personal, gracious, and attentive care, turning potential inconveniences into memorable moments with warm country hospitality.

    From day one, we felt genuinely welcomed, known, and cared for — the hallmark of a hotel that understands true luxury lies in personal connection.

    Gina Jingle Pineda

  • Transportive Historic Splendour

    Guests encounter evocative 19th-century opulence and well-preserved decorative details that transport them into Ballarat's historic golden era.

    Craig’s Royal Hotel, a place of opulence, history, and timeless beauty. Every corner feels like stepping back into the 19th century. This visit left me completely enchanted

    Lukman, I Presume?

  • Hands-on Celebration and Event Coordination

    Dedicated wedding and function planning coordinates floor plans, setup, and seamless vendor integration across historic rooms.

    She made everything run so smoothly on the day, handling every little detail (even the ones we were stressing about, like lighting candles!) before we even had to ask. Her communication was fantastic and gave us so much peace of mind.

    Jade Wilson

  • Traditional High Tea Celebrations

    Guests and groups gather for traditional milestone high teas served with quality sweets, fine china, and champagne in historic surroundings.

    Had a beautiful high tea today with mum and absolutely loved it. Lovely bubbles, gorgeous china and the food was delicious.

    Steph Y

Signature dining experiences and offerings enjoyed by guests in the historic Atrium and lounge

  • Breakfast

    Our breakfast in the beautiful atrium dining room was delicious.

    Michelle Weller

  • High Tea

    Had a beautiful high tea today with mum and absolutely loved it.

    Steph Y

  • Coffee

    The coffee is fantastic and my husband, who often finds that the beans have been burnt, said it is perfection.

    Le

  • Smashed Avo

    On both days our breakfasts, the smashed avo on the menu, was expertly plated and delicious.

    Le

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality gestures and personal touches that elevate stays and celebrations.

  • Personalised Milestone Greetings & Sparkling Wine

    For anniversary stays, the team prepares thoughtful surprises in the room, including complimentary sparkling wine accompanied by a personalised Pearl Anniversary greeting card.

  • Proactive Wedding & Event Coordination

    Event coordinators actively take care of intricate day-of styling details, such as lighting candles and arranging reception elements before couples even think to ask.

  • Attentive Room Recovery with Wine Selection

    When room adjustments or service issues occur, staff go above and beyond by offering guests their choice of room alongside a complimentary bottle of their preferred wine.

  • Thoughtful Bar Hospitality & Refills

    Attentive bar staff provide thoughtful personal touches during visits, proactively replenishing guest water bottles with fresh ice whenever they pass through the hotel.

Before you head over

Practical tips for parking, room configurations, and accessibility to make the most of your historic stay

  • Book Onsite Parking Ahead

    Onsite hotel parking is limited, so reserve a parking bay in advance if arriving by vehicle, or note that roadside parking overnight is free until 9am the next morning.

  • Confirm Room Specifics and Layouts

    Every room in this 19th-century gold-rush landmark is uniquely laid out with antique decor and varied bed heights, so inquire about room dimensions if you prefer specific room configurations.

  • Check Accessibility in Advance

    Given the building's 19th-century historic architecture and heritage features, contact the front desk beforehand if you have specific accessibility or mobility needs.

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