Berida Manor
Berida Manor has managed to capture the charm of yesterday with all the conveniences of today. This classic country house is beautifully appointed throughout with antique furnishings, which recaptures the relaxed ambience of the 1920s.
Berida Manor offers guests both business & recreational facilities. This country house has 56 rooms, including luxury suites, restaurant, heated indoor swimming pool, spa & sauna.
For more information, contact Berida Manor on 4861 1177 . You can also contact them using our Berida Manor email enquiry page.
If this listing requires an update, please let us know by contacting us here.
Berida Manor Map
Reviews of Berida Manor
There are currently 29 reviews listed for Berida Manor. Please note that these reviews are not the opinions of this website.
1950's memories
Posted by Lesley at Thursday 19 April 2012
I'd also like to visit the current Berida in search of my past, as in 1956 or 1957 my mother & I were met at the station in Sydney and I was taken by train to Berida Red Cross Home in Bowral by a Red Cross "sister". My mother, I was later told, was quite ill and being hospitalised and I was 5 years old. My mother and father had recently divorced and my sister (18 months older than I) was, I now know, staying with my grandparents. Perhaps it was too much for my grandparents to have me stay with them too. On the train I clutched my beautiful doll and cried all the way. The red cross sister told me "to be a "big girl". On arrival I had all my clothes taken away and was given an old dress to wear; I was puzzled but by this, however I was heartbroken when the sisters took my adorable doll from me and placed her on another girls bed in the dormitory. It would never be my doll again, in fact we had to have different dolls, belonging to other girls, every night. We all looked longingly at our own dolls, sitting on the other beds, but couldn't touch them. Separation from my parents & sister was agony, but why would they take our dolls; the only thing left to hold & love? I spent the whole of the second night sitting on the cold toilet! This was punishment as, even though not a bed-wetter, I had wet the bed the first night. The toilet block was freezing and pitch black dark. I was humiliated and very, very afraid, and very lonely, and naturally, wept all night. Berida was a traumatic experience that I will never forget. The only flashes of some enjoyment happened in the playground playing "oranges & lemons, the bells of st clemens" and "drop the hanky". I believe I was at Berida for a month to 6 weeks and wonder if there are records to confirm this. I'd like more information and to see 1950's photos of the buildings, dorms, dining area, playground, and the toilet block! If anyone can direct me to information please respond.
remembering
Posted by linda-rose Lee at Sunday 10 July 2011
i lived in the red cross home for girls and unfortunately i dont have very fond memories as it was a very truamatic time for me as i was also separated from my brother who was a yr younger than myself. i remember the coldness of the dormes and the crying of frightened little girls, lining up for all our clothing, and the shower rooms with no doors on them. and having to set the long tables for breakfast,lunch,dinner and help to make the toast which was always burnt. i remember the small school building which is still there, and how the staff tried to be friendly but they also had it tough and i have caught up with one of the ladies and she finds it very hard to talk about as it was distressing to her also with the things behind closed doors that went on. i was isolated many times due to illness and also being a very sad and emotional child so i was classed as rebelious so i got disiplined.going for walks down the road and having to hold hands, and the steel frames that we use to play on and i had one fall on me and wasnt taken to a doctor which later came out i fractured my leg. but then i suppose it was a roof but im sorry most animals get treated better than we did.
A Home away from Home
Posted by Denise Gunn at Sunday 12 June 2011
Between 1950 aged 7 and 1958 aged 15 (when I spent a whole year there), I spent many years at Berida Junior Red Cross Home due to a horrific homelife and illness. Although it was traumatic being taken away from home to be put somewhere where the discipline was harsh as was the case in '50's, after many years I came to view it as my home where people really did care about me. The Matron was terrifying to us (but had a heart of gold and the nurses became my best friends. The 2 school teachers were my heroines and to this day I have nothing but fond memories of them. I remember every detail of my stay there and will be eternally grateful to the Red Cross for saving me. I have read these reveiws and can see both sides. I have been back in the past few years to stay for a weekend as I always wanted to see how "my home" had changed. I was very disappointed with staff and unfriendly welcome but the accommodation and food were OK. I was able to wander around to try and bring back those feelings. When I spoke to staff they were not interested in the history. Have tried to get information from Red Cross but very hard as there is no interest to help. Spent a whole day in at Red X House trying to get info to no avail. Staying there now is like a step back in time.
otobrothers/wonderfull/amazing
Posted by crowleyana at Friday 14 January 2011
Bowral is cold most of the year, so if you get a hotel/motel not a pub, that gives you lounges,internal hallways(out of the rain and not cold!!)indoor heated swimming pools and 4star rated rooms(needs a little update TV)and is the cheapest or second cheapest when you book in that town, great food(but I just wanted basic's a steak for dinner and bacon for brekky)you will be a winner. But what you really need to know, will you get that feeling you need and deserve when you are away and being looked after.....YES mad if you choose elsewhere. Image missing this wonderful experience
Rememberances
Posted by Vicki Grech at Tuesday 27 July 2010
WHOM SO-EVER POSTED THIS REVIEW (RESPONSE) - - - -
Posted by Anonymous User at Wednesday 30 December 2009
This is supposed to be an accommodation review site.
Cut out all the crap about the history of Berida Manor. If I wanted to find out about the history, I would look up Wikipedia
to girls (now women), who were not as well advantaged as some others in life and suffered severe emotional trauma when being separated from their homes and loved ones, might I suggest you have a very careful look in the mirror at your level of not only common human decency, but also your level of compassion for others who are trying to reconnect with lost friendships through Berida Manor Management who were gracious enough to accept my request last year (2009), to post Reviews with regard to the history of Berida Manor.
Had you bothered to check, you would also find that Wikipedia has NO information on Berida Junior Red Cross Home for Girls. I suggest you do your research a little better before making suggestions to others that it may be available.
When you can see past yourself and your own needs, you may better equip yourself to see the needs of others. Also, in future postings you may care not to be so rude in your manner and style of writing, many thanks.
A great golf getaway \!
Posted by Carmen Sablatnig at Wednesday 31 March 2010
We are ten couples from Sydney who just spent two nights at Berida Manor, golfing at Highlands G.C. and Bowral G.C. Despite playing both days in various degrees of rain, we had a great time! On the whole we were all very happy with the clean and comfortable accommodation. Due to the cold and inclement weather we made good use of the Spa and Pool after golf on our tired bodies. Yes, maybe the Manor needs a little TLC but we found the staff friendly, breakfast good if not sumptuous, and we were able to have our own drinks-before-dinner in the lovely old guest lounge with its comfy leather chairs and old-world charm while we conducted our prize-giving for the winners. All in all a different experience and change from the impersonal and sterile surroundings of some of the more modern establishments. After all it's typically "Bowral" and I, for one, expected stay in a place with a bit of "atmosphere". Disappointing to read all the negative vibes from other guests. They must have really high standards or don't appreciate the finer things in life!
best place then and now
Posted by julie at Friday 19 March 2010
I stayed at berida mannor and it was fantastic. the pool was wonderful and the room was so lovely. We stayed for two nites through the week and could not complain. It has the nostalga and the quietness we all need away from the hussle bussle. Breakfast the next day was also great. Friendly staff are most important. the reason I stayed there was because I am an old girl that stayed there in the early 60's as well. I loved it. The best thing that happened to me. my life at home was awful anyway but to have the routine and disipline and the care from this home was a God send. Not all homes are bad. There should be some available today for our poor abused children that are still suffering. Good on you Berida may you stand and serve for many years to come.
This site is a joke!
Posted by Anonymous User at Wednesday 30 December 2009
This is supposed to be an accommodation review site.
Cut out all the crap about the history of Berida Manor. If I wanted to find out about the history, I would look up Wikipedia.
Berida Girls Home Inquiries
Posted by Vicki Grech at Wednesday 09 December 2009
I went to visit Berida Manor last year and the staff were great allowing me to wander through as I told them my story about spending a great deal of time here as a child in the Red Cross Home it once was in the 50's and 60's. I have begun researching the Homne with the help of the Red cross Association of Australia to locate and reunite girls from this Red Cross Home. Many girls are looking for old friendships they formed in thier childhoods and history of the place and people they grew up with. My web site is a private site and Berida files and documents are difficult to obtain. However, if you are one of these girls looking for information and the opportunity to reconnect please contact me. To Berida House Manor, I would greatly appreciate it as I know many would if you would advertise this notice on your site. When searching with Google using Keywords of "Berida" your site is the only one that comes up. It is my hope these girls can find their history and reconnect thier friendships through your site in finding mine that holds history for them that are seeking it, many thanks. My email address is oakssi@oakssite.com
Reliving History
Posted by Vicki at Wednesday 02 December 2009
I too spent a lot of time at Berida Red Cross Home for Girls in the 60's. I have read many of the stories of girls who shared my experiences, but I cannot agree with a couple posted about how awful the place was then. My experiences there, though painful from separation from my parents, I have to say the staff and nurses were mostly all loving and caring and did their best. The food was great, we had 3 square meals a day, we had good days and bad like any other place on earth. My memories of Berida are not really unpleasant at all, but I do remember looking toward the gate of Berida and crying uncontrollably, wondering "why" my parents had left me there. If you would like to contact me and you want to talk about Berida and your experiences, please feel free, I would love to hear from you.
Childrens Home in 60's
Posted by Kerri Boyd at Saturday 21 November 2009
Also have many memories of spending sometime here in the mid 60's as a 7 yr old. Can still smell the polished wooden floors and the antique sideboards. Remember Nurse Baxter and Nurse Shepherd who would sing Elvis songs to us to cheer us up. Also remember cook bringing out huge trays of warm apple slice to the gardens on lazy Saturday afternoons and also the awful prunes and junket. Saturday night was bath night where all the girls would line up for clean pyjamas before going to bed in the long dormitories. It was here I also remember quiet sobbing sounds from under the blanket of very scared and confused little girls. Does anyone else remember the tiny bedroom at the end of the hall where the "bedwetters" like myself were kept isolated in the dark and the plastic sheets. Have only just remembered the name of this home after 40 years of trying to remember. Will get back one day.
I also remember Berida in the 60s
Posted by Margaret Jones at Friday 07 August 2009
Today at work - someone said Berrida to me and I felt compelled to google it. The memories of staying there in the 60's with my sister at a time when my Dad was sick and could not look after us. reading the other comments brought so much back to me. I recall the dormitory style sleeping arrangements and falling over on the loose dirt grounds to have skinned knees treated. My sister and I to this day still recall the story of seeing a witch on a broom flying past the moon through the dorm window at night time when we were supposed to be sleeping ........perhaps we felt like we were somewhat lost. I remember waiting to be collected. Oh dear - feel quite nostalgic!!!!
Another happy customer
Posted by Stephanie at Thursday 16 July 2009
I stayed at berida manor only for one night and thought it was a pleasant resort.
The room that we stayed in was absolutely huge, and consisted of a main large living area with a tv, sofa, and a kitchen. in the other half of the room there is a bathroom, a large bed, and another bedroom with tv, draws and cupboards.
The swimming pool was lovely, it was very warm and relaxing.
Breakfast was okay. There wasn't a huge selection but there was toast, cereal, eggs,sausages, bacon, and watermelon.
i had a lovely time
Three of Us
Posted by Trudy at Saturday 04 July 2009
My 2 sisters and I were sent here in 1951. We didn't mind giving up our clothes because the 2nd hand ones we were given were better than our own. We didn't mind the food because it was more than we ever got at home. One of my sisters didn't like the prunes though, and tried wrapping them in her serviette, until the laundry staff complained! We 3 were not used to being separated or sleeping apart, so we used to crawl into the one bed every night. When our youngest sister went missing, in answer to my queries we were told she was in isolation. I was only 6 and had no idea what or where that was. Mum had told me to look after my sisters, so I set out with sister number 2, to find the missing one. We finally did find her, right at the top of the house. Needless to say we were caught and ended up in isolation with her [she had gastroenteritis], but that was okay by us. I don't think we stayed at the home for longer than 10 days, while our mother was giving birth to baby number 6. Despite the reviews here, I'd like to visit the manor one day.
Berida Junior Red Cross Home
Posted by Helen at Thursday 11 June 2009
I stayed here for six weeks as a child in the early 1950's
but I can't remember too much about it, except for being in an isolation ward for some of the time and seeing the other children playing outside the window. Our pyjama's were kept in a big hall cupboard and you had to line up of a night to have them (thrown) given to you, but that was a bit of fun. I had a good time there, I know I never had visitors. Just wish I could remember more.
Great time at Berida.
Posted by Brian O'Sheehy at Sunday 24 May 2009
My wife and i stayed at Berida for a weekend in May 2009 we had a relaxing stay in a beautiful old Manor,the pool/spa area and grounds are nice, the rooms are adequate and the staff are very friendly and helpful the building has a lot of history it was a step back in time most enjoyable Thankyou.
I will Return
Posted by Margaret Johansen at Saturday 25 April 2009
I, too, stayed at the Junior Red Cross Home(which is now Berida Manor) in 1964, when I was 10, to recuperate after being badly injured by a car running me down. I recall the large dormitories in which we slept, many of us chatting into the night after 'lights out' at which time I learned my first 'facts (or misfacts) of life'! The food then was also quite awful, with Wednesdays always being "Prunes and Junket" for dessert, which I detest after having been 'force fed'prunes & junket when I was younger!The only bright spot was the little school room in which combined classes were held. I rather liked the teacher and found the lessons interesting. The grounds were beautiful and had a calming effect on me, but I had never been so cold in my life! I would like to return one day to check it out (when finances allow).
Past History
Posted by Robyn McLeod at Friday 24 April 2009
I also remember being here in the early 60's. I think I was 9. I have terrible memories of this place. I also remember having to change out of my own clothes and putting on a second hand dress. All your own belongings were locked away, I remember going to the office to try and get one of my hankies because I had a very bad cold and being told that I wasn't allowed because my suitcase was locked away. No other option was offered (this was before tissues were invented) so I just had to let my nose run. I also learnt to swear like a merchant seaman. The staff were horrible and cruel and the food was inedible. I used to sit at the gate crying, just waiting for my parents, or a letter, and then getting into terrible trouble. I would be very interested in contacting others who were in this horrible place.
Wow, this is quite a fall from grace
Posted by Caroline Bell at Friday 20 February 2009
I remember Berida Manor in the mid 1970's through to early 1980's when it was a "Health Resort". It was a lovely place. At one stage Margaret Fulton and Mr Doonan owned it; the Commonwealth Heads of State even had there meeting there after the 1977 Hilton Bombing.
It's really sad to see such negativity attached to it now. I hope the current owners take immediate action to rectify it.
past history
Posted by Kerry at Saturday 10 January 2009
I remember my 2 sisters and myself going to stay at berida Manor. Our mother wasnt well and so our father took us there. We had to change from our good clothes into 2nd hand clothes.I can remember crying when our father left,and crying for what seemed like along time. i cam remeber having lots of fun and seening snow for the first time in my life. We ate in a big room and there were long tables ,we would have porridge and toast and cocoa. On Friday night we ate smoked cod. I have fond memeories and I am sure that there are alot who do also.
Past history
Posted by Joan Hoggan at Tuesday 23 September 2008
It was interesting reading the reviews for Berida Manor. I, too, was one of those children who were taken to Berida by train in the 1950's. I remember a place where we slept in dormitories, where privacy was definitely lacking, where the beds had rather nice eiderdown quilts, but access to bathroom facilities left much to be desired. There were those iron playground fixtures, too big to use in my case, in what might have been a run-down tennis court, and whilst there was talk about a swimming pool whilst I was there, I never saw anything more than a child's wading pool.
Perhaps the negative views expressed earlier are a result of refurbishment that needs to be redone more thoroughly and which could not altogether counteract the inadequacies of the original building, which it seems was a World War 2 hospital before it was a girls' home. I'd be interested in coming to Berida to have a look at the place and to hear other people's memories of its past.
Look Into The Past of Berida Manor
Posted by Janice Stanbridge at Tuesday 19 August 2008
I was seraching the internet for accomodation in Bowral and was suprised to come across Berida Manor.Furthering my search I was amused to read the many negative reports associated with this particular place and it brought back memories closer to home than many will believe. At a tender age myself and twin sister were put on a train and sent to a Red Cross Home in Bowral, now named Berida Manor.I noticed a comment by one visitor that being there reminded her of being in the 1960's and that bought it closer to home than I care to think.Maybe the past hangs on to some buildings, the sadness and feelings of loss, and no amount of antigue furniture and high prices can change that.It looks like too many visitors have come away from Berida Manor with the same negitive feelings like so many of its past, sad children.
Berida Mannor
Posted by Sue Dodd at Saturday 24 May 2008
If you like Faulty Towers you will love this place.
I had the great misfortune to spend several nights at this DUMP in April 2008.
I can only say that the description given in the various guides is false AND that web sites, such as Dawsons and others should review this place and give an accurate description of it.
The room was horrible, the food was a throw-back to 1960 and the staff were untrained and rude.
The pool was taken over by what looked to be the local swimming school, so it was not part of the "resort".
Happy Customer
Posted by Anonymous User at Tuesday 20 May 2008
I stayed at this hotel for two nights and had a wonderful time. We were a group of 7 ladies and had no complaints. We made good use of the lovely heated pool and we all had a most relaxing massage. The food was more than adequate and the staff pleasant. When I read the above reviews I was totally shocked. I think the other reviewers must have been staying somewhere else!
Another weekend at Berida Manor
Posted by Anonymous User at Saturday 10 May 2008
Berida Manor was the final nail in the coffin of my marriage!My husband(Ex) suggested a weekend away to "try to talk". If only he had researched things better who knows the final outcome may have been different.The room was cold, and what is it with those kitch cherubs everywhere?The food was awful.Berida Manor is trying to be what Peppers resort manages successfully.Stay there if you want a manor style weekend as I did with my next bloke(who took the time to do the research).Ms Rice
DO believe them
Posted by Shayne at Monday 28 April 2008
Sorry, but chalk up two more completely dissatisfied customers.
The elderly gentleman manning the counter "greeted" my wife and I with a gruff "Yes?" followed by "Name?". No "Good afternoon" or "Hello, how are you?" as might be expected of an establishment charging a "special" rate of $215 for one night. Way to make your guests feel like nuisances at the outset! Thankfully the few other staff we met were more pleasant.
The room was a good size but four of its windows could not be locked due to the latches not aligning, so we couldn't safely leave anything in the room.
The walls of the room did next to nothing to muffle sounds from the adjacent room and we could hear our neighbours' conversations all too clearly.
The shower temperature fluctuated wildly while other guests used their showers. We tried to control it but failed, resorting to quickly rinsing during the few seconds of tepid in between the uncomfortably cold and dangerously hot.
The buffet breakfast was of very poor quality; rubbery scrambled eggs sitting in a puddle of water, tasteless bacon and sausages, and so on. Normally we would be the type to grin and bear it but this was just the last straw. We left our breakfast and instead enjoyed some wonderful food and service from the Elephant Boy cafe on the main street.
And then there were the other little things that just added insult to injury. We had to park at the very back of the hotel and then walk to the front along the single-lane driveway, hugging the wall with our bags while cars passed us. There is no footpath or rear entry for guests, yet the prime parking spot at the front of the hotel is reserved for the Mercedes Benz with "BERIDA" licence plates.
Anyway, it probably goes without saying, but we will not be staying there again.
Don't believe them!
Posted by Anonymous User at Friday 28 March 2008
Sorry to disagree with previous reviews, but we have nothing but praise for the staff and amenities at Berida Manor after spending 4nights there over easter.
Breakfast was adequate it was not 5 star but you had a good selection.
Our rooms were very clean and with so much furniture that we could have taken all our clothes etc from home and never fill all the drawers, wardrobes cupboards.
Don't be put off by the previous reviews. Try for yourself it is close to town and a lovely setting opposite the golf course.
We agree with Geoff....
Posted by Anonymous User at Friday 14 March 2008
Absolutely shocking, a complete rip-off. Room small and sparsly furnished, not even paper and pen supplied. Breakfast also very poor. Overall very poor value for money, we will 'never' stay here again!
Awful.Don't stay.
Posted by Geoff at Sunday 10 February 2008
Do NOT stay there.We where made to feel that we are lyers as we where miss informed breakfast times 7am to 10am when in fact 7am to 9 am and turned up late.No information of any sort in room to advise about property facilities and services available. We where told by a staff menber that we where called to advise breakfast ending when infact we did not receive a call at all.Was told information in room when in fact none at all.Staff member told us the person that did the room would have made sure was there and look in draws which we had done and nothing except phone book.Was yelled at by another staff member that breakfast is free anyway.Not free at all paid for bed & breakfrast.Very unprovesional.Also fridge leakes water all over floor had to use towel to mop up, remote for TV does not work and held together by sticky tape along with other things not working.Staff extremely rude.Over rated.I have renamed it faulty towers 2.
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