Top marks for popular pub

Published on 27 June 2014

Pyramid Hill’s Victoria Hotel has come up brilliantly in the latest “Mystery Shopper” business audit conducted by Bendigo Tourism.

The hotel, owned and operated by David and Debbie Demaine for the past six years, earned an overall score of 91%, giving it top place among the 31 accommodation businesses audited so far around Victoria.

The Mystery Shopper is a professional business analyst who arrives at a business and silently rates it on a wide range of quality criteria.

The Demaines scored full marks in the areas of booking and enquiry, website, amenities, food and beverage and departure.

Other high marks included first impressions (90%), presentation (89%), accommodation (82%) and regional knowledge (75%).

The reviewer commented on the hotel being “freshly painted and smartly furnished, with a clean and fresh atmosphere” and the “warm ambience of the wood-fired heater in the corner and gentle murmur of relaxed patrons providing a very pleasant dining experience”.

Debbie said everyone at the hotel was thrilled with the news. 

“David and I are extremely happy and very proud,” she said.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but when we read the comments in the report it’s great to know someone has recognised the efforts we’ve made as a staff team.”

During their time at the hotel, David and Debbie have refurbished guest rooms and the downstairs area, brought in two chefs, opened up the dining room, increased the number of days offering meals, done up the bottle shop, redone the toilets, put in a new bar and renovated the lounge.