The Falls named best small hotel in Australia

Owners Alan and Aryna Dryden ... “people want to retreat to a place where they feel safe, where they feel welcome and where they can be with the person they most want to spend time with”.

Romantic accommodation, exceptional service and superb location are three factors that contributed to The Falls Montville taking out Best Small Hotel in Australia in Tripadvisor’s 2020 Travellers Choice Awards.

There are other criteria too for guests who return time and again to The Falls. 

“Currently, SEQ travellers are drawn to two to seven day stay options where they can avoid crowds while experiencing a quality destination. The Sunshine Coast hinterland fits that bill,” said owner Alan Dryden.

“With overseas and interstate travel curtailed, Montville and Maleny are under substantial pressure. Skiing in Queenstown, cruising the Rhine and lazy Caribbean days are out of the picture. Quality local experiences are benefiting from a changed tourism landscape.”

“Winter is always our peak season… cottage intimacy and comfort, wood fires, spa baths, massage treatments, intimate restaurants and cafés, eclectic galleries, quaint villages, clear night skies and epic daytime views,” said Aryna.

“More broadly, people want to retreat to a place where they feel safe, where they feel welcome and where they can be with the person they most want to spend time with,” Alan said. 

“We have worked to create an attractive space for our guests to simply experience the solitude and beauty of the hinterland.”

Aryna and Alan took a huge leap of faith when they purchased The Falls six and a half years ago. 

“We thought it would be a good ‘after children’ project. It was a sea change from our careers in fashion design and publishing. But we absolutely love it. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Aryna said. “We have done comprehensive refurbishments and upgrades to the property this last year,” she said. “The Falls Montville has never looked or felt better.”

The Falls incorporates one of the oldest buildings in Montville ­– an 1885 Queenslander that was relocated from Ascot in Brisbane to make up the core of today’s extensive 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom Manor House. 

The rooms are filled with beautiful and unique furniture that the couple have collected from a lifetime of working and traveling the globe. 

Some furniture pieces have been in Alan’s family for 400 years. And the walls are decorated with magnificent oil paintings and original artwork by Aryna’s mother who is an acclaimed Ukranian artist. And Aryna’s own incredible talent as a designer is evident in every space.

Their six spacious and secluded rainforest cottages also enjoy lovely original art, wood fires, double spas, superb hardwood floors and private decks – genuine country cottage comfort with little touches evident everywhere.

The Falls was also awarded 2nd  in Australia in Tripadvisor’s ‘Best Service’ category and came 4th nationally in ‘Romance’.

“The recognition is particularly pleasing in that it reflects on both our product and our delivery,” Alan said. 

“And the Sunshine Coast hinterland continues to shine as an iconic, boutique destination.”