Pilgrim Lodge Wollongong’s unique accommodation setting. This 100 room hotel is opened all year round, located in the grounds of Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern hemisphere. The Lodge overlooks the lotus pond, peaceful temple, tranquil gardens, the beautiful rolling hills and famous escarpment of the Illawarra. Ideal for general guests, overnight functions / conferences, group bookings or special group packages which can include: A guided tour, Gentle Tai Chi, Meditation, Tea ceremony and Chinese craft, Experience the serenity & power of the drum & bell ceremony or stroll the lush gardens & sit by the ponds and enjoy your comfortable accommodation setting.
My wife and I had a lovely time at the Temple and Lodge, very peaceful experience. The Lodge is basically a four star hotel/motel, we stayed in a double bed air-cond room for $103 per night, same facilities as most modern hotels.
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Date of stay: December 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Head here for some peace and quiet
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid AUD85/night for a double room and AUD140/night for a family room comprising 1 double bed and 2 singles. Nice, clean rooms but the double bed is bit too small. We also realised that the size of the TV and toilet is directly correlated to the size of the room ;)
Situated within the Nan Tien Temple (biggest temple in Wollongong), the place is great for people who wants some quiet time, as well as visit the serene temple grounds. I think the temple also conducts a host of activities.
Note that the main gate will be closed after 9pm so if you return late, you have to call up the reception or the security to open it for you.
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Date of stay: December 2008
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whilst strictly not a hotel, the Pilgrim Lodge offers accomodation as part of the Nan Tien Temple complex at Wollongong on the South Coast of N.S.W. We have travelled frequently and extensively in Asia and have had many opportunities to visit Buddhist temples, but not to stay as part of the complex. Whilst alcohol and meat are not allowed on the premises, the food is good and the communal dining was very pleasant. For those who have not had an experience of anything to do with the Buddhist way of life, this is an excellent opportunity to visit shrines, the temple and associated galleries. It was interesting to note that the majority of visitors were Asian and practising Buddhists. Pilgrim Lodge was very comfortable, clean and well appointed. The staff were attentive and helpful and we would recommend this as a different but worthwhile stay. The entire complex was both peaceful and tranquil.
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Date of stay: September 2014
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â This doesn't matter as noise is not a factor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is situated in the lovely hills of Wollongong. With beautiful views and a stunning temple, which is lovely. However even though there was a small handfull of wonderful peoole working and living there, we were treated like unwelcomed outsiders who were treated like we were infringing on their home/environment. We departed early and lost money by leaving, I therefore do not recommend anyone stay at this hotel or even visit as a tourist.
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Date of stay: March 2015
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here on my own, just for a night. While the temple itself is beautiful, the same couldn't be said for the Pilgrim Lodge. The room had a dingy feel and there were bugs and cockroaches, both alive and dead in various places. Given that this is a spiritual place, I expected it to be cleaner and to meet a minimum standard.
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Date of stay: December 2012
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited Wollongong for work, but didn't want to miss out seeing the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, so I stayed 1 night in the Pilgrim Lodge. The accommodation is clean and comparable to a 3-4 star motel. (except with no air conditioning). You have your own ensuite in your own room. It gave me the opportunity to look around the grounds and gardens of the temple after hours, without crowds. The price for the accommodation was great value for money, cheaper than most motels in the local area. Dinner and Breakfast is OK, both all you can eat vegetarian food. I'm pleased I chose to stay here instead of a Wollongong motel, and enjoyed the peacefulness and serenity of this place. This accommodation however would not suit everyone. There are no beach views, and it may be difficult to leave the temple late at night as the grounds are locked up for security reasons. If you want to check out the Wollongong nightlife, this accommodation would not suit. I was very happy with the place.
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Date of stay: November 2013
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed here a number of times now and each time has been a pleasure. From check in to check out, staff are lovely and helpful. Always have a welcoming smile to greet you. Rooms are very spacious and comfortable and now have a TV and a bar fridge. Tea and coffe also in rooms. Each floor has a communal kitchen which has boiling water, microwave, larger fridge and freezer if needed, we have never had a problem with things left in fridge going missing. There is a large laundry facility on the top floor you can use. Pilgrim Lodge is set in the grounds of the Nan Tien Temple so the surrounding area is so very peaceful and calming, we stay there during sporting events so it is great to relax each evening without the sound of traffic at your door step. There is a no meat, seafood, alcohol or smoking policy which is not a problem with us as we would eat before we got back or buy to suit. From our first stay a couple years ago, prices have risen a little,but still consider it a good find and would not hesitate returning again
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Date of stay: October 2015
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We've stayed at the Pilgrim Lodge numerous times in our travels to and through Wollongong. We have always found the welcome by staff to be warm and friendly and the rooms clean and tidy. They offer breakfast (vegetarian as is the Buddhist tradition) at the Temple for a reasonable extra cost plus lunch & dinner is also available I think.... Of course, there is access to basic kitchen facilities (not in the rooms-no alcohol or meat products are to be taken into the premises for obvious reasons), but microwaves are available on the 1st and second floors. We have spent weekends there and even spent 2 Christmas get-aways there and had a lovely time. Last Christmas we went for 4 days with another couple who also said they really liked the lodge. The only tiny issue is that parking can get a bit tricky when they are full. For the price we have certainly found the experience at the Pilgrim Lodge to be excellent value for money. I find it odd that KamSyd17 makes it seem like there was a plethora of bugs and cockroaches to be found over a 1 night stay when we have never found ANY during our numerous stays. Anyway we can highly recommend a visit to the Pilgrim Lodge and the Nan Tien Temple. :-)
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Date of stay: December 2013
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Some rooms are air conditioned and some aren't - worth it to get air conditioned rooms. Some...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great prices very picturesque location nestled within spacious grounds of the Nan Tien Temple. Clean simple rooms designed for people visiting the temple but anyone can stay. Now has reverse cycle air conditioning in every room so comfortable at any time of the year. Parking available. Only issue - no food offers nearby without driving and food offer inside is vegetarian and strict hours apply (7:30am for breakfast and 6pm for dinner). Very simple Asian vegetarian fare so very pure and cleansing and very nice for me but some may be left hungry.
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Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a lovely place to stay when visiting the temple we were here for the retreat so thought why not stay on the temple ground this was a great experience rooms or very clean could not fault them they may be old but well maintained and clean , as it is on the ground it is very quite and peaceful just loved our stay here best sleep had in ages would highly recommend if come for the any of the retreats, thank you
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"Some rooms are air conditioned and some aren't - worth it to get air conditioned rooms. Some rooms on the second floor have access to a nice large balcony area-another nice plus if you can get it."
There are more places to choose from in the Wollongong area.
LOCATION
AustraliaNew South WalesWollongong
NUMBER OF ROOMS
100
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Are there any historical sites close to Nan Tien Temple Pilgrim Lodge?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Wollongong Botanic Garden (6.6 km), The Old Court House Wollongong (7.0 km), and St Michael's Anglican Cathedral (6.3 km).
