Blackwood Inn - Innkeepers House in Mullalyup awarded best Bed & Breakfast in Australasia

Owners Gillian and George Davenport-Lang received a surprise phone call at 3am in Canada, informing that they had won the award.

The Luxury Travel Guide representative thought they too were in London, England when Gillian answered the call; but they were on holiday in London, Ontario – a mere 5872km away.

“Ah no, tell me in the morning,” George said to Gillian, unaware of the big news.

They have decided not to attend the November award ceremony in England.

The review read: “Those searching for a relaxing break in the rolling hills of south-west Australia are in for a treat with a stay at Blackwood Inn’s adjoining Innkeepers House”.

The couple bought Blackwood Inn in 1990 and extended it in 1992. They built the award-winning Innkeepers House in 1996.

Gillian provides ala carte dining in their private restaurant.

They “supposedly retired” in 2006, but brought the business back to life after numerous past guests came, literally, knocking on their door asking for room vacancies.

So in 2011 they relaunched with one bedroom, and then in February 2015 opened up a second bedroom.

“We’ve always liked Mullalyup – it’s a nice, quiet area,” Gillian said.

“People use us as a base; central to get around the South West.

“I think if I retired I’d drop dead, because I need to be kept busy.”