The hype
Travelers love the comfy beds and friendly staff, but noise complaints are the most common grievance.
Best Western Southgate Motel
$85-120/ night
Book this if You're a road-tripper or family needing a reliable, renovated base with a pool and solid restaurant in the heart of the Limestone Coast.
Why People Love It
- The Gates Restaurant is surprisingly excellent for a motel
- Beds are frequently cited as 'the best in Australia' by frequent travelers
- Walking distance to the Cave Gardens and a quick drive to the Blue Lake
Quick Take: A solid 4-star country motel that's mostly been renovated, but thin walls and noisy AC units can still remind you of its vintage bones.
Reviewed by @Gipsy7: I honestly wasn't expecting a tub this good at a roadside motel! After a long drive to Mount Gambier, soaking in that spa bath was pure heaven. The room is huge, the bed is comfy, and having a microwave made dinner easy. Perfect pitstop.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
While rooms are 'renovated,' some guests report a mix of new bathrooms with older, scuffed furniture and dusty AC filters.
- You want a one-stop shop with a good restaurant and bar on-site
- You are visiting the Blue Lake (4 mins away)
- You appreciate a firm, high-quality mattress after a long drive
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8
- Housekeeping: Generally daily and good, though some reports of missed dust on AC filters and high shelves.
- Bathroom hygiene: Bathrooms are mostly renovated and clean; grout is usually good.
- Maintenance: Some aging infrastructure issues like flickering lights or loose towel racks reported.
- Linens & towels: Towels can be a bit thin/scratchy, but sheets are clean and crisp.
- Odors & scents: Occasional complaints of 'dusty' or 'musty' smells from old AC units.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Thin walls / connecting doors
- Loud, older air conditioning units
- Corridor noise and door slamming
Before you book
Good to know
- Reception is not 24/7; check-in closes around 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM
- A credit card surcharge applies to payments
- The 'Spa Pool' is an outdoor hot tub, also seasonal
What to pack
- Earplugs for the thin walls
- Swimsuit for the sauna (year-round) or pool (summer only)
- Jumper/Jacket even in summer (Mount Gambier gets chilly evenings)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Premier King Room (most consistently renovated)
- Upstairs rooms (generally quieter from foot traffic)
- Rooms away from the pool if you want to avoid daytime noise
Rooms to avoid
- Connecting rooms (unless you need them) due to sound bleed
- Ground floor rooms near the reception/restaurant entrance
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a quiet, upstairs Premier King room, ideally not a connecting room and away from the pool area.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool heated?
No, the outdoor pool is unheated and seasonal (open roughly Oct-May).
Is there a gym on-site?
No, guests get special access rates to Jetts Gym, which is a 50m walk away.
Does the hotel serve breakfast?
Yes, The Gates Restaurant serves breakfast daily, but it is usually not included in the room rate (approx. $18 AUD).
Is it pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed.
How far is the Blue Lake?
It's a very short 4-minute drive or a decent walk.
Is there an elevator?
There is a lift, but double-check if your specific room block has access if mobility is a concern.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The sauna is a legitimate cedar sauna and often underutilized by other guests.
- ✨
There is a grand piano in the lobby—a surprising touch of class for a motel.
- ✨
Ask for a 'courtyard view' if you want to avoid the street noise from Commercial St.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'renovated' label is a bit loose; you might get a new bathroom but a 1990s wardrobe.
💡The AC units in some rooms are wall-mounted boxes that rattle.
💡Housekeeping can be hit-or-miss with dusting high surfaces (like top of the wardrobe).
💡The 'Spa Pool' is outdoors and next to the unheated pool, so it's not a private indoor jacuzzi experience.
💡WiFi speed is decent (NBN) but can drop out in the far corners of the complex.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Best Western Southgate Motel is located and what's nearby.