Reserva esto si 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.
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
Resumen rápido: 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.
Reseñado por @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.
Lo que dijeron los huéspedes que se hospedaron aquí
The hype
Travelers love the comfy beds and friendly staff, but noise complaints are the most common grievance.
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
Limpieza y Mantenimiento
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™
6.5MODERADO
MODERADO
0-4RUIDOSO
4-7.5MODERADO
7.5-10SILENCIOSO
Thin walls / connecting doors
Loud, older air conditioning units
Corridor noise and door slamming
Antes de reservar
Es bueno saberlo
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
Qué llevar
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)
Genio de Habitaciones
Mejores opciones
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
Habitaciones a evitar
Connecting rooms (unless you need them) due to sound bleed
Ground floor rooms near the reception/restaurant entrance
Genio de Solicitud de Habitación – copiar y pegar
“I would appreciate a quiet, upstairs Premier King room, ideally not a connecting room and away from the pool area.”
Preguntas frecuentes y consejos ocultos
Todo lo que realmente quieres saber antes de reservar.
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.
Consejos de Insiders
✨
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 cosas que debes saber antes de ir
💡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.
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