Southern Cross Motor Inn

The outdated facilities made the place feel neglected for over a decade, and advertised ping pong and karaoke weren’t available. Renting ski equipment also came with a billing error and needless hassle. The room carpet had a noticeable smell, and cleanliness was below par. Breakfast was very limited, just frozen sausages, canned pasta, and a small amount of eggs. Service was lacking too: the front desk was often unattended, and staff seemed unenthusiastic and unprofessional. I left disappointed, since the stay fell well short of what I expected and the hotel needs improvements in several areas.

The building is ageing, so don’t expect the Sheraton on the Park, but it was comfortable, clean, and welcoming, and had everything we needed. Our room worked well for five people travelling to the snow. The heater worked, the kitchenette was well equipped, and the bed linen was spotless. Burton was especially helpful and accommodating. We’ll stay again on the way to the snow.

The hotpot dinner on the second night had everyone full and happy, and karaoke in the lounge afterward made it even more fun. Our group of about 100 came to Perisher for a ski trip over the last long weekend and stayed two nights at the Motor Inn. The cabins were clean and warm, the bedding was comfortable, and the staff were friendly. I really enjoyed it.

Although I’ve never stayed at Southern Cross Motor Inn, the way they handled bookings makes me want to come back next season. When Sydney went into a hard COVID lockdown this year, ski trips for people like me with young families were cancelled, costing time, effort, and money. I’m sure the business owner also suffered from lost bookings and no-cost cancellations, but the motel still offered clients like me cancellations at no cost. That was really heartwarming and comforting. Here’s hoping for season 2022.