High Country Motor Inn

It’s good that more motels welcome dogs at a reasonable price, but one guest left a barking dog alone in their room every afternoon. Other owners let their dogs roam off lead and left dog mess on the lawn. The same group set up trestle tables outside their rooms, and they and their children shouted and yelled until 2 or 3 am, even though it wasn’t NY. I gathered they book the same rooms at the same time every year. No one from the motel seemed to care or stop them. In the morning, empty cans and bottles were scattered around. It was a miserable experience, especially with a full day of driving ahead.

We booked a room at the very last minute in mid-December, and they looked after us straight away even though it was Sunday and reception was closed. Really grateful for that hospitality! The rooms were nice and tidy, with everything we could need.

The rooms are a good size, clean, and have comfortable beds, though this is an old style motel. Our room, number 4, got no natural light, though rooms on the other side of the courtyard might. The main problem was other guests. It’s great that the motel allows pets, but some guests ignored the rules. The dog in the room next to us was left alone several times and barked and barked. Most guests with dogs let them roam without leads and didn’t pick up after them. Worst of all, a large group took over the central courtyard and pool and partied until 2:30 am, with no thought for people trying to sleep. The next morning, rubbish and debris were spread all over the courtyard. It was disgraceful and unfair to the motel staff who had to clean it up.

The sheets were crisp and clean, but the bed was hard and uncomfortable, the furniture dated, and the bathroom needed a deep clean. The walls were thin enough that we could hear neighbours talking, and the plumbing was so loud we thought they were in our bathroom. On arrival I was told, “You know there’s a dog fee.” I had to pay an extra $30 for three nights for one dog, but nothing was provided for it, not even bowls or pick-up bags. The grounds need work too, with lots of potholes in the parking area, and the pool was out of order.