The Lodge Outback Motel

The staff were helpful and the location was pretty decent, but the room had a strange smell. The door wouldn't shut properly, the fridge and air conditioner were noisy, there was no hand soap at the sink, the shower handle was broken and no toilet paper had been put on the holder.

The location was reasonably good, but the newer rooms away from the main building were far from simple, basic and clean. These standard motel rooms for travellers were nothing like the spotless portable-building accommodation and shared facilities we've found elsewhere in the outback. Look closely and the fan is filthy, the electrical switches don't work, and the shower is disgraceful. It's not hard to treat guests with respect. On arrival, a bad-tempered woman greeted us and marched around barking orders like an angry drill sergeant.

The room was okay for a night and had what we needed, plus a comfortable bed. The receptionist wasn't pleasant. She seemed unhappy that we arrived at 2 pm, and when we asked about attractions, she suggested one that we later learned was closing in half an hour. I saw her again that evening, said hello, and got no response.

The mattress was the one good thing. The rooms are ugly, uncomfortable, run down and outdated, with hairs in the blanket, and badly need renovating. The woman at reception wasn't very welcoming either. I don't know what other options there are in Broken Hill, but I wouldn't stay here again.