Paradise Lakes Motel

The showers were hot, but the pipes made a screaming noise. There were holes in the carpet and loose strings, and my elderly partner worried about tripping, so he walked around them. We didn't get daily bed making or shower gel top-ups. The pool had a black plastic bag caught in the filter for the two days we were there, and nobody dealt with it. The pool area looked abandoned, and the spa was green. The rooms were dark, with cheap laminate over MDF that looked like it was from the 80s. Ashtrays sat outside every room, some full of cigarette butts, along with water bottles full of butts. This is absolutely not a four-star place, and even three stars would be pushing it. Someone staying in another room by the pool told us they'd had to move because of holes in the floor. We'll stay somewhere else in Shepparton next time.

The room was spacious and the spa worked, but those were the only good parts of the stay. It felt like a cheap horror movie, and I honestly felt unsafe at night. Staff seemed indifferent, the room was dirty, and the decor was coming apart. I wouldn't recommend staying here.

The rates were reasonable, but the motel is looking run down now. It must have been lovely in its day. It could use a tidy-up, especially in the gardens: the grass out back needs cutting, and there was a large pile of old mattresses dumped near the lake.

The lake views were nice, and the owners were helpful. It's about 10 minutes from Shepparton city centre. This is an older, classic motel with an old-fashioned fit-out, but it was very clean and just right for our stay. The linen was spotless, which is all you can ask. Just keep in mind that the swimming pool isn't open all year.