Salty Shack Lancelin

The location is handy for the beach, but at $185 a night I expected a warmer welcome, less shabby surroundings and a couch without stains. The sofa looked like it had been through a few beach parties, and there was no milk when we arrived after 9pm hoping to sit down with a cuppa. Apparently even a $3 bottle from IGA isn’t included. Parking took some figuring out in the dark. With the backyard fenced off, all we had was a narrow strip beside the driveway. Bring a torch, and maybe a sense of humour or a tape measure if you have more than one car. The inside was clean, but outdoors was rough: weeds, tired plastic chairs and a yard that seemed to have given up. The online photos showed a very different version of the place. It’s a shame, because a bit of care could make it fantastic. A tidier yard, a couple of new outdoor chairs, working lights for late arrivals and a small basket of basic supplies would help a lot. Even some potted plants could change the feel. As it is, the “Salty” in the name seems to refer to more than the sea breeze.

We chose this accommodation at the last minute, when only three options were left online. The photos seemed fine, but what we found was completely different and disappointing. We weren’t expecting much given the timing, but we did expect basic cleanliness. It was nowhere near clean: we wouldn’t even sit on the sofa, and had to use bedding from our car instead of what was provided. There were 7 spiders and 1 dead cockroach!!!

A lovely place inside, near all the amenities. The gate is fully enclosed, which was great for pets, and it’s not too far from Perth.

From outside, the place doesn’t give much away, but once you’re in, the layout is clever and makes great use of the space. It has a lovely beachy feel, and we felt at home straight away. We love it.