Econo Lodge Port Augusta

With my dad's dementia, I booked at the last minute and was lucky to find a room in Pt Augusta. The male receptionist was accommodating, brought us proper milk instead of the long-life kind you often get at motels, and accurately pointed us to a place for dinner. They were generous when I asked for a late checkout, too. Affordable, quiet, and cosy. I'd gladly recommend it to friends and family.

A handy little stop for a road trip, just off the highway. The man at reception was lovely and even offered us a free upgrade. I think it was room 32 that had a scraping plastic or metal noise on the roof, which kept me awake a bit. Apart from that, it was fab.

I was here for company work for two weeks, Monday to Friday, in room 5. Cockroaches showed up the first week, then bedbugs by the second. When I came back, somebody else's bar of soap had been left there over the weekend. I also hosted a BBQ for my crew, and only the people who used the pool ended up with upset stomachs. Honestly, this place should be shut down. The drains smelled so bad I poured vinegar down them. The bathrooms are badly outdated, with peeling silicone and pink mould or soap scum everywhere. The rooms smell like a dusty caravan. Easily the worst place. I would have rather slept in my rooftop tent.

A last-minute stop in Port Augusta worked out smoothly for us at Econo Lodge. Even arriving late was easy, with friendly staff available around the clock and clear check-in instructions that made it quick. Our clean room had fresh bedding, a spotless bathroom, and comfortable beds that gave us a good night's sleep. Coffee, tea, and biscuits were a welcome extra after travelling. A reliable, welcoming place when you're passing through.