Southern Ocean Motor Inn

Room 21 was a good size for our group, and the motel’s location is fantastic, with a great bay view and shops, restaurants, and other services only a short walk away. But the cleaning let the stay down badly. There was popcorn left by previous guests under the table, bed, and sofa, plus their food still in bowls in the cupboard. It felt like the room had been rushed through without care. It was the dirtiest place we stayed in Australia, and I wouldn’t recommend it. We checked in Jan 2nd and left Jan 3rd during our Great Ocean Road trip.

After travelling several hours with a friend visiting from overseas, we arrived to find we supposedly had the wrong date, even though I had written confirmation for 14/02-15/02. We were told the town was fully booked and there was nowhere for us to stay. No apology or accountability, just vague claims that the computer had glitched, deleted the booking, or someone else had been booked over it. The owner/manager had emailed in January to say a September booking for a Sea View Villa was cancelled over a “double booking,” then later said a cancellation meant it could be honoured after all. I replied straight away asking to pay in full to secure it, heard nothing for days, then followed up and got the dates confirmed in writing. Somehow the reservation still hadn’t been properly made or managed. We had email proof, but were made to feel it was our fault the booking didn’t exist. I believe the owner/manager found someone willing to pay more and cancelled ours without telling us. I’ve never encountered this much incompetence with so little remorse, and I’ll warn friends and family to avoid the place. Written confirmation clearly means nothing if management can deny your reservation when you turn up.

The rooms were fine, though the carpets were a bit wet and made it uncomfortable to walk barefoot. The motel frontage is beautiful, and the ocean view from the location is amazing.

The walk to the water and nearby restaurants was definitely a plus, and it was okay for an overnight stop while visiting 12 Apostels. Still, the small issues made the stay a bit uncomfortable and it fell short of what I expected for the price. Check-in was meant to be available until 19, but there was already nobody at reception at 18:10. The room was basic, with a very loud fridge, wear and tear everywhere, decayed hangers, hair in the bathroom, and no noise isolation. You could hear people in the yard. Guests are expected to take their rubbish to the bins outside in the morning.