Mackenzie Motel Cottages

The bed was comfortable, but I probably won't return. There were clean towels and bedsheets, but the pillowcases didn't look changed, so we used the towels to cover the pillows. There was mold in the fridge and shower, cobwebs in several spots, and a spilled drink on the floor. Nearly every surface was dirty. The bathroom door kept opening on its own, and there were several patch jobs around the room. The renovations were an interesting feature, though they didn't look professionally done.

My crew of 14 guys stayed here for over a month, and the location worked perfectly for us. Whenever something came up, the friendly, professional staff dealt with it promptly. I hope we can stay here again when we return in two years.

The kitchen was poorly equipped for a cottage that sleeps four: just one bowl and one fork, no oven mitts, and a dirty sponge by the sink. The range was greasy and caked with food, with grime underneath; its burners smoked heavily when switched on. The kettle was greasy too, and the dish soap bottle and compost bin lid felt grimy. The bathroom wasn't clean, and the blinds and valance were thick with dust and grime and needed replacing. There were cobwebs around the cottage, and the living-room rug looked and smelled as if it had never been cleaned. The linens were stained, and the towels were thin, worn, and had holes. Despite the word "luxury" in the name, the stay didn't feel that way. We were in town for Dock Days and the See Me Run marathon, and with all the other amenities fully booked, we would have left if we could. We booked based on the website's glowing reviews, but they seem to reflect previous ownership. This could be a charming place with more care: a thorough cleaning, fresh linens, basic kitchen supplies, a better mattress, and updated furniture would help a lot. As things stand, we don't recommend staying until the new owners address the cleanliness and comfort problems.

We were prepared for something cheap and cheerful, but this was more than we bargained for. Everything was dirty and in a state of rot. The new owners didn't seem to have invested much beyond collecting money from unsuspecting travellers. We lasted one night, cancelled the second, and left Shelburne for good.