Morning Calm Lodge Limited

Once the heater was on, our pod/chalet was warm enough, but I don't think I'd stay here outside summer. The outdoor shower was quite an experience, especially at night. Check-in also felt unfriendly. The woman at the office opened the door and kept asking whether we had a booking, without even a basic greeting. After we confirmed, she asked if we had money for it, even though we'd booked online. It wasn't awful, but there are plenty of things they could improve.

The place was very clean and the single beds were comfortable, which is why I'm giving it two stars. The facilities are incredibly basic, though we found it okay once we lowered our expectations from motel to backpackers. We'd asked by phone a few days ahead about checking in early, but our rooms still weren't ready when we arrived. One room smelled strongly of cigarettes. A woman who got there just before us said they'd taken her money but had no room for her; the owners took her to some half-built rooms, and we didn't see her again. There's also a tiny, creepy dog that watches everything. Sheep woke my husband at 2 a.m., then roosters were making noise outside the cabin at dawn. The blinds let in lots of light, and the water had a rusty, unpleasant taste, so I'd bring bottled water for drinking or tea. There were no extra blankets.

I've been staying here for a while and haven't had any problems. It's quiet, with lovely trees across the 21 acres, and the people here are nice. The boss and management are helpful and easy to get along with, and I'm grateful they give us a roof over our heads and accept animals. They're also making improvements to the property to make it more comfortable for the tenants.

I paid $40 for one night and didn't get any of it back. I'd booked a single room for one person and wasn't fussy about it, but they put me in a tiny loft room on the highest floor. The stairs were steep and felt dangerous, definitely not suitable for children. The house had an unpleasant old smell, too. When I asked for some money back because of the room, the staircase, and the poor service, the man refused and said it was my own problem. He was rude after that as well. I wouldn't stay there again.