Hotel berhampiran Port Broughton Pioneers Monument, Port Pirie

Booked Ellen Hotel on trip from Coober Pedy to Adelaide, wanted somewhere nice to stay after a run of questionable outback motels. I booked a Luxury Suite, the photos looked stunning but in reality it was an internal room with no windows to outside. Only windows are to the adjoining Luxury Suite with a glass fishbowl lounge area where everyone can look in. I wouldn’t of minded as much if the didn’t interrogate me around the credit card for payment. I had 4 interactions all within the first 2hrs Rolf arriving. I’d just driving 6hrs and was tired to have Payment of room be queried, I booked and paid via my Qantas Holiday app - who then pay the hotel. After I check in, I got a phone call to return to reception - where the man said the credit card declined. I told him I prepaid - showed bank statement and confirmation emails but since the Ellen Hotel confirmation email said payment outstanding he made me feel like I was trying to defraud them - even wanted a different credit card, as he charged in EFTPOS machine the one on file in front of me to show me it was declined - it was very awkward and made me feel he would charge my guarantee card I provided. Having worked in hotels myself for many years, I asked him if he had contacted Qantas to confirm payment whereby my last interaction was that a virtual credit had been provided and could only be charged on checkout date - it seems like education is lacking all round. I can’t fault the room, and the internal decor - it was immaculate, bathroom was stunning with steam shower but no external windows. Incredibly clean (apart from some wear and tear with roof peeling from steam shower and bottle marks on tiles) The place was a motel that they’ve fully revamped and hats off to the owners that did this for the industrial town. It would probably be a great getaway location - and for my first time in Port Pirie I wouldn’t return over my check-in experience.

This place is an absolute gem. We were looking for an overnight stay on the way home from the Flinders Ranges, but just had to stay for two. Accommodation had everything we wanted an much more. A complimentary bottle of wine, fluffy bath robes and a small kitchen area. Everything was clean and fresh, the hosts perfect and the best bit - the owners also run the bakery next door. What a bakery. When planning your stay, take into account the number of different pies you want to savour.. There is also a giant aviary with a variety of native parrots galahs and cockatoos, and a petting zoo with friendly (and hungry) goats, llamas (alpacas??) and emus. This place was certainly one of the highlights of our trip. Will be back.

Upon arrival we discover that the motel has a faceless and remote checkin. You enter the unmanned reception area to come face to face with a person in another country on a video screen, looking surprised at our arrival. No hotel staff to be seen. An immediate worry. She assumed that a text message sent whilst we were driving (at this point unopened as it resembled spam) was enough explanation to get us settled into our room. She kindly spat out of a copier (luckily it had paper) the information we required for our stay. As we made our way up the stairs to our room, there was an occupational health and safety issue that required immediate attention. I went back into robot land to report the issue. She explained that there will not be anyone on site until the next day and that nothing could be done! I remedied the situation myself to save the owners from a possible lawsuit. Once we navigated our way inside the unit, it was small and functional but unclean, with former dispensers still installed but since abolished, and dirty soft furnishings. To their credit there was adequate supply of extras in the fridge and kitchen and bathroom, and a lovely new floating floorboard in the main room. We had had a huge day driving and a nine hour drive the next day. Our night was a disaster - the neighbouring customer of our room played loud music and then tv, interspersed with loud bouts of prolonged coughing throughout the entire evening. The motel is on a noisy main road as well. Other accomodation we have stayed in gives one an opportunity to voice a complaint that will be quickly addressed because the owners ARE ON SITE! In this location, we had no one to discuss issues with, give local advice/directions/info. Just a cold wooden person with no interest in your well being, on the other side of the world. I guess this is what budget motel is - pay peanuts, get monkeys.

The 2 bedroom cabin I booked was very new and clean. The kitchen had a stove, microwave oven, refridgerator and all cookinv and cleaning utensils. The beds were large and comfortable but blankets provided were not very warm for winter weather. We left the air conditioner on all night. The bathroom was designed for disabled access but there were no towel racks or hooks for hanging clothes. Location was on the main highway and a few minutes drive from a large shopping centre. Reception was only open during the day so make sure to contact them in advance if you plan to arrive at night. 我预订的两卧室小屋非常新，很干净。厨房里有炉灶、微波炉、冰箱以及所有的炊具和清洁用具。床很大很舒适，但提供的毯子在冬天天气不是很暖和。我们整晚都开着空调。浴室是为残疾人设计的，但没有毛巾架或挂衣服的挂钩。位置在主干道上，离一个大型购物中心只有几分钟车程。前台仅在白天开放，因此如果您计划在晚上抵达，请务必提前与他们联系。