Motel review - Not going back
I've just returned from an extended weekend away in which I needed accommodation and as per the post I wrote a few days ago it didn't need to be fancy or expensive accommodation, just serviceable, reasonably comfortable and clean. You can take a look at that post here if you would like.
In it you'll read how my accommodation didn't live up to expectations, even the low expectation I had, considering the low nightly-rate of the motel I chose.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/ukKZIWbs-BeFunky-collage.jpg)
When we book accommodation we use a mixture of booking sites and directly with the accommodation-operator depending on where and what we are booking.
We've had Bed & Breakfast accommodation, hotels, motels, private apartments and villas, trains, camp sites in the wilderness and just about everything in-between.
I've been using booking.com for a while now, booked all our accommodation in the last two years through their site actually, and only had two issues: One in Shaftsbury, UK and last weekend in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Again, the link above will take you to that post if you're keen. (Image above is my place, not the motel I stayed in)
The good thing about booking.com is that one can read reviews from others who have stayed in a location you may be considering and whilst some of those reviews are not that helpful I have found most of them to be of great assistance. This is why I always leave a review in each place I stay when booking through that site.
I left a review for the motel I stayed at over the weekend which is below.
I always try to be constructive with my reviews, leaving information that others may use to determine the suitability of the accommodation for themselves, and to not be too hurtful to the establishment. Having said that...I'm not sure if my review of the most recent accommodation, the motel in Mount Gambier, fit's that constructive mould. You can see for yourself if you like as I have cut and pasted the review from the booking.com website as below.
Too harsh? Yeah I guess maybe in hindsight I could have tempered it somewhat however I was concerned that the description on the booking site wasn't that close to the reality of the motel. I'm not a huge fan of false and misleading claims and advertising - We have a law against it in fact, called the Trade Practices Act, which this motel would fall under of course.
My last line refers to bringing my swag next time and staying in the forest with the bears and snakes - An environment I would have probably felt more comfortable in. The motel was completely inadequate and I'm really surprised they are permitted to operate with rooms in that condition. I mean, why supply tea and coffee-making facilities but no cutlery to stir the coffee? Yes, I really did use my comb to stir my coffee however would probably have been better off heading to McDonalds for the dish-water-swill they call coffee - Probably would have been better.
It's my fault I stayed at that motel; Completely my fault, as I selected and booked it. You know what? I didn't read the reviews either...Big mistake. Am I being too harsh on it? For a three-night stay $240 is very cheap after all...Maybe I'm being too harsh...But then how difficult would it be to fix the exhaust fan in the bathroom, clean out the shower-head, deodorise the carpet, provide a teaspoon for coffee-stirring...The little things. I think these things could make a big difference, but they've been neglected, certainly in my room, and I have no reason to believe the other rooms would be any different. Plus, observe the do not disturb sign people! It's not that difficult...See the sign - Don't go in. Easy.
Anyway, out of all the accommodation I have booked I don't think having two duds is a bad record really. The bed & breakfast in the UK wasn't really a dud either to be honest - We just didn't like the attitude of the husband of the owner for a couple of reasons and decided to leave and go elsewhere. On that occasion I paid in full for two nights ($480 UK pounds) but only stayed one, leaving prior to the breakfast service - Which looked bloody awesome. That's probably an indication of how annoyed I was - Leaving prior to breakfast and all.
I wonder, do any of you leave reviews like this? I know google has a review-option for just about any business and whilst most of it is just people having a whine about something that didn't go their way, much of it is constructive. I'm one who will leave a great review if it's deserved, will tip big [tipping is not done in Australia, but I do anyway at times] or write to the manager or owner with great feedback. With poor feedback I either leave a review as above, or never go back. I guess that's the easiest option.
What about you?
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
You were brave to use the coffee service! Did you scrub the cup out well? Your comb may have been cleaner than a spoon anyway.
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Haha, yeah washed the cup...Then half way through I thought how bad the kettle I boiled the water in may have been. If I die of some obscure disease we'll know why. 🤨
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They got the full wrath of @galenkp in that review! Well in fact, they got two reviews. One on Steem and one on booking.com.
Immortalised their review on the blockchain for all to see...I'm still having counselling for having to stir my coffee with my hair comb. I'll be ok though, after a few sessions.
Probably not much choice out at Mt Gambier either?
Loads actually but it's all about the same...Well, not as bad as this one was, but similar in style at least. Problem is that it books out so quickly. When I was there for the shooting even the local show was on, a dog-racing event, drift-car event and some arts and crafts thing also. Accommodation was thin on the ground.
Mount Gambier is a nice spot in my opinion though, good for a day or two visit for tourists and a good jump-off point for the Great Ocean Rd drive through to Geelong in Vic.
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 1/15)
I like the comments you left for your review I probably would have not held back if I was doing a review good or bad.
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No point gilding the lily...All one ends up with is a gilded lily.
I prefer honesty in life, and so my reviews reflect it.
Agree best be real about👍
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Awesome review!
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Not too much?
If you knew my nature in real life you'd see the [dry] humour in it I guess, but also understand how annoyed I was with the room and the operator in general. I hope some of that came through in the review though, for those who don't know me I mean.
I bet your hair smells great after having stirred coffee with your comb! I thought your review was very funny and nicely written, and I definitely wouldn't stay in that motel after reading it. I don't leave reviews very often, and never of motels. I don't get to leave the house to stay in them. I just travel vicariously through others. And I guess I get to enjoy motel reviews vicariously too.
Oh yeah, It's smelling great! I'm going to patent a new hair product called 'le scent de la caffeine Gonna be a millionaire!
Oof. I had just gotten through the review part when my mother in law rocked up and I had to share the bit about how you were saying it smelled "used" but you weren't sure what for XD
I went through a stage where I wanted to leave reviews for things (and sometimes even did, mostly positive or at least attempting to be constructive as it seems to be an act of petty revenge for having an ego bruised for a lot of people to leave a negative review), but it was one of the first things to fall by the wayside when I really had to start prioritising time.
I only do it for accommodation. People spend thousands travelling and to have a dud room can really affect the whole trip negatively. With all my reviews I take into account my personal experience and keep it on-point and specific to my stay as you can see. I never leave reviews when I am angry or upset - I wait until later when my review will be more valuable to others.
If I get a dud product or service elsewhere I just never go back.
Good way to do it. Many of the reviews I’ve read were definitely done when angry, guess they missed the memo about not sending things when angry 🤣
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Beautiful motel...thanks for represent.
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Please read the post before you comment. This post is about how terrible the motel was. I don't value comments from those who have made no effort to read the post. If you wish to engage with me do so in a valid way.
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I have left a few Scathing Reviews.
Brutal and Honest just like Yours, that probably left some lowly room attendant fired, without a job, living with their swag, under a bridge...LMAO
It takes a lot to get me to that point, it has to be many things, I can overlook a few.....
Really the Manager / Owner is probably the slacker to blame. I usually site management when leaving a self esteem destroying review like Yours..... Heheheh
Just kidding, like You said,... : "I could go on but don't want to re-live it any further"
Question @galenkp .... Why do you not camp on site at the events, and do you ever pitch a tent..? LOL.. No pun intended. It has been ages since I slept out on the ground under the stars. I need to do that again soon.
I'm always camping - One of my great loves. This particular range wasn't really well set up for it and whilst bush-camping isn't a problem for me I knew the weather was rolling in(which it did) and was going to be quite poor. Best to have a roof over my head in that case.
I've got a pretty sweet camper trailer plus a swag and all the other equipment so am set up for it...Just depends on the scenario I'm in.
Also at these events we do so much set up and pack up work I didn't want the additional work if breaking camp.
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