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Summary of reviewsThe Boat Harbour Motel in Wollongong is celebrated predominantly for its exceptional location, which is frequently highlighted by guests. Positioned right on the harbour and close to the beach, cafés, restaurants and the town center, its convenience and picturesque surroundings make it a perfect base for exploring local attractions such as WIN Stadium and Flagstaff Hill. The motel offers spectacular views of the water, which enhance the overall guest experience.
Guests appreciate the clean, spacious and comfortable rooms, often complimenting the tranquil harbor or ocean vistas from their balconies. Though the decor is somewhat dated and certain amenities could benefit from refurbishment, the functionality and cleanliness of the rooms are consistently commended. The motel's friendly and helpful staff add to the positive atmosphere, providing excellent service and accommodating various guest needs.
The on-site dining options at Boat Harbour Motel are another highlight, particularly the Anchorage Restaurant and the Basin Cafe. Both venues offer delightful meals with the Anchorage Restaurant being notably praised for its delicious dinners and fantastic ocean view. The Basin Cafe offers a superb breakfast experience, appreciated for its tasty menu, great coffee and scenic ambiance. While some guests found the dining options slightly pricey, the quality of the food and the convenience of having on-site restaurants enhance the overall stay.
Additional amenities such as free parking and WiFi are generally well-received, though some guests faced challenges with WiFi connectivity. The motel provides ample parking, though it can be tight and fill up quickly. Cleanliness across the motel is consistently highlighted with guests frequently noting the spotless rooms and comfortable beds.
Overall, the Boat Harbour Motel offers a clean, comfortable and welcoming stay, providing good value for money despite its need for some updates. Its unbeatable location near Wollongong's key attractions and the friendly, accommodating staff make it a highly recommended choice for travelers. Show more
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Motel with Parking
Boat Harbour Motel provides free off-street parking and free self-parking for its guests. This offers convenient and cost-free parking directly at the motel.
3-Star Motel
This motel is known for its excellent location right on Boat Harbour. It provides comfortable rooms and is a popular choice for guests visiting Wollongong.
Motel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Room Types
King Room with Ocean ViewThe spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Queen Room with Ocean ViewThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Triple Room with Ocean ViewThis air-conditioned triple room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with sea views. The unit has 2 beds.
Queen Room - Park HarbourThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Triple Room - Park HarbourThis air-conditioned triple room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Queen RoomThe spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with a quiet street view as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Triple RoomThis air-conditioned triple room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with a quiet street view. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
The Boat Harbour Motel boasts a truly remarkable location, consistently praised by guests for its proximity to Wollongong's premier attractions. Situated right on the harbour, it offers easy access to the beach, cafés, restaurants and the town center, making it incredibly convenient for visitors. The spectacular views of the water and surrounding area are a recurring highlight, adding to the overall charm of the place.
Guests appreciate the ease of walking to local points of interest like WIN Stadium, Flagstaff Hill and various dining options. The motel's surroundings are described as picturesque and relaxing, perfect for those who enjoy waterfront settings and scenic walks. The free parking provided is another advantage for travelers who drive.
Despite being an older establishment, the Boat Harbour Motel is valued for its cleanliness, friendly staff and functional amenities. Reviews also frequently mention the good size of the rooms and the comfort they provide. Its central location allows guests to leave their cars and explore the area on foot, enhancing the overall experience.
Overall, the Boat Harbour Motel is celebrated primarily for its unbeatable location, making it an ideal base for those wanting to explore Wollongong's beaches, harbour and city center.
Breakfast
Nestled adjacent to the harbor, the Boat Harbour Motel offers a charming morning dining experience that has received praise from its guests. The Basin Cafe, located on the ground level, has been highlighted as a delightful spot for breakfast. Guests consistently compliment its tasty menu options and great coffee, making it a superb start to the day.
The convenience of having an onsite cafe doesn't go unnoticed, providing easy access to enjoyable breakfasts without the need to leave the premises. Many reviews repeatedly mention the excellence of the food, the reasonable pricing and the picturesque views from the cafe, amplifying the morning dining charm. Another guest-favored spot is the Anchorage restaurant, offering an unexpected delight for dinner, adding to the variety of dining options available within the vicinity.
Operational early in the morning, the cafes ensure that both early risers and those who prefer a leisurely breakfast are well catered to. The coffee, specifically, has been frequently praised with some guests notably enjoying take-away options for a pleasant morning cup.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, a few guests mentioned the absence of included breakfast and the lack of dishwashing essentials for those bringing their food. However, the array of positive feedback about the cafe's quality, views and convenience largely overshadow these minor points.
Overall, the breakfast experience at Boat Harbour Motel’s onsite cafes is marked by delicious food, fantastic coffee and picturesque settings, making it a highly recommended aspect of the stay.
Dinner
The Boat Harbour Motel offers a delightful dining experience, particularly with its on-site options. Guests frequently praise the Anchorage Restaurant, describing it as a hidden gem with excellent, first-class service and amazing food. The restaurant's gorgeous view of the ocean adds a special touch to the dining experience. Other options include the Basin Cafe, which is highly recommended for breakfast and lunch and has been described as great, although some find it slightly pricey.
The convenience of having both a restaurant and a cafe on-site is a notable benefit, often highlighted by guests for its handiness and the discounts offered to guests. The in-house restaurant is noted to be a fantastic place to enjoy a meal, although it is only open from Wednesday to Saturday. Most reviews speak highly of the food quality, describing dinners as excellent and some as superb meals that are worth booking in advance due to popularity.
The location of the Boat Harbour Motel is another plus with guests appreciating the short walking distance to various restaurants and the harbour area, making it easy to explore nearby dining options. Some reviews mentioned the noise from the café downstairs, but this did not overshadow the overall positive dining experiences.
A particularly memorable mention was for a late-night dinner of delicious salmon and salt and pepper calamari delivered to the room, which showcases the flexibility and quality of the on-site dining services. Overall, while some found the restaurant a bit pricey, the overwhelming consensus is that the Boat Harbour Motel offers excellent dining options that enhance the stay experience.
Rooms
The rooms at Boat Harbour Motel receive mixed reviews from guests. Many guests highlight the spaciousness and comfort of the rooms, noting that they are clean and well-maintained. The views from the rooms, especially those facing the harbor or ocean, are frequently praised for their beauty and tranquility. Balconies in some rooms add to the pleasant experience, allowing for fresh air and additional space.
However, numerous reviews mention that the rooms are outdated and in need of refurbishment. Guests often describe the decor and furnishings as tired and worn with some pointing out specific issues such as small, basic bathrooms and older air conditioning systems. Despite these drawbacks, the rooms are generally described as functional and the cleanliness is consistently commended.
Overall, the combination of spaciousness, cleanliness and scenic views makes the rooms a good value, although modernization and updates are needed to enhance the guest experience fully.
Beds
The guest reviews for the beds at Boat Harbour Motel portray a predominantly positive picture. Most visitors found the beds to be very comfortable, highlighting terms like comfy, super comfy and very comfortable. Several guests even described the bedding as clean and very comfortable, while a few noted the mattress was particularly comfortable or the most comfortable motel mattress they had slept on in years. The majority of reviews mention comfortable beds with many people appreciating the soft and fluffy nature of the bedding.
However, the feedback isn't universally glowing. A smaller number of guests found the mattresses either too firm or too soft with some beds described as hard, lumpy or sagging. A few comments mentioned discomfort with the pillows, noting they were either too soft or felt old and rough. There were also a handful of observations about bed sizes with some beds deemed too small or tiny and a few single beds breaking during use.
Overall, while there were a few mixed experiences, the consensus is that Boat Harbour Motel provides comfortable and clean bedding that satisfies most guests, ensuring a good night's sleep for the majority.
Cleanliness
The Boat Harbour Motel consistently earns high marks for its cleanliness, as highlighted by numerous guest reviews. Guests frequently emphasize that the rooms are very clean, tidy and well-maintained. Many found the bedding, pillows and sheets spotless, contributing to an overall comfortable stay with good facilities that are both clean and functional.
Although the motel is described as somewhat dated and in need of refurbishment, its cleanliness is generally unaffected. Some visitors noted that bathrooms, despite being small, outdated and occasionally exhibiting minor issues like mold, were typically clean. A few specific cases of cleanliness falling short, such as dirty sheets and minor maintenance needs, were reported but seem to be exceptions rather than the norm.
Guests especially appreciated the cleanliness and comfort of their rooms, often describing them as large, spacious and well-equipped with everything needed for a short stay. The motel’s staff were also praised for their excellent cleanliness standards and helpful demeanor.
Overall, while the facility is older and could benefit from updates, the Boat Harbour Motel offers a reliably clean and comfortable experience with a great location near the boat harbor.
Staff
For those planning a visit to the Boat Harbour Motel, there’s an overwhelming consensus on one thing: the staff make the stay remarkably pleasant. Consistently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating, the staff at this motel go above and beyond to ensure guests have a positive experience. There’s frequent mention of the reception team, who are not only efficient but also particularly welcoming, often going out of their way to meet guest needs.
The management team, including the owners and general manager, receive high praise for their approachability and helpfulness, contributing significantly to the warm atmosphere. Even the cleaning and housekeeping staff are highlighted for their professionalism and friendly demeanor. It’s clear from the reviews that the staff excel in customer service, creating a hospitable environment that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
While there were a few isolated mentions of less satisfactory interactions, these are vastly outnumbered by positive feedback. Guests commonly report excellent service, quick and efficient check-ins and attentive assistance throughout their stay. Whether it’s a friendly greeting upon arrival or the staff’s readiness to handle special requests and solve issues, the team’s dedication to guest satisfaction stands out.
Overall, the staff at Boat Harbour Motel are a significant highlight and contribute greatly to the charm and appeal of this establishment, making it a top choice for travelers seeking a welcoming and supportive accommodation experience.
Wi-Fi
The guest reviews for Boat Harbour Motel present a mixed bag when it comes to WiFi experiences. While the motel offers complimentary WiFi in the rooms and has a well-connected network according to some guests, others found the service lacking. There are positive notes about the internet being strong and fast, which allows for easy access to services like Netflix on chromecast-enabled TVs. Some guests experienced no issues with the WiFi and appreciated the free service.
However, many reviews highlighted problems with the WiFi, including poor or spotty connections, slow speeds and instances where the WiFi was completely unavailable. Guests reported frustration when the WiFi did not work or had limited availability. It appears that while some guests had smooth and reliable internet access, others faced significant challenges.
Parking
Parking at the Boat Harbour Motel receives mixed feedback from guests, though several positive aspects stand out. The availability of on-site parking and free parking options are frequently mentioned with guests appreciating the convenience of having parking directly at the hotel. Many users highlight that parking is easy, well-lit at night and generally accommodating, even if a bit tight at times. There are ample parking spaces available and it’s seen as a handy facility with undercover and outdoor options.
However, some reviews point out limitations. Parking can be a hit or miss experience, often described as limited, especially challenging for larger vehicles and occasionally requiring guests to seek street parking. Some guests also note the parking lot can fill up quickly, especially by midnight, which proves frustrating for late arrivals. There are concerns about the lack of secure parking and no allocated spaces for disability vehicles. Despite these limitations, the overall impression is that the Boat Harbour Motel provides satisfactory parking facilities that cater to most guests' needs.
3 Star
Boat Harbour Motel offers classic three-star comfort with reasonable service, providing good value for money. Despite being an older type building with some outdated decor, it maintains cleanliness and comfort. The bathrooms, although small and lacking in modern features, are functional. While not luxurious, the motel ensures a budget-friendly and cheerful stay, especially praised for its prime harbor location. Some guests have noted that the motel could benefit from updates, remarking it feels more two-and-a-half stars in terms of facilities. Nonetheless, for those setting their expectations accordingly, it delivers on a simple and convenient place to stay.
No, Boat Harbour Motel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Boat Harbour Motel.
No, Boat Harbour Motel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Boat Harbour Motel.