Hotels Near Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden Boardwalk in Port Augusta West

This property would have been more impressive visually had we not just come from luxury in Berri, SA. The one bedroom oceanveiw apartment was all modern with a new kitchen and good dining space. The bathroom was a bit squishy with washer and dryer in it (handy for a longer stay, but we were only there one night) and toilet paper in odd spot across from the toilet (had to move it to stop it getting wet when you shower and dry yourself). Also hard to flush toilet - button stiff. Shower head powerful, but only in the outside circle, no water in the middle, but still decent. Bed a bit hard and pillows not comfy. Interesting design with 2 wall-doors (L-shape) of the bedroom opening and closing into the dining/kitchen. Did find the staff quite rude - the sofa bed was not made up upon arrival, despite it being requested, the bedding for it was left on chair beside the sofa. The last thing you feel like doing when arriving at 6pm after a long day of driving is making your own bed - especially when you've paid for the extra person to be in the room! There was also no extra towel for the extra person. We called reception and were told just make up the sofa yourself then collect the required towels from reception. No explanation, apology or offer to assist. They then called back to say they would deliver the towels to the room, which they did. The property would get 4 stars, if not for the staff/bedding issue. This apartment had no real view of water, just glimpses as it was on the ground floor behind a fence, multiple trees and the kids playground. Nice location on the esplanade, an easy walk through the property to the Esplanade for gorgeous sunset views. Liked the property being gated with the area having a poor reputation for security, would have preferred to be upstairs for more security and better views. Also then wouldn't have heard those above us walking around. Noise wasn't extreme, but definitely noticeable.

We had a meal here and it was very nice. Just a shame about the staff. We had our table booked and another small family of 4 walked in without a booking. They moved our other half of our table to make room for themselves (understandable as we didn’t need it) one staff member came bellowing over and started talking really sternly to us for allowing them to shift a table and also had a go at the family for moving the table. It was quite embarrassing. Won’t return again for a while. Shame because the meal was nice.

All the inclusions I needed for a 3 night stay with kitchen utensils, large fridge, living and dining area. Bathroom and Bedrooms were a generous size and would suit 2 couples. Loved the small touches on arrival and the check in process was seamless. It was a quick walk to the foreshore, perfect for a morning walk or an evening stroll after work. Great location!

The Westland is a quintessential Australian motel. Park at your door, stay in comfortable room with basic amenities, slightly dated but serviceable furnishing, small yet functional bathroom - old style power shower. Heating and cooling, pool for the hot days with picnic tables. The highlight is the excellent friendly staff, east location next to the plaza and the on-site restaurant is good affordable food. A very good stay.

Whyalla is a small town but the street lights are wrong. Generally speaking, the hotel is very new and convenient to drive! There is a large local supermarket shopping area at the door. In addition, this time we booked a two-room apartment combination, which is very convenient to travel together, and there is a small partition in the middle to leave enough space.

Lovely greeting when we checked in. We stayed in a Delux Family Room which has 2 separate bedrooms and large lounge/dining/kitchen area with washer/drier in bathroom. Kitchen though only has a microwave and frypan, with pots and pans in the drawers, but no stove or oven to use them. Overall a good nights stay with comfortable beds.

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.