Ascot Lodge Motor Inn

Finding a hotel on the road while travelling in regional Australia is a lucky dip at best. You don’t always make the best choice. Driving through regional Queensland this week took us last night to Kingaroy. We thought a few in the town looked okay but chose the Ascot Lodge Motor Inn, Kingaroy. It was a hot day and we were pleased when we pulled up that there was a small but very clean sparkling pool. We went into the office to check in and met the Manager on site, Chris. What a delightful lady. We were quickly checked in, and one of us being a ‘painful vegetarian’, asked about the in-house restaurant (also a recurring lucky dip). Chris was so helpful and was able to tell me about the options and suggested the chef could adjust dishes to suit. What a great welcome. That welcome was helped by a very hygienically presented lolly table, so we grabbed a couple of little buckets of sweet treats for later. What a nice touch! We went to our room and were delighted at everything. Yes. Everything. Great coffee and tea station, brand new fridges, fresh clean surfaces and walls, and a sparkling bathroom with great products and a roomy shower. Then the bed. Hands up how many of you have slept in caved-in beds in country hotels? Not this one. Beds were high, not too firm pillow-tops. Fantastic. Great air conditioning, a comfy lounge and big generous clean pillows and crisp white sheets. I could stay here a week! I’m sure the locals know about the restaurant here and make good use of it so make sure you book when you arrive. The food was amazing. Probably the best lentil and cauliflower curry I’ve ever had. Top notch chutney and raita together with a generous little naan bread. We also got a juicy chicken breast on porcini risotto. All perfectly cooked and matched with a great (underpriced) Hunter Valley Shiraz. All of this was amazingly good, but I must say chatting to Chris was part of the best of the experience. She’s started from the bottom in hospitality and worked her way up to management level. She’s enthusiastic and efficient and a credit to the hotel and knows the business. True talent right there!! A delight. Made us feel at home and her attention to detail showed through in everything including the fully stocked guest laundry complete with a guest freezer to freeze our esky blocks and drinks for the day ahead. They’ve thought of everything. Don’t drive past the Ascot! (Also a really quiet location!)

Stayed here with large group of friends. Great location! Rooms were very clean and roomy. Plenty of tea, coffee and sugar supplied in the room. Big bathroom. Full sized hair dryer in room. Undercover parking for vehicles. It was cold, being in July, room had a heater and stayed nice and warm overnight, without the heater on. Staff were very friendly. Loved the little touch of sweetness with some chocolate peanuts left in the room as a complimentary gift. As a group we utilised the bbq facilities which were also very clean.

Large spacious room with comfortable beds, and within walking distance of the town centre. Friendly, very helpful staff. The motel has a restaurant, and the owner did his best to convince us it was worth eating in. Being too tired to get in the car and drive some where we decided to try it. What a good decision. Excellent meals, properly cooked at reasonable prices. What a little gem!