Hubby and I drove to Bendigo to go see the Little House Festival the town was putting on.  Therefore we were just after a cheap night’s accommodation for one night.  Our only requirements were that it was clean and we had our own room and bathroom.  The oval motel fitted the bill perfectly offering a great rate and a few extras we weren’t expecting.

Address

194 Barnard Street, Bendigo VIC 3550 – about an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.

Date stayed

Saturday 23rd March 2019 for one night

Price

$99 for one night room only booked directly through the hotel as they had the room type we were after available.

Room Type

Queen room.  We were in room 14.

Courtesy of Oval Motel website

Location

The location was excellent.  Just opposite the Queen Elizabeth Oval, the Oval Motel is just a five minute walk to the city centre where there is lots to see and do, plenty of shops and eateries and close to public transport.

Check-in/Check-out

• Check-in 1pm
• Check-out 10am
• Desk opens at 7:30am until 7:30pm.  Check-in after this time can be arranged with a phone call giving 24 hour notice.
• Express check-out is available where keys can be left in the box outside as long as the bill has already been paid.

Parking

Complimentary self-parking is available onsite just outside your room with further free parking out on the street.

WiFi

Free unlimited WiFi is available in all rooms and public areas within the motel grounds.

Room Features

• Queen bed with electric blanket
• Heating and air-conditioning
• Refrigerator, toaster and mocrowave
• Tea & coffee making facilities with biscuits and fresh milk
• Crockery, glasses and utensils
• Bendigo Weekly newspaper
• Flyscreen on door to let fresh air in
• Two seater couch
• 32 inch flat screen TV
• Table and two arm chairs
• Outdoor table and chairs for each room
• Alarm clock displaying time in large format
• Soap, shampoo, make-up remover wipe and shower-cap in the bathroom
• Cupboard containing iron & ironing board, spare blanket, fly spray, coathangers and luggage holder

View out the window

The view out our window was the carpark and the table and chairs just outside the room.

Motel Facilities

• 32 guest rooms with a good variety of room types
• Breakfast room service
• Daily housekeeping
• Self serve laundry
• A selection of drinks and snacks available for purchase at reception

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the room and prices start from $2 for cereal up to $14 for eggs on toast with spaghetti, baked beans and/or sausages.  There is a pigeon hole in the wall for room service meals to be delivered just like the old days.  The motel also does toasties and toasted wraps for $7 to eat on the go. Whilst we didn’t try out the breakfast menu due to there being plenty of food options nearby, the prices seemed very reasonable.

What’s nearby

• Faith Leech Aquatic Centre – same street
• Bendigo Health Hospital – same street
• Bendigo Art Gallery – 2 minute walk
• Rosalind Park – 2 minute walk
• Central Deborah Gold Mine – 15 minute walk
• Chinese Museum & Gardens – 2km walk
• Bendigo Pottery – 9 minute drive
• Bendigo Botanic Gardens – 10 minute drive

Pros

• Complimentary WiFi and parking
• Microwave, fridge and toaster
• Fresh milk, biscuits and newspaper in room
• Plenty of power outlets in room
• Great water pressure in shower
• Very friendly owners
• Bed very comfortable
• Room very clean
• Room thoughtfully made up
• Great location

Cons

• WiFi was a bit slow at times
• Shower was a bit small and old with a curtain rather than a screen
• Soundproofing between rooms was not great

Summary

I would definitely stay at the Oval Motel again.  The location is excellent and a lot of thought and effort has gone into making the rooms look good and feel comfortable by the lovely owners.  The place was very clean and the little extras such as the biscuits, milk and 20% off meals at the pub we dined at was appreciated.  The room had everything you needed plus some.