Colonial Motor Inn: Victor Harbor

Imagine staying in the heart of Victor Harbor, yet still feeling right at home. The Colonial Motor Inn is in an excellent location and new owners, Des & Sandy Manuel, have given it their personal touch making all people, be they from Adelaide or Austria, feel equally welcome.

The Colonial is on the doorstep of most of Victor Harbour's attractions. It is in the centre of town, 2 minutes' walk from the shops of Ocean Street, The SA Whale Centre and the Granite Island causeway.

Only a block from the beach, the Colonial has rooms on two levels. There are six standard rooms, with en suite, reverse-cycle air conditioning, remote-controlled TV and tea & coffee making facilities. Eleven rooms have kitchenettes with stove tops, frying pans and toaster. Some have microwave ovens.

Also available is a luxury spa suite for a relaxing or romantic addition to your stay and a two-bedroom unit for up to six people, featuring a full size kitchen and dining setting for six. All rooms have an iron, ironing board and extra linen.

The Colonial has a strong three-star rating and is part of the Flag chain so standards are always high. A recent RAA inspection gave the motel 28 points out of 30, a grade some four and five-star establishments don't attain.

Des & Sandy are proud of this rating and place a high value on keeping rooms spotless.

Many of the beds have recently been replaced so you can be sure you will get a good night's sleep on a comfortable mattress. And speaking of comfort, Des & Sandy will go out of their way to make sure you feel at home. They don't stay hidden behind the reception desk; they're out in the car park to welcome visitors. Even if there's no vacancy, Des will be on the phone trying to find guests alternative accommodation.

One family who stayed at the Colonial wanted to book extra nights but no rooms were available. They found a room somewhere else but turned up again later in the week looking for a room, saying "We've come back home".

"The personal touch is pretty important," says Des, who is always happy to do that little bit extra to help out guests, whether it's providing some corn flakes for breakfast or giving advice on the best attractions in the region.

Being in the centre of Victor Harbor, The Colonial Motor Inn is handy to just about everything. The township is right on your doorstep so you are only minutes away from shops and fine restaurants.

It is a short stroll across Warland Reserve to the SA Whale Centre. Here you can see displays and check the regular updates of whale sightings in the area.

Nearby is the Granite Island causeway, where the only horse-drawn tramway in Australia transports you to the island, where penguin tours are run during the evenings, allowing you to catch sight of the aquatic birds as they return from their day of fishing. The Colonial Motor Inn is at 2 Victoria Street, Victor Harbor. For bookings phone 8552 1822

Text and Photos supplied by Colonial Motor Inn