Bluewater Harbour Motel

Traveling with family and an elderly disabled parent. Had booked two rooms (one disabled) for that night. Turned up at 11:30 am not wanting to check in, but just wanting to leave a wheelie walker there as we had a full boot with that and the wheelchair (we needed only the wheelchair). Office was empty, so I ran the bell once then twice. Still no answer, so I called out “Hello” once, then twice. Bleary-eyed owner came out and started to berate me about how this was also his private residence and he doesn’t appreciate people yelling out so loud that he can hear them over his headphones. He keeps on blathering on about the difficulties of running a business in hospitality and I should’ve called if I want early check in. I try to tell him that I don’t want to check in, I just want to leave the wheelie walker, but he just keeps complaining about how I am causing him problems by being there “before check in”. When I point out that the sign out the front says “24 hour booking”, he says “Do you want to stay here?” in a voice that suggests he’ll just cancel our reservation. I’d love to have just walked out, but he’s got my credit card details and could just say I’ve canceled too late for a refund. Plus I’ve got an elderly parent who needed the disabled room. My wife comes in to see what’s taking so long, and in the rudest voice he tells her to wait outside. I’ve never ever experienced such unbelievable behavior outside of watching “Fawlty Towers”. I was verbally abused and made to feel not at all welcome. The only reason we stayed was it wouldn’t have been worth further interactions with him if he’d charged us for a late cancellation. Also, as another reviewer pointed out, the shower curtain in the disabled room is too short so water goes everywhere. I gave 1 star because the rooms were clean and the cleaning staff were very pleasant.

Glowing reviews of this motel indicated top quality accommodation. Reception on our arrival was not very welcoming but we parked near our room and found it to be large, with standard facilities. The room was a bit tired, damage to paintwork and grubby shower grouting obvious. Our stay was satisfactory but not the high standard other reviewers have found. If the room was maintained to a higher standard it would be well rated as it’s close the the centre of Bowen and the motel basics are sound. Hopefully these comments will be received positively by the motel. Bowen is a lovely town.

Thank you Simon for the best hospitality services ever received next time we stop in Bowen we will definitely stay again good luck to both you and john. The service was 5 star the room was immaculate and the buckets of ice and nibblies were much appreciated and I highly recommend this motel to anyone

Clean and comfortable rooms. The pool is great for families with lots of pool toys to play with. Free and fast internet with a smart TV in the room. Friendly staff. Quiet rooms. Undercover parking. Would stay there again when going through Bowen

Great location. Extremely clean spacious rooms, with great amenities. And most of all fantastic owners, very helpful and steered us to the perfect dinner venue. Thank you for our short but sweet stay. I think we will be back we loved the area.

This relatively small motel is well appointed with a lot of thought going into the furnishings and even the number and positioning of power points. Beds are large and comfortable and the television in our room was huge. Perhaps their main assets are the owners Kim and Debbie and their wonderful staff who make you feel more like a member of the family than a guest in their motel.