38 Reviews
Ellen Hotel
Port Pirie|0.1km from Port Pirie Railway Station Museum
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.
