Meramie Motor Inn — Hotel in Albury

I booked and paid online for this mistake of an experience online at 9:20pm on the night of check-in. The property advertised a 2 br apartment to sleep 4. The booking was confirmed and a message received saying that if check-in was after 8pm reception would be closed and a key would be left out. No key left. So I messaged on the booking channel that we wanted to check in now. A sign on the door with a mobile number said call if reception unattended. I rang the number and received the rudest response I have ever received from a night clerk. The man abused me for waking them up said they would be there soon. An old man appeared and continued his tirade. We should have just left, but the family with children needed a place to stay at 10:15pm and no other booking on the stop on the road from Sydney to Melbourne. The apartment was not available. I was told the man had extended the stay of the previous guest that day and not updated the website availability. He put us in a lesser room which was not the end of the world, and put the extraordinary greeting incident behind us. Anyway, 2 evenings later I get a response to the message on the booking channel which I will quote for complete accuracy: "What a vey rude person you are! “Wanting to check in now” is not conducive to a response worthy of a reasonable guest. Our terms clearly state our reception closes at 8pm but you thought you could ignore that and be as rude as possible. Not fair and we hope you don’t bother to return because we and every other motel here don’t need your negativity or rudeness."

Just to be clear, the booking was accepted and paid for after the close of reception, but there was no trigger warning on making a 10pm check-in or that it would prompt retaliatory communications from the night clerk 2 nights later (also after reception close!)

Most concerning was that the website advertised specific Covid-19 protections, one of which was that they claimed to leave 72 hours between one occupant and the next. However, that representation did not match with what the night clerk told me was his excuse why the room was not available - he told me that the room was not available as there were guests in the room who had extended their stay by one further night and that was the reason he could not honour the booking. If that was true then there was never any 72 hour gap being left between gusts occupying the same room. That made me wonder if the other so-called COVID-19 precautions were simply a marketing statement not a reality. Following the posting of this review the owners have doubled down, sending me emails making reference to my wife and children being of asian (my children are Australian), me being "portly" accusing me without any foundation of keeping a dog in the room and telling me to "eff off". They still have not refunded the difference between the two bedroom apartment and the single room. I notice that there is another review on this property, unconnected to me, where the reviewer says they owners bullied him in response to a...

The Meramie Motor Inn in Albury is an extraordinary find that delights on multiple levels, combining artistry, comfort, and meticulous attention to detail. This is far more than just a place to rest—it's a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity.

First and foremost, the brickwork is a masterpiece. Constructed by one of the region's most talented Greek bricklayers, the walls of the Mermaid Motor Inn are a testament to dedication and skill. Every brick is laid with impeccable precision, forming parallel patterns so flawless they could only have been achieved through years of painstaking love and care. It’s rare to see construction elevated to an art form, but here, the brickwork alone is worth the visit. Walking around the property feels like stepping into an architectural gallery, a fitting tribute to the Mediterranean heritage it draws from.

The management at the Mermaid Motor Inn deserves high praise for their thoughtful curation of the inn’s aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from the romantic history of the Aegean Sea—an enduring symbol of passion, adventure, and mythology—they have adorned the rooms and common spaces with captivating artwork. Each piece evokes the beauty and spirit of this iconic Greek body of water. Particularly enchanting are the textured artworks above the bed heads, which add a layer of depth and elegance, perfectly complementing the timeless appeal of the brickwork.

Adding to the charm is the quiet location of the inn, providing a serene escape from the bustle of everyday life. It’s the ideal setting for unwinding and appreciating the artistry around you. The rooms are not only tastefully decorated but also equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including enormous large-screen televisions. These screens have a unique feature: the ability to generate stunning Mandelbrot-style artwork. Watching these intricate, butterfly-inspired fractals unfold is a mesmerizing experience—a modern nod to the chaotic beauty of nature, juxtaposed against the structured perfection of the brickwork.

Every detail at the Mermaid Motor Inn has been carefully considered, from the Greek-inspired themes to the modern comforts. The management’s commitment to excellence is evident in every corner of the property, ensuring a stay that is both relaxing and inspiring. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a lover of fine craftsmanship, or simply in search of a tranquil retreat, the Mermaid Motor Inn is a destination that will exceed your expectations.

Highly recommended for anyone visiting Albury—this is more than a place to stay; it’s an...

disappointing!

First off the room was immaculately clean. Decor is dated, couch looked like a dog had been sleeping on it.

On hotels.com the motel boasts a free hot breakfast, free wifi, spa, sauna, pool, and children’s activities.

Of these perks only the free wifi and the pool are available.

No children’s activities No sauna (the door was bolted shut) No spa (the spa was empty and stank), it could be argued the spa and sauna were closed due to covid restrictions, but the signs on both facilities were old and faded, looking as if they’d been there for years... (Edit: we were told that the sauna wasn’t working when the current owners purchased the place - this could be a situation of hotels.com not updating the site info that had changed over the years - but 4 years seems a long time to have not addressed this).

Note: regarding the spa: other than social distancing, there is no covid restrictions attached to the use of spa facilities. meaning that with most small spas only one person may use them under covid restrictions unless from the same household.

We only found out after booking that the “free hot breakfast” that’s on hotels.com and the google page (which says free Continental breakfast); was not free and we would have to pay extra for it - we only came to know this from receiving an email from hotels.com after paying for the booking.

Insultingly we actually booked this one for the use of amenities - we don’t mind paying extra (or even double) for the use of these amenities either, as it’s not the price which is the problem here, even tho it’s very affordable, we are annoyed that we feel deceived about the perks of the motel.

Disappointing

Edit: I have now also been bullied on facebook into changing my review by one of the owners. i have made some changes to reflect the truth of our experience rather than an emotional response which i...