Reign Inn Newcastle — Hotel in Newcastle-Maitland

I recently stayed at Reign Inn in Newcastle. Prior to arrival, I received a friendly and informative late check-in text message, which provided clear instructions for accessing our room, Wi-Fi details, and parking information. Communication leading up to check-in was good, and I appreciated the effort put into making guests feel welcome.

However, there were some significant issues during the stay. Despite the text stating that managers would be available on-site until 7:00pm, the reception was locked and unattended when we arrived earlier than this. We had to retrieve our key from the safe ourselves. When I later raised this, the manager advised it was due to ANZAC Day – while understandable to observe public holidays, it would have been courteous to communicate this change ahead of time.

The next morning at 8:30am, we were woken by a loud knock at the door. The manager insisted on immediate payment, stating that the card on file had been declined. This was quite an unpleasant and unprofessional way to be approached, particularly given that checkout time was still several hours away. I promptly made payment at reception using the same card originally provided, with no issues.

The manager explained that early door knocks are standard practice as they have had guests leave without paying. However, in my extensive experience travelling regionally and rurally across Australia, I have never encountered this approach. It created an unnecessarily stressful and negative end to the stay.

In short, while the room itself was comfortable and the communication prior to arrival was positive, the management’s handling of payment issues and guest interaction left a lot to be desired. I would suggest future guests ensure payment is confirmed before arrival to avoid similar...

I did not complete my booking at Reign Inn. The property is advertised as 'pet friendly' ... well let me tell you... there is absolutely NOTHING friendly, pet or otherwise, about this place at all!!

Jill, the stand in manager, who was on reception when I was to check in, is without a doubt the rudest, most obnoxious hospitality worker I have ever encountered.

I arrived to check in and when it came up in conversation that I had dogs with me I was greeted with a scowl and loud 'huff' and told I had not booked a pet friendly room. I was surprised & disappointed by this but said that I was still ok with the booking as if necessary my dogs would very happily sleep in my vehicle. It was then that I was very rudely informed that the motel is in fact NOT PET FRIENDLY. Apparently there are 3 pet rooms and other than in those rooms pets are not welcome. I was then 'told' my confirmation email would have stated I needed to contact the motel to confirm pet details... not true.... there was nothing on my confirmation about pets at all! Happy to provide a screen shot of the email.

Due to the FALSE ADVERTISING by this establishment I was left without accomodation. Furthermore although they refused to honour my booking, Jill attempted to lay all blame with me and threatened me with no refund of the booking fee that had already been charged to my card. She did concede and refund monies paid, however her attitude was atrocious.

I have personally run my own pet friendly accomodation business and have stayed in a multitude of pet friendly rooms/houses and have an impeccable reputation. I am still in shock at blatant false advertising and the abominable way in which I was treated.

Do yourself a favour .... don't book or stay...

Awful experience with no communication and rude reception staff. They are unapologetic, unprofessional, and accuse guests of lying. Check other negative reviews about the rude and unhelpful staff. Save yourself stress; don't book there. For two days, I tried contacting the motel many times about my booking for late check-in information: 2 times via Expedia messages; 2 times via SMS directly responding to the motel reservation confirmation SMS – no response. Called their landline nobody picked up, left a voice message, and still no response or call back. Followed up by calling their mobile – nobody picked up, left a voice message, and still no response. Called again around 5pm on arrival day – got told by the female staff that she was too busy with other guests to send the information but would do so. Still nothing for hours, so called again to be told they sent the information and it was my fault that I didn't receive it. Finally received a text after 8pm on the arrival night. On our arrival, Billy from reception accused me of lying about not receiving information, threatened to cancel my stay and blacklist me on Expedia due to my frustration re no communication for two days despite my multiple attempts to contact them. Billy and his wife at reception were shockingly rude. Basic, smelly, small rooms. Gaps in windows and doors, no soundproofing of any noises from outside. We were in a no-pet area, but the next-door neighbours had a dog that barked during the night. It was a...