Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviewsMoon River Motor Inn consistently receives praise for offering a tranquil and picturesque retreat nestled alongside the serene river in Kempsey. The location is a standout feature, providing guests with beautiful river views while maintaining easy access to the city center, local shops, and beaches. The spacious and clean rooms often enhance guests' experiences, with many enjoying direct access to captivating vistas right at their doorsteps.
Guest reviews frequently commend the on-site Chinese restaurant, which is noted for its delicious and flavorful meals, including popular dishes like beef noodles. The convenience of room service further enriches the dining experience, allowing guests to savor exceptional cuisine without leaving their rooms. Although minor inconsistencies regarding certain dishes were noted, the restaurant remains a favored aspect of the inn.
The accommodations at Moon River Motor Inn cater well to families and individuals seeking relaxation, offering large rooms equipped with essential amenities such as comfortable beds, refrigerators, and kettles. While the inn exhibits a dated appearance, the cleanliness and comfort provided often surpass typical standards for a country motel. Some maintenance and decor updates could further enhance the property.
The staff at Moon River Motor Inn are consistently lauded for their attentiveness and friendly demeanor, contributing significantly to the welcoming atmosphere. They are known for efficient service, addressing guest needs with kindness and offering helpful local advice.
The outdoor pool receives mixed reviews; some guests find it a refreshing retreat while others point out maintenance issues. Travelers are advised to check the pool's condition beforehand to ensure a satisfactory experience.
Overall, Moon River Motor Inn delivers a compelling blend of comfort, convenience, and scenic beauty, making it a popular choice for visitors seeking a serene getaway with attentive service and enjoyable dining options. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Motel with Free Wi-Fi
Located alongside the Macleay River, Moon River Motor Inn offers accommodations with free WiFi and views of the garden or river. The motel provides a seasonal outdoor pool, and guests can enjoy meals at the on-site restaurant.
Motel with Parking
Moon River Motor Inn offers onsite parking which includes space for extra cars, trailers, coaches, and light trucks. Car parking is conveniently located just outside the rooms.
Motel with Outdoor Pool
Features a seasonal outdoor pool situated by the Macleay River, providing a pleasant setting with a terrace and garden.
Motel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Accessible Motel
4-Star Motel
Room Types
Three-Bedroom ApartmentThis self-contained apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a separate living room. There is a 40-inch smart TV.
Family SuiteThis suite features garden views, 2 private bathrooms and 2 flat-screen TVs. Please note this room is not on the river-facing side of the property.
Two Room Studio ApartmentThis room features a kitchenette, dining area and 2 TVs. Please note this room is not on the river-facing side of the property.
Executive Queen Room with River ViewOffering lovely Macleay River views and an exit to the river bank, this room features a 32-inch TV, refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities.
Twin Room with River ViewOffering lovely Macleay River views, this room has a refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities.
Standard Queen RoomThe double room offers air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
Twin RoomThe twin room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.4
Good
Location
Nestled alongside the serene river, the Moon River Motor Inn boasts a location that consistently garners praise from guests. With its tranquil and picturesque river views, it offers a peaceful retreat within easy reach of Kempsey’s city center. The excellent location ensures guests are just a short drive from beautiful beaches and within walking distance of local shops and supermarkets, adding convenience to the charm of the setting.
The quiet atmosphere is complemented by the friendly staff, making it an ideal stopover point for those traveling between Brisbane and the southern destinations of New South Wales. The motor inn is well-known for its spacious and clean rooms, some offering stunning river vistas right at their doorstep. Guests find the property easy to locate, with ample parking available right in front of the units.
Adding to its appeal, the onsite Chinese restaurant provides the convenience of takeaways and room service, a welcome bonus for those arriving late. Ultimately, Moon River Motor Inn delivers a compelling package of comfort, convenience, and captivating views, making it a favored choice for visitors to Kempsey.
Breakfast
Moon River Motor Inn offers a mix of experiences when it comes to breakfast. Guests have pointed out the delight of enjoying a meal in the restaurant with a view of the river, and some appreciated room service offering good breakfast choices. The cooked breakfast received particular praise for being superb, and the kitchen staff were noted for their kindness.
However, availability and consistency seem to be areas for improvement. Some guests felt confused as breakfast was advertised but not available during their stay, and there were instances where a breakfast menu was not provided in the room. While some guests found the breakfast to be lovely, improvements could be made with simple additions like salt and pepper, and ensuring the dish temperature as certain meals were described as warm rather than hot. Although the restaurant was described as great, there were occasions when it was closed, affecting the breakfast experience. Despite these discrepancies, the staff were commended for their helpfulness, especially when guests needed to extend their stay.
Dinner
At Moon River Motor Inn, guests have frequently praised the on-site Chinese restaurant for offering a delightful dining experience. Many visitors were pleasantly surprised by the high quality of meals served, describing the dishes as fresh, tasty, and flavorful. The restaurant garnered attention for its delicious beef noodles and was often recommended for its lovely meals. Most reviews highlighted the convenience of having exceptional dining options without the need to venture out, with many guests appreciating the enjoyable room service available. While the majority found the restaurant to be a highlight of their stay — even claiming it was the best Chinese meal they'd had in a long time — there were occasional critiques, such as inconsistencies with certain dishes like salmon. Nonetheless, the picturesque setting by the river further complemented the overall pleasant dining atmosphere, making the restaurant a noteworthy feature for those staying at the inn.
Rooms
Moon River Motor Inn provides a charming and serene escape, set against a backdrop of beautiful river views that many rooms are lucky to enjoy. The accommodations are notably large and spacious, ideal for both families and those seeking a bit more room to relax. Guests repeatedly emphasize the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, highlighting modern touches in some areas, despite the inn's overall dated appearance.
Comfortable beds seem to be a consistent theme, ensuring a good night's sleep, complemented by essential room amenities like refrigerators and kettles. Additionally, many visitors appreciate the convenience and quality of the on-site restaurant, which serves exceptional Chinese cuisine, adding a delightful culinary touch to their stay.
While some may note the age of the building and a few maintenance issues, the inn's tranquil location and river views appear to more than compensate for these minor setbacks. For those seeking a quiet getaway with all the basics covered, Moon River Motor Inn offers a pleasant stay, enhanced by friendly staff and a picturesque setting.
Beds
Moon River Motor Inn garners positive attention for its notably comfortable beds. Guests consistently praise the beds for providing a cozy rest experience, with many referring to them as very comfortable or even extremely comfortable. Clean linen enhances the overall comfort, contributing to a pleasant stay.
Despite a few minor mentions of uneven and slightly older beds, the general consensus highlights the comfort that guests enjoy. The mattresses are commonly noted to be satisfactory, and rooms are described as nice and featuring all necessary items. Although a couple of guests found the pillows uncomfortable, the quality of the beds often compensates for this.
The ample space in the rooms complements the comfort of the beds, making one’s stay both restful and enjoyable. Overall, Moon River Motor Inn provides an inviting environment, largely thanks to the beds where guests can relax and unwind after a day of travel or activities.
Cleanliness
Visitors to Moon River Motor Inn can expect predominantly clean accommodations that often meet or exceed the typical standards of a country motel. The majority of guests found their rooms to be very clean with comfortable beds, adding to a generally pleasant stay. The staff also received positive mentions for their friendliness, contributing to the overall welcoming atmosphere of the inn. Notably, the hotel’s picturesque location on the river, and its proximity to the town, are appreciated aspects, offering guests quiet surroundings and easy access to local conveniences. Additionally, the on-site Chinese restaurant has been commended for its delicious food, providing a culinary highlight to many visitors.
While the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms are consistently cited, the inn's older decor and occasional maintenance issues were noted, suggesting a need for refurbishments in some areas. Some guests faced inconsistencies in cleanliness standards, pointing to areas such as the bathrooms that could benefit from more attention. However, these issues appeared to be exceptions amid overall positive feedback.
For those seeking a cozy stay in a serene location with attentive staff and satisfying dining options, Moon River Motor Inn seems to be a solid choice.
Staff
At Moon River Motor Inn, guests frequently describe the staff as attentive, friendly, and helpful. Across different areas of the hotel - whether at the reception, restaurant, or housekeeping - the team appears to be consistently eager to ensure guest satisfaction. Many reviews highlight the warm welcome and efficient check-in experience, with staff demonstrating a willingness to accommodate special requests like late check-ins. The management is noted for offering excellent advice about local attractions, and the approachable nature of the reception staff is often mentioned as a positive aspect of the stay.
While the majority of reviews reflect positively on the hotel's personnel, there have been some instances of less favorable experiences, such as rude or sarcastic interactions and issues with billing transparency. However, these seem to be isolated cases, overshadowed by numerous accounts of the staff's friendly demeanor and helpful attitude that make guests feel welcomed and cared for during their stays. Overall, the consistent theme in guest reviews suggests that Moon River Motor Inn's staff are a significant asset to the hotel, contributing to a generally pleasant and accommodating environment.
Pool
The pool at Moon River Motor Inn offers a mixed experience, reflecting both positive highlights and areas that require attention. Guests who visited during the summer often found the pool to be a refreshing escape, perfect for an afternoon swim, with some describing it as clean and enjoyable for kids. However, several reviews indicated less favorable conditions, mentioning instances where the pool was closed entirely or was unusable due to cleanliness issues. Reports of algae, debris like feathers and sticks, and the pool not being full contrasted with others who praised the pool's tidiness. Travelers may wish to inquire about the pool's status before their stay to ensure it meets their expectations.
Yes, Moon River Motor Inn has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Moon River Motor Inn.
No, Moon River Motor Inn doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Moon River Motor Inn.