McLaren Vale Motel wins National recognition from guests

The McLaren Vale Motel has been awarded the coveted award for “Best Golden Chain Motel in Australia” as well as the State title.

The Award, made annually by Golden Chain is judged by Golden Chain guests, and is highly prized by moteliers in the chain, the largest in its category in Australia.

With more than 320 motels scattered throughout the Nation, the competition among Golden chain moteliers was fierce.

The McLaren Vale property is family owned and operated by Mike, Rae and Mark Vandeleur who have steadily improved the property ever since they built it in 1981 and has previously been recognised by the KESAB Tidy owns awards and has won various garden competitions.

It is located in the heart of the wine area with more than 50 wineries in close proximity and is an ideal location to explore them and the many art and craft stores, nurseries and museums in the area.

There are also many beaches nearby, including a nudist beach, and it’s only 70 kilometres from the Kangaroo Island ferry.

The Vandeleurs built the motel on their former farming property and have continually sought to improve it.

They built larger rooms at a time when most were going smaller with the on-going objective of creating a place where they would like to stay.

In late 2004 they opened 10 Deluxe Studio Apartments and two two-bedroom deluxe apartments to complement the existing 25 motel units. These new apartments were AAA rated 12 points short of five star, with full kitchen and laundry.

The apartments have a modern contemporary décor with painted feature walls and brushed chrome fittings.

Its many features include the delightful Palm Court where guests can sit in the palm-lined garden under large sails while sipping cappuccinos and to watch the superb sunset.

The swimming pool, refurbished in 2002, featured fibre optical lighting making the pool change colour six times a minute and a new solar heating system has been installed to provide all-year swimming potential.

When it first opened in 1981, the motel had 15 rooms and a conference room seating 18 people.

Today it has 25 units and 12 studio apartments featuring luxurious king size beds, stylish modern kitchen with glass splashback, stove dishwasher large fridge.

The bathroom/laundry of each apartment has a washing machine and dryer, frameless glass shower, separate toilet and a power adaptor.  But the feature is a luxurious large oval spa with 18 jets which fire water onto your body while you are surrounded by fibre optical lighting that change the colour of the bathroom six times a minute.

The McLaren Vale Motel recently reopened its refurbished family rooms and executive deluxe units now also with a modern contemporary décor.  The family rooms now have mini kitchenette, a large fridge, a Queen Bed and two single beds.

The Conference Room has also been refurbished with new tables, chairs, carpet and blinds, added under-floor power and installed hard wired and wireless broadband.

The family says their greatest achievement has been working together as a family for more than 26 years.

Guests at the motel say they have enjoyed “more than just a motel” and provided comments such as “it’s the little things they do” such as Milo with the tea and coffee or the alfresco tables and chairs outside the rooms for smokers, the car window washer to clean windscreens.

Each year the motel becomes an attraction in itself with a stunning Christmas display for a month that brings 20,000 plus visitors to the area.

Golden Chain Motor Inns General Manager, Bryan White, says the McLaren Vale motel has set a high standard for all motels in Australia.

“The Vandeleurs have worked hard to create an outstanding motel aimed directly at the enjoyment of their guests – and they have succeeded superbly,” he said.

Report by The Mole