We had our little dog with us so a pet friendly room was essential. There was a food bowl with a treat for her in the room - great! The motel is at least 50 years old as we both remember it as kids growing up here. Our room was scrupulously clean (some signs of structural water leaks in the bathroom walls notwithstanding). The staff were great also. They were very understanding when flooded roads meant we had to postpone our stay several times until the highway opened. We were very appreciative of this generosity.

Pet friendly room is closest to the highway and some road noise is audible occasionally though certainly not enough to be a concern

The welcoming smile and Hello I received from the reception desk by the staff made me feel very welcomed. Our room was nice, comfortable, clean and a great size. We had dinner at their restaurant, and the food was yummo and such a relaxing environment and the restaurant staff were lovely. We thought it was awesome how there was a smoker's deck in the middle of the car park with bar stools and bar size tabling around the edge. And I'm not a smoker, but what a great idea to talk to other people or even to make new friends. And being right on the busy highway, we didn't hear none of the traffic at all. Definitely highly recommend.

The only thing i would of preferred different in our room was to have the vanity unit in the bathroom and not in the bedroom area. But that's my only tiny little sook lol

The bed was perfect as far as comfort goes. It was well thought out (the room) for travelers as far as technology goes as there were sufficient power outlets for charging laptops etc. Love the sachets of milo....something we personally haven't seen as its normally just coffee and tea. Oh bonus been able to order breakfast (as long as you put in order the night before up to 8pm). There is also a restaurant on site and takeaways walking distance and a IGA not far away too.

Only a couple of things really. The body moisturizer was emptied (as a ex cleaner myself, we always had to check the products to see if they needed topping up) and when you used the shower, it was like it was going to flood but luckily it didn't. Not that this worried me, but most motels have hairdryers and this one didn't (again no real biggie)

Our favourite in the Mackay region! Lady at the reception has excellent customer service and also greeted us with a big smile. Buildings and facilities, well maintained. Exceptionally clean, both exterior and interior. Clean linens, towels and face washers. The extra practical things also made our stay comfortable, like sufficient shampoos, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, tissues, teas, coffees, milos, biscuits, coffee cups, teaspoons, cold glasses in fridge, complimentary bottled water, cattle, microwave, iron, ironing board, tv and cold air conditioners in both rooms, and the large rubbish bin was handy to have. Comfortable beds. And the dining chairs firm for my teenage boys to sit on. Clean pool and restaurant on site was a bonus. There were no allocated car parking but can park anywhere inside the hotel vicinity. You also need to bring plates, bowls, and knives if you’re planning to eat inside the motel room. We will definitely be back! Thank you Alara!

Not complaining just suggesting a small brush and a dustpan.

The rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean. The staff are amazing especially Natalie and Scott and so friendly and helpful. Location is central and walking distance to food outlets, IGA, post office etc The pool is welcoming, refreshing and clean. Jimmy D's did amazing food and reasonably priced. Definitely will recommend Alara Motor Inn to all family & friends. It's been an absolute pleasure staying here. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There is nothing that I didn't like

I have stayed here on quite a few occasions and each time with my dog or dogs. The rooms never disappoint with bed comfort and cleanliness, staff also are friendly and welcoming even since the management change I have not noticed the any change in the motel at all. I had dinner at the Restaurant and again was very happy with my choice and that the restaurant is on site as it saves having to drive any further to get food.I wish the beds weren't so comfortable as it makes it hard getting up to hit the road in the morning hahaha

Could I suggest adding in outside power points at each room due to more electric cars and mine is both electric and petrol and this would save me having to run an extension lead in through the door.

Clean, welcoming, after hours key pick up was easy, parking right outside the door. Microwave and bar fridge in room. Walking distance to restaurants. There is an on-site restaurant. The spa bath was an absolute treat! Full sized hand/body gel and lotion, also shampoo and conditioner available. Comfy bed.

Although there was a microwave in the room, there were no microwave dishes, crockery or cutlery (besides mugs for coffee/tea and teaspoons). We did however manage to get some from the on-site restaurant so that we could prepare and eat our microwave meals.

Was close to the city

The stay was good, you are given a variety of warm drink sachets, plenty of soap, shampoo and conditioner. The bed was comfortable with extra pillows Incase you need and there is a good functioning aircon. A modern tv was in the room which allowed you to watch Netflix, Stan, YouTube etc. Some other feedback, the room we were put in was in a dark corridor so did not get much natural light. Room was also quite small and didn’t have cutlery or ceiling fan. We did book with short notice though so thinking this may have been why.

Modern apartment, comfortable beds, ample undercover parking, friendly staff, modern bathroom, nice long bench & chairs to eat at, new full water bottles & milk in the fridge, even had 2x Milo sachets! Thank you so much!!

Freezer too small so didn’t freeze esky ice-bricks overnight, but we think the previous guest must have turned the internal thermostat to off deliberately, so inside the fridge was hot when we arrived. Simply turning it on worked. (We believe it may have been a previous child guest?!). One thing that maybe reconfigured is the electricity socket near the beds in the second room - they were at the end of the bed, behind the bedroom door not near the bedside table, (only making it awkward to reach the charging mobile phone.

I have lost count how many times I have stayed at Alara including a week when the highway was cut by flood. I would never consider staying anywhere else in Mackay unless they were out of pet friendly rooms. I always travel with my dogs and Alara have a water bowl as well as there is always a treat for the girls. As always the food in the restaurant was to expectation and value for money.

There was nothing to complain about or anything that could be better.