Just went to Katherine for the weekend with a friend visiting from Queensland. I’m from Darwin and I booked a room here based on advice from a friend in town who said it was the pick of the bunch, as it was under new management and most of the rooms had been refurbished. Then I read the reviews and got scared. She reassured me, so we kept our booking. When we arrived, the place was fine and driving around town seeing what else was on offer, I think we made the right choice. There is not a lot of shiny new stuff in Katherine, it is all pretty basic. Anyway, the Manager was friendly, and we were given a refurbished room which had two new queen beds, new cupboards, side tables, beds etc. Didn't look like the bathroom had been totally refurbished, but the tiles in the shower looked new. Anyway, bathroom was clean and all linen, fresh and clean. Oh and the airconditioning was quiet and looked new to me. I didn’t go for a swim, but my friend did and said the pool was great. I did ask the manager as we checked out if she looked at trip advisor because there had been some horrible reviews to say the least. I told her we only stayed because a friend had recommeded it. Anyway, I didn’t go into any other rooms, but ours was fine and I would recommend this place in a heartbeat. Just make sure you ask for a refurbished room. And it was quiet, slept like a log.

Yep, we encountered bed bugs. No, they don't carry diseases but if they get in your suitcase and hitch hike home with you, they can be quite expensive to exterminate. We had just finished touring Katherine's Gorge and were resting in our room prior to going to sleep. I scooped up one of our two kids to move, when our oldest said "hey what are those bugs in our bed?" After a quick 5 minute investigation and googling pics on the iPhone, we confirmed bed bugs. Several nymphs crawling around on the sheets and a few full grown adults stuck to the mattress seams. Slept in the car with our belongings. Spoke to the manager in the morning. She felt truly sorry. Did not charge us for the room. Also said she would have gladly put us in another room if we had called. She also said she would have the room checked and take care of the situation. Given it was midnight, and our comfort level of sleeping in another room was low, we opted to stay outside. Due to the manager's positive response, we opted for a rating of 2 instead of a 1.

I had booked before I read the reviews and was a bit hesitant to stay after reading them. As I was working I asked my husband to check the room out carefully before we stayed there.

The room was very clean and roomy. It had all new furniture in it, as well as fluffy towels and a new shower curtain. It also had new, very quiet air conditioning. In a town like Katherine some of the places are not very quiet so it is important to note this.

The manager was not only friendly she was accommodating. Yes there were only little plastic spoons as another reviewer mentioned but when I went downstairs and asked for a couple of plates and some cutlery she gave it to me not only with a smile but also provided some napkins (serviettes) and asked if I'd like salt and pepper too.

As I had read the bad reviews I spoke to her for a little while and she is a new manager. The motel is presently being refurbished. As Katherine is an outback town it is not an easy process. However with a good friendly manager and staff ( I spoke to couple of the cleaners and other staff as well) it was a very pleasant place to be. While we were there they were working on getting the barbeque area into better shape again.

Would I recommend this place? Yes and I already have to others in Darwin.

We found this place to be old and tired and badly in need of some TLC! Reception was freindly and the bed was OK (just).
If you are thinking of stopping over in Ketherine on your way to Darwin - Don't bother. I would highly reccomend the Railway Resort in Pine Creek - not far away and a world away from Pine Tree Motel!