Based on the reviews here and wanting an alternative to a chaotic stay in a double room at the YHA, we booked for a single night at Sky Rider; I knew it was basic and came expecting a simple but clean room and a quiet night's rest.

Well there were nice little touches like the pictures on the wall, the heater and electric blanket and very white sheets. But the devil is in the details and they really let this place down.

The smell of cleaning products was so strong that it literally stopped us both dead at the door. We're outdoorsy types and happy to rough it but having to leave the windows and door open to try and vent the fumes when its bordering on sub-zero outdoors is not fun. Unfortunately when its so pungent its literally burning your eyes, you don't have much of a choice. The sad part was that the lady at the front desk didn't seem surprised and didn't make any apologies for it.

The shower was literally pitiful, I'd read the reviews and thought maybe they were exaggerating but it turns out they weren't. I was able to dry myself with the towel while standing under it, which I would've found funny if I hadn't been for a hike that afternoon and been looking forward to more pressure than you get out of a solar-bag shower. Forget being able to wash your hair in the shower, you'll honestly stand a better chance using the sink, its literally that small a flow.

Final annoyance was minor but just felt like the straw breaking the camel's back; the car park spots for each room are one over from the rooms they're for, so when the guy next door left at 4am, he put his headlights on and straight into our room (a mere 1m from the window). Had they spread the guests out instead of putting us side by side this would've helped stop this from happening (and the place would've been less than 20% full so it would've been possible).

So while the location is quiet, the sheets are clean and the rooms are cheap, you need to ask yourself if you want a hot shower with *any* pressure behind it, whether you mind being woken up by other guests headlights shining directly into your room and whether you can stand a room with cleaning product smells that will at best, give you a headache and at worst, leave your eyes red and watering.

I'm sure other guests will have a different experience but I'll openly state that I came with low yet simple expectations but was left sadly dissapointed :-(

good room for the price quiet and cozy but in winter the water saver showers are a pain just dribbles on you and its freezing will stay elsewhere next time but only because of the showers

l recently took my family (2 children and husband) to the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba. We stayed in a family room at the motel which was clean and well stocked with tea and coffee, milk, biscuits and even a toaster which was so handy for the busy mornings with the children.
All the staff were so friendly from reception to the cleaners, we felt so welcome.
We had breakfast in the dinning room on Saturday morning with its lovely log fire which was blazing and keeping the dinning room lovely and warm and provided a lovely mountain feel... we loved it.
We will definitely be returning to the Sky Rider we had a beautiful weekend and would thoroughly recommend this Motel...

I stayed in this motel with my partner for a weekend getaway to see the sights of Katoomba. The room was first and foremost very clean! it had a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities with REAL milk supplied on check in!!!
The reception staff were so welcoming with a great knowledge of the local area, I received a map of the area which was very helpful..
I would definitely stay here again this time for a little longer as there is so much to see in Katoomba..