We had rather a strange start at the Caboose. Checked in no problem but when my husband went to wash his hands he discovered there was no plug for the basin in the bathroom. Maureen told him they’d disabled the mechanical plugs because people got confused with them and broke them. Doesn’t seem to happen in any other motel/hotel we’ve used ! Anyway she rootled around in another unit and came back with one but that was the wrong size so she said she’d have to get on from the hardware store and it might not be the same day. In the end she must have managed because there as one when we returned from shopping. She did seem to think we were a bit odd for wanting one – ah well, each to their own.

The rooms were what we’d describe as surface clean - not deep clean. The dust/grease on the cooker extractor hood was a bit yucky. The kitchenette was a bit minimalist, just a small hob with a couple of burners, a sink, fridge/freezer, microwave and coffee machine. The cooking equipment was very limited and all needed a good clean before we used it. One of the glass saucepans was so chipped we didn’t dare use it. The crockery and cutlery we reckon was bought from a thrift shop – nothing matched and mostly chipped and cracked. There were two glasses, both about pint size which made for interesting wine consumption ;-)

On our second evening the gas burners failed to light and we had to bum a light off a smoker standing outside another unit – there was nobody at reception. We didn’t think much of it and bought a lighter the next day but on returning to the room there was a very noticeable smell of gas - we were surprised that the cleaner hadn’t noticed. Nobody at reception again but we managed to catch up with Terri (the motel’s greatest asset) and she said it was the pilot lights gone out and that it happened all the time. She gave us a proper long nosed lighter and we had to use that a few more times during the stay.

The décor is tired and there are too many dust-traps scattered around – superfluous fake flowers and other trinkets.

OK, those were the downs, the plusses were that Maureen (owner) gave us a discount as we stayed for 5 nights and with the kitchenette this made it a reasonably priced stay. The location is fine and is perfect for self-catering as the City Market is almost opposite. As I said, Terri is the motel’s best asset, she’s friendly and helpful.

Don’t think we’d return despite the price though.