Astor Hotel Motel

It was a good location for a stopover when doing our long drive from Sydney to Geelong. It's a hop, skip and a jump from the highway. I totally loved the mid century exterior of the hotel. It's like  stepping back in time. Unfortunately the rooms don't have the same vibe and are in need of some TLC. Our room was very cramped with too much in such little space. The bathrooms need to be renovated as they are very dated. Unfortunately there is no counter or sink in the bathroom. You had to use a kitchen sink for washing your hands and brushing your teeth. There is a trendy bar and bistro at the hotel but we didn't eat there as we wanted something other than pub food that evening. It's just a stroll to lots of local restaurants. If you want to pick up road trip essentials Harris Farms and the grocery shops are close.

The small double bed provided was so soft I opted to use the spare single which was much more to my liking. Otherwise this quirky little hotel was well laid out good sized bathroom and as a bonus being part of a hotel there was a bistro which after a long wait when the food did come was delicious.

This is a review about a meal I have ordered at the eatery pub (club) Astor while on my way to Victoria. My friend and I thought that stopping for a meal at what I thought was glamorous venue will do a job for us transients. The meal was the special “ lamb shoulder “ for a $22.00 looked like the quick eat and go meal, no fuss and not to save time before finishing a long trip from Sydney. Waooo ! What a shock we got ? Gary slivers of sliced what was supposed lamb ( slippery, since ridden ) and you couldn’t cut on the plate with porous cavities throughout and if you catch a piece of a lamb with a normal kitchen knife, you will struggle to tear a piece off! Ate the vegetables, as I was hungry and left my friend to fend for the lamb slice kill. It is the same story. We thought we walk away and think of it as a gamble when you don’t know the venue! The bartender (a young fellow) was very professional and came to clear the plates and he asked how the experience was? He got the truth from myself, as I have told him that it was, no exagération, the worst dinner or meat cut I have ever been served! He apologised and we told him to take the comments to the chef! He asked us if he can do something to make it up for the experience and we thought a simple pizza tomato and cheese will do, to walk away at least with a good outcome! He came back later, saying that the chef, wouldn’t accommodate the special request and that he could offer something from the bar instead for us! We declined his good offer and we highly recommend this young bartender, as he really takes pride in this establishment! As to the manager or the chef, that he reported to, will get a “fail” mark from us and hope his time is very short at this club! There are people that still care and would do anything to further the goals for this massive and beautifully set up Bar and Eatery! Good luck with it all