The Monty in Anglesea proves a motel can still feel like a proper destination.

After a couple of days of cliffs, koalas and glass-walled pods deep in the Otways, rolling into Anglesea and checking into The Monty felt like a change of gear. This isn’t a motel in the beige-carpet, ice-machine-in-the-corridor sense of the word – it’s a full retro reinvention, and it was exactly the kind of stylish stay I needed. 

Where is The Monty?

The Monty sits right on the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, directly opposite the riverside boardwalk, with the Anglesea River on one side and an easy stroll to Main Beach, local shops and cafes on the other. The location does a lot of the work for you – you can walk to the water, wander into town for dinner, or just stay put by the pool, and you’re still perfectly placed to keep pushing on toward Torquay or back the other way toward the Otways.

What is the style and character of The Monty?

This is a Palm Springs-inspired boutique motel, and it commits to the bit completely. Think desert-toned palettes and playful, colourful artwork against a backdrop of vintage-meets-modern design – built for people who want their accommodation to have a bit of personality rather than just being a place to crash. It’s nostalgic without feeling over the top; there’s a real warmth to the design that makes you want to actually spend time there, not just sleep and go.

What facilities does The Monty have? 

The centrepiece is the outdoor pool, styled with breeze blocks and desert-inspired plants, which is exactly where you want to be on a warm Great Ocean Road afternoon. Beyond that, there’s an outdoor lounge area, EV chargers, onsite parking, and daily housekeeping. The rooms come with Smart TVs and Chromecast, complimentary wi-fi, and there’s breakfast available if you’d rather not head out first thing. It’s a compact property (16 rooms in total), so it never feels like you’re competing for space at the pool or anywhere else. 

What are the rooms like at The Monty? 

Rooms come in King or Twin configurations, all individually styled with that same vintage-meets-modern sensibility – think a copy of Australian Traveller magazine, curated artwork (commissioned locally from That Paper Joint in Brunswick), blackout drapes, minibars and espresso makers. Ours felt fresh and considered rather than cookie-cutter, with details that make you actually want to photograph your room instead of just dumping your bags and leaving.  

What is the dining like at The Monty? 

The Monty’s onsite dining comes via Nina, a coastal Californian-Mexican cantina serving up an all-day menu of shareable dishes, seafood and house-made queso fresco (and it’s entirely gluten free, which is a nice touch if that’s a consideration for your group). We had dinner there, and it hit exactly the right note after a long day on the road – casual, flavourful and made better by the setting. 

Does The Monty have access for guests with disabilities?

Yes – accessibility has been a clear consideration in the renovation rather than a box-ticking exercise. The Monty offers dedicated DDA-compliant King rooms with adaptive features and roll-in showers, designed with the same care and style as the rest of the property. It’s worth reaching out directly if you have specific requirements, but the accessible rooms here are a proper, thoughtfully designed option rather than a single afterthought room tacked on the end of a corridor. 

Is The Monty family-friendly? 

It can work well for families, particularly with the outdoor pool as an easy drawcard for kids, and the walkable location near the beach and boardwalk. That said, the overall feel leans slightly more toward couples and friends after a stylish, relaxed night away – it’s compact so it suits smaller groups best. Families are welcome, but if you’re after a big resort-style family setup, this one’s more boutique than that. 

The verdict

The Monty is proof that a motel stay doesn’t have to mean settling. It’s stylish without trying too hard, well positioned for exploring Anglesea and the surrounding coast, and the combination of that pool, the riverside cantina and considered rooms makes it a proper stop on the Great Ocean Road itinerary rather than just a place to sleep between destinations. 

Details

Best for: Couples, friends or small groups after a stylish, laid-back stay right on the Great Ocean Road, with easy access to the beach and river. 

Address: 109 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, Vic 

Phone: (03) 5263 1472 

Cost: From around $150 per night depending on room type and season.