Bay Hotel Motel

The pet policy. The Bay Hotel Motel in Bonnells Bay is one of the few pet-friendly stays on this side of Lake Macquarie, and the policy is straightforward: designated pet-friendly rooms, a $25 per-pet cleaning fee, and a refundable $200 damage deposit returned at checkout if the room is left in order. Dogs must stay on a lead outside the room, and can't be left on beds or furniture or taken into the pool area. Ring ahead to book one of the pet rooms specifically, they're limited.

• Pet-friendly rooms only, request at booking
• $25 cleaning fee per pet
• $200 refundable deposit, returned if there's no damage or extra cleaning needed
• Lead required outside the room
• No pets on beds/furniture or in the pool area

The place. It's a casual 3-star motel attached to a working local pub, with a sports bar and onsite restaurant, so the vibe is friendly and unpretentious rather than boutique. There's a large grassed area on site for on-lead walks, plus a BBQ and picnic area right outside the rooms with bins for waste. Good, no-fuss basics rather than luxury extras.

Location and nearby. The motel sits on Fishery Point Road with free on-site parking, an easy drive off the Sydney/Newcastle routes. Lake Macquarie's shoreline is close by for a lakeside walk, and there are smaller local parks scattered through Bonnells Bay and neighbouring Morisset if your dog needs to stretch out beyond the motel lawn.

Who it suits. Good for a practical overnight stop with the dog rather than a destination stay in itself, families passing through the Lake Macquarie area, or anyone wanting a straightforward pub meal and a bed without hunting for a rare pet-friendly room.

When to go. Book early, especially around school holidays and long weekends when the pet-friendly rooms sell out first. Confirm the current fee and deposit amount at booking, as motel policies like this shift over time.

Sources

• Pet Friendly Accomodation - Bay Hotel Motel · bayhotelmotel.com
• Lake Macquarie Accommodation - Bay Hotel Motel · bayhotelmotel.com
• Bay Hotel Motel Pet Stay Policy · cdn.prod.website-files.com
• Bay Hotel Motel in Bonnells Bay, Australia · letsbookhotel.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.