Let me get one thing straight from the start - my rating is for really great value for money, I'd hate to imply that this is any sort of 4 star property.

That said, the SiestaVilla motel is an unexpectedly cosy and welcoming place for the money - I doubt that there is another place as comfortable and clean reasonably close to the snow.

We paid A$100/night for a room with a queen bed and a double sofa bed. The rooms have recently been renovated and are a notch up from your normal motel room. They are bright, reasonably large, clean and pleasantly decorated.

There are tea/coffee making facilities, a fridge, plenty of storage space and good heating. There is a decent TV but no phone in the room (they presumably assume that we all have mobiles nowadays - fair enough). The bathrooms are still basic but functional - I suspect that these will be the next on the list for a makeover.

The great pleasure about this place is the lounge and bar area. They have several blazing woodstoves around with lots of comfortable seating, a well stocked bar and large flatscreen TVs. Just what you want after your day on the slopes.

SiestaVilla is run by a couple of ex-world-cup skiers from Liechtenstein who are bringing a real sense of Europe to Jindabyne. They are absolutely charming and all of the staff we met were friendly and welcoming.

East Jindabyne is about 10 minutes drive from the centre of town so you'll need your car if you're going to go out in the evening. Their own restaurant has Swiss specialities like rosti and raclette as well as the usual steaks etc. - tasty and filling but the restaurant area is a little lacking in atmosphere.

Breakfasts are very basic but good value. Simple cereals, toast and bacon/sausage/beans/egg. Decent fuel for a chilly day.

I unhesitatingly recommend the SiestaVilla as great value and will return there. It is far from perfect, but at $100/night in the ski season you won't get better.