Mantra Geraldton

For a week-long stay, the price was really disappointing. Room service came on the fourth day, so only once that week, and the balcony looked onto the road and roadworks that started at 7am. The rooms need paint, new carpets and beds. We stayed here seven years ago and it was already a bit tired then, but it seems no money has gone into it while the rates still suggest something new. There's no smart TV or internet, so bring DVDs if you want something to watch. The pool was freezing, and the jacuzzi was closed off, torn up and full of sand. The outdoor barbecues were dirty and had no scraping tools. The kitchen had only the basics, with no sharp knife, oven trays, cheese grater, baking dish or scissors. I couldn't work out how they expected me to cut the tie straps off a new clothes airer still in its packaging in the wardrobe. It's okay for a night or two, but I wouldn't recommend it for longer. It doesn't feel like a four-star hotel, and I can't see how it earns that rating.

The filthy sofas, stained with what looked like old food, and the strong smell hit us as soon as we walked in. The master bedroom smelled heavily of cigarette smoke, and as I'm 30 weeks pregnant, having to sleep there was especially uncomfortable. There were several short dark hairs on the sheets, and the same hairs in the bath. The bathroom was in rough shape, with a rusted, deteriorating door and a rusty, grimy shower head. Carpets were dirty and badly stained too. We came back from Monkey Mia and usually stop in Geraldton to break up the drive. This time we chose the Mantra because the photos looked appealing, but the reality was very different. We left feeling uncomfortable and unhygienic. It's not worth the price or its four-star rating, and it needs a lot of updating and much better cleaning. I wish I'd checked the reviews first, since it sounds like others have had similar experiences.

The balconies are lovely and I really liked the sea view, but the rooms are worn and need updating. Carpet tiles were coming apart, exposing concrete, and the grout in the bathroom was black. The couches weren't comfortable either, and there's no smart TV. For the price, it's not what I'd expect. I'll try somewhere else next time.

For one night, the room was comfortable enough, with clean floors and useful basics like a fridge, kettle, toaster and dishwasher. I also liked having a balcony and Netflix on the TV. The fluorescent lights weren't pleasant, only one lamp worked, and even the TV's lowest volume was extremely loud. A few small fixes would make a short stay much better.