C Mandurah

The palms on the patio make a relaxing sound when it's windy, and the place stays at a good temperature on hot days, being close to the private yacht bays. It's a quiet, comfortable spot with air-conditioning. You can go crabbing, and there's a fairly big swimming pool with a nice roof. The promenade, restaurants, beach and shops are nearby.

The spa saved our Easter weekend, but for the price I expected more attention to detail. We booked room 36B through booking.com. The room is old and not very clean, with minimal toiletries, nowhere to hang wet clothes, no towel rails, and not even a string in the bathroom. I had to wipe a thick layer of dust off the outdoor table. The kitchenette is tiny. I wouldn't recommend it at this price. The rooms clearly need updating.

The location is fantastic, and it's a nice, quiet place with clean, tidy rooms, though they're a little dated. I had a small downstairs single room with an ensuite and a leafy garden view, but it was a bit dark. The bathroom exhaust fan was noisy, and you hear it too if someone uses the dryer outside the room. Parking is ridiculous, so I'd look elsewhere if you have a large SUV or 4WD.

We were pleasantly surprised on our first visit to Mandurah. Our studio was clean and cosy, suitable for a couple, and reasonably priced just before the Christmas rush. Ground level worked well for us. I'd suggest a garden-facing room, and one nearer the front if you want a quieter spot away from the pool. The gardens are well kept, and there's a BBQ area, pool and spa. Each room has one parking space, though it could be tight for bigger cars. Entry and exit are secure with a fob gate. The reception staff and other guests were friendly. It seems suitable for tradies on short stopovers as well as couples, families and small groups. We'd recommend it and plan to return next year.