Amaroo On Mandalay Hotel

We chose this place for a 50th birthday event, but weren't told when booking that the bar and restaurant weren't open. They'd changed hands and apparently didn't have a liquor licence. The pool area was beautiful, and there was a BBQ area. The place itself was clean and tidy.

The woman at reception was extremely rude and seemed to have no people skills. She barely grunted when we arrived, then kept asking who we were and what we were doing whenever we came and went during the day. I'm not sure what changed since our last stay. Kate, who used to be there, was lovely and friendly.

The room was clean and had plenty of things for cooking, but I was planning to eat at the restaurant and had brought no food. After walking from the jetty, I had to go back to IGA for food and milk. They provide everything for making coffee except the milk, and there was no restaurant or Wi-Fi despite what the site advertised. There is a large building by the pool that would be great as a restaurant or bar, but it wasn't open. I'm not sure why the room cost so much. Nelly Bay may not have many other places to book, but think carefully before paying a couple of hundred for this.

The grounds and pool are the main draw at Amaroo. There's plenty of wildlife, including rock wallabies and curlews, and the place is quiet, with the impressive rocky hills all around. It's still only a short walk or drive to the ferry. Our room was clean and had recently been improved, though it was motel style. The back veranda looked over rough bush, but the view was nice.