Mantra Sand Dunes

The only small thing we'd change is the lounge setup. There were three- and two-seater couches, so one of our six had to sit on a dining chair when we all wanted to relax together. Otherwise it was a comfortable, enjoyable visit, and we'd definitely return. Three middle-aged couples shared a three-bedroom beach house with a rooftop spa. It was very clean, including the BBQ, so we didn't have to clean it before using it. Check-in was quick and easy. I'd suggest calling the resort directly to book, as we found the rates better than third-party platforms. The beach was about a five-minute walk away, with a patrolled section a little further along. We fished, though got no bites this time, and spent time flying kites and boogie boarding. The resort pool was spotless and had a large, relaxing spa. The Main Street bakery has plenty of delicious options, and the 7-Eleven is handy for last-minute needs. Coles is a five to seven minute drive away in a busy little shopping centre. The airport is nearby, but we enjoyed watching planes come in low while swimming in the surf. The airport curfew seems to be around 10 pm, and it's not a really busy airport, so we weren't disturbed.

We loved our three-bedroom poolside villa. It had everything we needed, and the pool was easy to get to. The patrolled beach is also within walking distance. We'll definitely be back!

The management isn't keeping the rooms and services up to the mark, which should be a core responsibility. I can't really comment negatively on the pool or location, since staff or management were hardly involved there. Our bad experience started with reception staff not being available. The bedrooms were unpleasant, the blankets didn't have proper covers and felt very unhygienic, and the room carpet was dirty and smelled bad. The bathroom and shower area were also too small. There wasn't anything good to say about this resort.

We had a great stay, and the location made it easy to do lots nearby. Brisbane and Noosa were each about an hour and a bit away, and we hired a car for the week. During the day you can hear planes, but they stop around 7 pm. The rooms are on the older side but well maintained. We went in winter, and the heated pool and spa meant our little one swam every day. The pool is great, especially for ground-floor rooms that open straight onto it.