Beach Club Resort

The rooftop was a nice surprise, with a plunge pool, BBQs and lots of tucked-away spots to sit. I booked late for one night and expected ordinary budget accommodation, but the stay was excellent. The whole resort has an unusual open layout, and the manager was helpful and pleasant. I reckon we’ll be back before long.

I won’t be coming back, even though I’m in the area often for work. The way reception handled checkout left a bad impression, and other reviews seem to mention inappropriate behaviour from reception staff too. I’d booked a family room with two bedrooms for myself and my adult son, and asked online for separate beds. At arrival I was told there’d be another $45 to set up a pull-out bed. I paid cash because I wanted a decent stay, but the family unit already had a double bunk bed and a double bed, while sheets and a blanket had been left on a sofa lounge. I took them to reception and asked for my $45 back. I wasn’t rude, loud, swearing or intimidating, and the receptionist refunded me. The next morning another receptionist said I’d upset the other girl. I said I didn’t know why, as I hadn’t been rude, but she kept being sassy and told me there was a way to go about things. Also, please stop charging $5 per person to use a threadbare old pool towel. It’s poor form and unusual. Maybe look at what competitors do. There are plenty of places to choose from here, and the attitude is something else. How about running a decent business without trying to scam customers and then blaming them? PN

Getting to shops and restaurants is easy because the resort sits in the heart of Mooloolaba. That was the best part of my stay, which was the most unpleasant I’ve had so far. The building and rooms feel badly out of date, with little sign of upkeep. The kitchen was underwhelming: just a stovetop without a range hood, and a microwave convection oven instead of a practical fan-forced oven for normal cooking. The bathroom was cramped, with the laundry squeezed into the remaining space. I had to hold my breath to use the toilet, which sits right behind the door. There’s a large doorstop there too, and you’d want to watch your toes and heels. The shower was the best part of the bathroom, with an oversized head, an extendable hose and plenty of hot water. The sound carries badly. I could hear every footstep and cupboard opening and closing. Furniture scraping started at almost the same time each night, with pauses, and went on for several minutes. I raised the strange noise with management, but it continued. I also asked for more laundry liquid and never saw any. Management’s attitude seems to match the building’s decline, and over time it could be part of its downfall. There are much nicer places for the same money, where you get a smile too.

We felt relaxed and comfortable in our clean, spacious apartment. Shops and restaurants were an easy short walk away, and the rooftop pool area was amazing. Perfect for us.