Silkari Mirage Newport

The stay was pleasant all around. The rain against the building bothered some of my colleagues, but I barely noticed it. Breakfast was very bare-bones, though, with no eggs or other items that might spoil. I guess there isn't enough business to make that worthwhile.

The room was a good size, clean and quiet, although the bathroom felt cramped. From the balcony, you can just make out Pittwater even without booking a view, and parking on site is free. The building is an oddly narrow shape along the street, so most rooms face the road or another building and only a few have a proper Pittwater outlook. The renovations are making a difference, and the Mirage is finally beginning to match its wonderful location. The Newport is just across the road for food, beer and lovely views.

We keep coming back for a week in January, and have done so for years. The new owners have done a great job with the renovations, which were well overdue and have really improved the place. Parking can be tricky with a large SUV, but we always manage to find a spot on the street. Newport is a great base for exploring the Northern Beaches, with a different beach to visit each day. The motel is across from one of Sydney's best pubs, with what may be Australia's most incredible beer garden, great for kids, families and teens. The location is hard to beat, and the motel is good value. It's a bit of a rough diamond, but we've made nothing but good memories here over the years.

The refurbished rooms were lovely, and all our requests from before arrival were taken care of. The Resort Manager and Luca looked after us exceptionally well. The location is terrific, with The Newport Hotel just across the road for meals and the bus to Palm Beach stopping right outside. A brilliant stay, thank you.