Amaroo On Mandalay

Recent Reviews: 131

• User:Janet W

  Trip type: Friends getaway

  Hotel in tropical gardens … with wallabies!

  14 Mar 2025

  A couple of essentials to begin with … in the hot summer months, the reception closes at 5pm, and the bar/restaurant is only open at the weekends. So don’t expect to enjoy a drink and dinner by the pool. And you’ll have to open a key safe, read the instruction me then take yourself off to the room with all your luggage.Also the island has only one taxi on duty in the evening, and the driver did meet our ferry. But again, don’t bank on transport. It’s a good 15-20 minute walk to the hotel, not so great if dragging your luggage after you. And don’t believe the hype about the bus service. It’s very infrequent, and you’ll waste a lot of time sitting and waiting. If you can afford it, book a hire car in advance. The car hire companies, like Best of Magnetic, are based just opposite the ferry terminal.We really liked this hotel though. Yes, it could do with a bit of modernisation, especially the dull reception area, but our room (140, recently refurbished, we were told) was fine, with a little terrace overlooking the fabulous tropical gardens. Nice bathroom with good shower. We did also have one meal at the restaurant and it was very good. On other night we ate at the Granite place at the Road junction and also enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Bikini Cafe (more of a big pub), in Arcadia.If you like nature, Amaroo on Mandalay really is the place for you … wallabies, cockatoos and those long legged curlew like birds … a plenty. The hotel has 10 acres of garden and backs onto the National Park.One thing we didn’t like … the room isn’t serviced during your stay. So I cleaned the bathroom floor myself. I was suffering under the impression that I’d paid for someone else to do that. Also when we reconfigured the room to give ourselves more space, it was clear that no one had moved the furniture for a long time … we found loads of dust and a (thankfully) very dead cockroach. Yuk.

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• User:paulwW912NN

  Trip type: Family

  Seen better days.

  19 Jan 2025

  Look, this place has seen better days. Much as seems to be the way in Queensland's North coast islands. The rooms were well appointed and air-conned and had been renovated since our last stay. That was really the only positive. The resort is spread out amongst tropical gardens, which are well kept, however the sprinkler system often prevents you from using the paths. The pool is large but has seen better days with grouting missing around the edges. Reception is a minimalist affair both in terms of first impressions and reception staff. Pleasant, but really didn't want to be there. Car park is pretty awful, seems to contain a range of discarded cars with mould, peeling paint and weeds growing under them (not a good impression). The restaurant was closed, temporarily info on which was not provided when booking - which meant a walk into town for food. Wifi only in reception (if you have kids that can't live without it). This place has lost its charm and we concluded would be our last visit having come here since 2011. Think carefully before booking and weight up price and amenities.

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• User:AmandaPanda916

  Trip type: Family

  OK for one night

  22 Dec 2024

  The room itself was quite nice, spacious and clean. No interactions with staff as reception was closed during check in and check out. The actual grounds and pool area are in need of a tidy and clean. A little TLC is definitely needed as it appears rundown and messy in places. The smashed windows in reception are also not a good look. If you are looking for somewhere nice, probably look elsewhere.

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• User:Anonymous A

  Trip type: Solo travel

  Nice place lousy attitude

  07 Oct 2024

  The only unpleasant experience on Magnetic Island was the woman on FOH. Because of this person's lack of of professionalism, she lost the business money. She needs to learn about the hospitality industry and not be rude to potential guests.

• User:MurrayD952

  Trip type: Couples

  Look elsewhere

  05 Oct 2024

  Hotel problemsIn my opinion the place was run by inexperienced backpackers, cheap labour My room. *Wall Clock doesn’t work *Ceiling fan speed control didn’t work, one speed, very slow *Air con 1.5 metres from bed head and very noisy (window rattler)*Dishwasher doesn’t work, had a hand written sign stuck on the door *Mould in bathroom near sink *Paint in bathroom looks like it was painted by a kid. Painted over the toilet roll holder and paint drips on the floor. *Dust 2 mm thick on painting in bathroom *Flys and dirt thick dust on windows sill *Mouse in room *Spiders in cupboard *Very unusual asked to pay the full account at check in. *The swimming pool had tiles missing and some falling off, you could easily see the pool had been restored and the new surface coating had peeled off at least 50% of the bottom, not a good look to me, the water was cool and clean. On leaving the resort didn’t offer to drive us back the to port using their free shuttle service. The bus service didn’t suit our departure time so we carried our suit cases 1.4kms. They have a lot to learn in running a resort and making their clients welcome and ensuring we would return. Overall poor housekeepingAnd this was an upgrade to executive suite We will not recommend to resort, look elsewhere on the island. Bad experience 👎

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