Mantra PortSea

The property features numerous amenities such as pools, spa, kitchen, gym, tennis court, hot tub, and grill. Its prime beachside location adds to its convenience. The staff consistently provides excellent service.

Things I liked: The staff on reception were all really friendly and helpful. You can fill up water bottles at reception from a lovely water filter - and buy a glass bottle so you can fill it with the sparkling water. The included breakfast was pretty good - it had plenty of options. I liked the layout of my 1 bedroom apartment - it had everything I needed. There’s a great little Asian plant-based restaurant called Bam Pow across the road (you will need to book in advance). Much better cocktails than the hotel & they have a good happy hour. Also the bottle store is across the road. It’s only about a 10 minute brisk walk to the Coles supermarket, even though they tell you it will take 20 minutes. Be aware that you have to cross a very busy road to get to the shaded pathway to Macrossan Street. A lot of the reviews complain about the towel situation, I guess because at most resorts pool towels are available poolside whenever you need them. I took my own towel, but did not need it. They gave me two towel exchange vouchers for 7 day stay. And there’s a clothes airer on the balcony, so you can dry towels overnight outside (since it is so warm). Things I disliked: The pool is not heated, so not that many adults were using it (it took your breath away when you got in). And you couldn’t really use it after about 5-6pm without feeling too cold (by then there is no sun & there’s a breeze most days). There is a spa pool, but all the children had claimed that and throughout my stay it was doubling as the kiddies pool. So you had to share it with children playing games where they dive under the water and wave pool noodles about in your face. It was most unpleasant. There is nobody supervising the pool, so children just scream all day. Perhaps if they heated the main pool slightly in the winter months, more people could enjoy it. The pool toilets did not appear to have been cleaned in the whole time I was there. Probably don’t look too closely at the cleaning in your room either, or give it a good deep clean yourself when you arrive. Think of it as a holiday home, not a high-end resort. You won’t get to sleep in as the cockatoos wake you up before 7am, so no need to worry about missing breakfast. I might stay again, but not in the school holidays.

Arrived to a beautiful entrance but that was about it. halls smell of damp, room had no hot water services, paid for an upgrade to a room with hot water and was told it would have a king bed like the original room, arrived at the new room and was only a queen after a long day of travel and late room change was to much of an inconvenience to change again. Went to the adult pool which was dirty and full of leaves. Average stay a bit disappointed overall