Quay West Resort Magenta Shore

Had our 2 grand daughters for their extra week of school hols and couldn’t decide where to take them. While we have had a fabulous time at Peppers Kingscliff, Pullman Melbourne City and the Swissotel Sydney with the grand daughters we remembered a fantastic family holiday some years previous at Magenta Shores. Great accomodation, incredible food, indoor and outdoor pools plus dual synthetic tennis courts and excellent staff. The golf course inviting but we never bothered but did cycle my e-bike around it. There are now impressive cycleways that the council has added to the area worth checking out. The clincher for Magenta was its proximity and our past experience with the online booking made for 5 nights. The weather forecast was great so we arrived excited for our stay. However, we had mistakenly booked for the following week. This was quickly adjusted for us without any fuss, drama or embarrassment. Impressive to say the least and appreciated. We also appreciated the upgrade because of my wife’s Platinum Accor membership to an impressive self contained, a/c, furnished villa with 3 king size bedrooms, 2 toilets, ensuite with lounge, kitchen, dining and laundry downstairs. We were off to a great start. After unpacking and settling in we headed up to the restaurant looking forward to their menu and nightly specials displayed on a digital notice board in the foyer. As we walked in we now noticed it cordoned off and told it was closed for maintenance, but there was still food at the bar. The replacement “menu” was basically some pizzas, pasta with a kids menu. Fortunately there was a special bbq ribs that night which we ordered. We were impressed with the ribs but didn’t see another protein dish that week. Apparently they had no grill which explained that situation. Again the staff were lovely but we were incredibly disappointed. Unfortunately breakfast was also a minimalist menu and nothing of the quality of our previous visit. There was a buffet breakfast on the weekend but it was ordinary too and not of the standard you would expect of a Pullman. However, special mention to the young male barista. My mocha-chino was the best ever and I’ve had my fair share of mochas. My wife didn’t bother for breakfast at all, and our grand daughters only went a few times even though it was included for all four of us. That should say enough. The other disappointment was the larger outdoor pool was being serviced and empty. It’s not heated but the girls had especially bought wetsuits as they had enjoyed the pool previously. Fortunately the heated indoor pool was open and enjoyed by all. (Included two beautiful photos taken by our grand daughters on my old iPhone 13) Needless to say we shared our disappointment with management, compounded by the other options we passed over to come to Magenta. We were told by other guests that they were informed about the changes after they had made a non refundable booking. Because of our booking error we missed that. Curious why Oz Accors don’t have the same “things to know” that explained any changes to their services or facilities you get on their OS locations. We did have a great time away, but that was more the company than the location. Having said that staff were great, especially with our grand daughters, appreciated the villa, indoor pool and tennis court. However, next time we will do a more thorough “due diligence” before considering returning, plus ensure we have the correct dates.

My family was desperately needing a winter weekend getaway after weeks of being stuck at home battling virus after virus. What should’ve been a lovely time away was pretty terrible. Firstly, had we known the restaurants were under renovation with very limited food options and seating capacity, and that the “pool view room” we booked was in fact a view of an empty pool, we would not have booked this place. We were only notified once we confirmed our booking that major features of the resort were unavailable. Once we arrived other things that were advertised as inclusions in the room were non existent (alarm clocks in all bedrooms for example). I have never ever stayed at a hotel/resort where they advertise their reception hours as “8am-10pm” but not once did I call did I ever get a human being answer, I could only leave messages. The third and last time I tried calling it was to ask for urgent advice about a nearby hospital or medical centre for my son whose health quickly deteriorated during our stay. No answer and no one ever called me back. Just shocking. The buffet was abysmal. Terribly short staffed with 2 staff members run off their feet. Food options were sad looking, not replenished quick enough and were sloppily presented. Kudos to the chef who saved the morning by happily taking my omelette order which was by far the most enjoyable item consumed that morning. This place has so much potential but they fell short in every possible way and I can’t say I will be back or will be recommending the place in a hurry. As an Accor club member, it has also seriously made me think about not renewing my membership. Wish I could ask for my $800 back.

Magenta Shores was a wonderful family holiday. The reception staff were lovely. The villa was clean, very spacious and had everything we needed. The bar had great pizzas and happy staff. Kids had a ball playing footy on the beach, swimming in the indoor pool and playing tennis. Can't wait to come back when it's a bit warmer!