A helpful page that gives insight behind the brochures that glamorize travel destinations but overlook the rest. This one is for Silver Sands Resort, near Mandurah Western Australia. It might even help you save a dollar or two after reading below.
The first thing you’ll notice when visiting the resort is the distance between it and any beach. Brochures and websites imply the resort sits on or near a beach. Silver Sands Resort isn’t on a beach at all, much less a safe, family-friendly one. It’s not even in Mandurah.
Some say this should be mentioned before booking.
And what about that fancy restaurant everyone enjoys going to when on their holidays?
No. No restaurant here. The resort doesn’t have a bar either, not even a small one. If only the brochures said something about this!
Leaky roofs aren’t mentioned either.
Emergency Contact: ph 0448 849 613
A number of upper-level rooms (between 22 and 52) leak. There is mould on the ceilings. The roof has been patched many times, but that doesn’t stop them or the new ones that pop up. Water will drip down the walls during downpours. You’ll see where many coats of paint have been used to cover the mould.
Visitors staying in rooms between 30, 32, 34 and 36 must endure a continuous dripping noise. Getting a restful night’s sleep will be challenging.
Not all rooms have baths but those that do will drain onto the bathroom floor through the waste. Some of it will be black water (yes, it’s all connected darling). My advice is not to use them.
Emergency Contact: ph 0448 849 613
Units 53 and 9 have the poorest views of the resort (almost everyone complains). You’ll find out just before you put a key into your lock. Ask for a half-price credit if you don’t like what you see. (Rack room prices are available. They rent rooms to non-members like all hotels/resorts do. Don’t let them tell you they don’t know what a room costs! It’s printed in black and white!)
The resort’s barbecues aren’t reliable. You might like to bring your own BBQ instead.
Ivan Hill (manager) “isn’t pedantic” about the water quality in the resort’s pools and spas. He’s willing to keep them open when dangerous contaminants are found in the council’s monthly report. Good luck to you if you have an open wound, gut irritation or an eye issue! (Anyone up for a nice warm glass of E. coli?) Don’t forget the black water mentioned earlier. Guest’s feet go into the pool!
As mentioned in many online reviews, even the newest rooms are outdated. The best rooms are those the directors reserve for themselves for their holidays. These have the youngest fit-outs and the best views of the pool. If you’re not happy with the quality of your room, they’ll switch you!
One hint here is to check in early.
If you’re late to the resort, chances are your room won’t be changed. But if you’re early, get a room change done as soon as you find out your room’s location. The resort rules state that check-in is at 4pm but any time after midday is okay.
They have a large waiting room where you can leave your bags and look at the resort from a distance. You won’t be able to get into your room but you can certainly walk the paths to find it. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to assess the resort’s layout and find out where you’re staying for the week. If you don’t like the position of your room, you can make the necessary changes at the front desk immediately. (You’re welcome)
The resort’s gardens are watered by a bore supply. It’s great for WA gardens but horrendous on cars (windy days beware). If you press Ivan hard enough, he’ll personally clean off the hard water stains made on your car’s paint job.
Upgrades to the WIFI antennas are complete. A strong signal can be found from anywhere in the resort. Unfortunately, the data speed through it is dead lousy.
Stairs.
There are stairs everywhere. Get used to them. It seems like you’re always going up or down stairs. For some, checking in and out is a nightmare. Your luggage and boxes of food need to go up, down, up and up again, to get to where it’s going. There are no elevators. The irony is the entire property is built on a levelled sand dune. It was made like this to look aesthetically pleasing. (Staff will provide baggage assistance but only if you absolutely demand it at check-in!)
Secrets of the lower car park:
This car park has been a bug-bear for a long time. Is it necessary to pay for an extra car park?
You got a free car park with your booking and then they told you about the extra parking fee for other cars. You paid the daily fee for lower car park access but, during your stay, you noticed other guests bypassing it by using the empty car spaces in the main parking area, for free. This didn’t seem fair so you questioned the office about it and they weren’t sympathetic. Don’t worry. Threaten to contact Classic Holidays with your grievance. Ivan Hill will appear like magic, apologise, and refund you. (It was probably his special mates setting a bad example anyway. You’re welcome, again!)
A/H Contact: ph 0448 849 613
After-hours assistance at Silver Sands Resort: The manager lives beside the property. Go down the stairs (the ones beside the mini-tennis courts) that lead to the cul-de-sac. Open the gate. His place is the first one on the right past the open space — available all hours. That’s why he’s there. He’ll get stuff done when the office is closed. If your TV is on the blink and it can’t wait until morning, he’s your can-do man with a will-do attitude. All hours availability.
Smoking isn’t permitted on the property. But ground staff leave by 4.00 p.m. (Fri check-in is the exception; they are there until 6.30 p.m.). They don’t arrive again until 7.30am. You do the math.
Silver Sands Resort Experiences 