Ningaloo Reef Resort

This really is the best place to stay in Coral Bay, being across the road from the beach with great sunset views and an easy five minute walk to the pub and shops. The rooms are small but functional, unless you get the Penthouse, which has plenty of room and a great bath. Overall the place is a bit tatty and could use a coat of paint, but you don't come to Coral Bay to spend time in your room... enjoy the beach and surrounding area. The cafe is average (though the coffee is good), and we ended up eating out most nights. There are good alternatives just a few minutes walk up the road. Staff were pleasant and helpful. I particularly enjoyed the Sunday Session on the lawn, where tourists and locals enjoyed music, had a few drinks and played some games. It was a great community activity with a great atmosphere.

We got a studio beach comber room, which was right in front of the BBQ pits and on the ground level. At first I was a bit unsure about the noise, since the pub is right next door, but during the couple of weeks after winter holidays, no one seemed to be making too much noise. The room itself was decent - basic stuff for the price we were paying, but really we were here for the location and not for the room. The room had a double bed, as well as a bunk bed. A kitchen with basic equipment provided and a half way decent shower. My only real gripes with the room were that A) the plug sockets were miles away from the bed and B) the two hobs, which are induction - are too close together. With the pots and pans provided, you literally couldn't have two pots on at the same time, which sort of makes the double induction hob a bit useless. But we managed anyhow, not too big of a deal. The room was wonderful to wake up in. The bright light floods in and you wake up to the green lawn and the beach and the sea. It really doesn't get much better than this.Take a short stroll and you're on this magical stretch of beach that just goes on and on with no other people around. Most of the reviews saying this is a motel and not a resort- well, that's true. It is expensive and it doesn't have the best facilities, but what it lacks there it makes up for in scenery and location. It's well worth the visit - we wished we had stayed here much longer. The staff on site are also very friendly as well - we had left our USB plugged into the telly and they kindly sent it on to us in Perth for free - thanks guys!

This place is my favourite in W A its paradise to us. Known for the best kept secret. Our Whale Shark experience was the best & with only a couple of operators it was peaceful on the water. With no crowds you couldn't ask for more. We stayed for one week with several cafes/ restaurants to choose from Supermarket is very very expensive (double) as everything is trucked long distance so make sure you have basics.

The holiday was magnificent, given the two minute walk to the beach. If you want to take advantage of not having to get up early for work though, don't stay here, or else bring heavy duty earplugs. The metal stairs right outside the rooms, combined with 5 or 6 am getaways and fairly inconsiderate neighbours, is not a good combination. The room was clean enough, the bed reasonable comfortable and the kitchen in our room had all that we needed and had been updated. The staff were just lovely; cheerful and helpful. The restaurant and bar below have a live band on Thursdays which ends at 10 pm but the shrieking continued until 11, but it was ok on the other days. The price is high because of the expenses associated with the remote location, and is understandable if your expectations are realistic.

We had a garden view room which was one of the cheaper ones but also a blessing as it was away from the pub (front bar). We were in room 26 and my bro was in room 27 and these were nice, clean and well serviced. The weird bed in the loungeroom layout is something the owners might want to reconsider at the next renovation. Location wise this place is awesome - a 50m stroll to the beach and only 50m more to be snorkelling on the reef. Heaven! Friendly staff made for the icing on the cake. Thanks to Jen at the front desk in particular for her helpful attitude.

We really enjoyed this spot as the view and location is fabulous. The service and staff were very friendly and helpful. Daily clean towels were most welcome. The only improvement would be in the kitchen area as it is small and difficult to prepare meals for a large family with a 2 plate stovetop. Our upstairs apartment was clean and neat and lots of hot water for showers for 5 family members after a day in the ocean was excellent.

We stayed in ocean view room 14, which is right above the shades cafe and pub, and the designated smoking area. Not a problem during the daytime, but during happy hour it is crazy. We stayed while the State of Origin was on and we couldn't sleep for the cheering and smell of smoke. I personally believe that the positives outweigh the negatives, however. Nevertheless, the views are amazing and only a few metres from the beach.

We had the Penthouse for 2 nights to celebrate a significant wedding anniversary, and as you can imagine paid top dollars. The staff was extremely helpful but the room was much less to be desired. I wished that the Resort would have given a discount for the impending refurbishment - as the quality of the room is not up to scratch. Some would say the product was not fit for purpose ie. a Penthouse price for a worn out motel room. The shower handles were held together by silicone; the spa did not work; instead of reverse cycle air-conditioner for winter nights, we were given a fan heater; floor tiles were cracked & broken; the room was spacious but tired. Pluses - great location; friendly staff - but you can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse.

Our family of 5 have stayed in countless accommodation types both within Australia and overseas and this is the most I've ever paid for this standard of accommodation. We have spent the last few weeks travelling through NT and WA and this place has been the most disappointing. I booked an ocean view room. The room was clean and had a beautiful view but was extremely tired with a rusty 2 jobstove top and cracked peeling paint in the kitchen area. The front door opens straight into the main bedroom which is unusual. It meant traipsing wet sandy feet through your bedroom. For the cost I would have also expected more than a thin old blanket on the beds especially given the cool nights in winter. There is a reverse cycle conditioner though. We received one set of toiletries for 5 people. I would suggest saving your money for a nicer place potentially even in exmouth (we stayed in a beautiful modern 4 bedroom house with fully equipped kitchen for less) and just travel down for the day.