Had lunch at Castaways last week with a friend - spent a couple of hours having a few drinks, taking in the view and dining. The food was great - huge and really fresh. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and would go back. The service was very friendly, but a little disorganised. All up, Castaways has prime position on the beach, pool and outdoor area are really inviting. I just think they need to take it to the next level of service and ensure everything is kept clean (which I know is hard to do in our weather and being outdoors) and they would have a gold mine.

This was going to be our ''spoil ourselves stay and a sentimental return. Given that Mission Beach was thrashed by Cyclone Yassi, Castaways Resort public entertainment areas are remarkably unscathed. We had a resort room upstairs with large sliding doors opening on to a balcony. The balcony floor was scattered with the remains of a broken cup and quite grubby. We'd had a long trip so I was keen to shower. Turned on the tap - cold water. let it run for a bit with no improvement. The receptionist got someone on to it and apparently the hot water was reset. 45 minutes later..cold water; next day - cold water. The towels were rough enough to use for exfoliation. The bathroom was outdated and the bath badly stained. My husband complained that there was no free internet to the room. The bed was wonderfully comfy.We breakfasted with an acquaintance we'd bumped into and he said "Lovely spot. But cold showers." The service at reception, bar and restaurant was wonderful.We chose to eat dinner in the restaurant and were told that the fish was Mangrove jack. It wasn't and had obviously been frozen. It was dry and tough and quite inedible. The chocolate fondant dessert however was perfection. At $200 per night (discounted) hot water, good towels and free internet should be a given. Apart from the public entertainment areas the resort is badly in need of updating and refurbishing,

This hotel is right on the beach and our room overlooked it but sadly not with a balcony just a very large window that you could fully open. Nice room, fairly plain with little storage/wardrobe/draw space if you were staying more than a night. Nice bathroom, everything was very clean. I think we had one of the room that had not yet been refurbished. Hotel lobby/bar/restaurant areas were very smart with huge comfy sofas, the pools were clean and warm with sun loungers and towels. We didn't eat in the hotel, breakfast was not included and was fairly expensive. Staff were helpful and friendly.

My husband and three children visited Mission Beach to attend a 25th Wedding Anniverary Celebration.

The location was magic - right on the beach with uninterupted views. We had room 111 so we were on the bottom floor opening directly out on to the pool deck.

The rooms and the actually resort are some what dated but the bed was very comfotable, the airconditioning worked a treat and the kitchenette meant that we could organise some food for ourselves.

The pool was great and being able to step straight out of our room and into the pool was a plus.

The beach was patrolled and had a stinger net - too much seaweed however.

Having travelled to North Queensland before we were not sure what to expect from Mission Beach - thought it might be a bit like Palm Cove - to our surprise we found it more like the small south coast towns we are used to very underated / quiet and away from it all.

The food was the stand out of the place - I don't expect much in resorts - the standard buffet breakfast that everyone else has but this was different- the breakfasts were all individually cooked. There was a total of 10 of us in the group and our meals all came out together. The second nite our friends had organised a private table to celebrate their anniversary - it was beautifully put together and again the food was exellent.

I would definately stay here again if I am ever in that part of the country again. And our friends who live in Cairns will become regulars.