Clarion Hotel Mackay Marina, Mackay

This hotel is situated at the Marina and on the waterfront overlooking the Whitsunday Islands. The marina waterfront is a new development which consists of numerous new apartments, restaurants and caf�s. There is an excellent walking track around the marina and along the surf patrolled beach. The hotel is not in town but approx 5 minutes taxi drive from the CBD. Our apartment (6007) was lovely with a large open planned lounge room which consisted of a small couch, dining suite, TV, balcony, and a modern kitchenette attached. The kitchen contained a stove, fridge (mini bar contents) microwave, coffee and tea facilities. Our separate bedroom was spacious, modern with a queen size bed, wardrobe, TV, bedside tables leading onto a balcony with beautiful views of the marina and ocean. The bathroom was enormous with a large spa, vanity unit and modern separate shower, also attached was a laundry with washing machine and dyer. The lobby and the main restaurant Latitude 21 were impressive decorated with all the finer trimmings, which you would expect from a new hotel. We had dinner in the main restaurant which offered a good selection of food and wine. There is also an outdoor area where the locals seem to enjoy having coffee and afternoon drinks. The outdoor swimming pool is spacious with good deck-chairs and umbrellas. Overall, we found this hotel to be excellent and would have to be the best in town. If you don�t want the expense of eating in the hotel, then there are plenty of other options available along the promenade, including a pub and local fish and chips take-away. This hotel is 100% smoke free, which means no smoking on the premises. The only negative I could find was it is out of town but there are plenty of activities which are offered and can be booked through reception. I have given this hotel a five star rating for its position and lovely self contained apartments offering water views.