Mantra Twin Towns

Formerly known as the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, the Mantra Twin Towns combines the independence of an apartment-style hotel with elements of traditional hotels and larger resorts. The two semicylindrical towers that make up this property are lined with balconies and the buildings don't look distinct from many of the towers rising across the Coolangatta/Tweed Heads area. The lobby has a homey, simple quality, with tan tiled floors and a large pink granite front desk, plus several leather couches arranged along a curving bank of windows. There are also plenty of tourist brochures in racks. The hotel's Signatures Restaurant has a bit of an airport restaurant vibe, with dark wood tables and chairs (which have seen better days) and dark brown patterned carpets. The warm wood pillars and wicker fans swirling overhead add a dash of tropical charm to the space though. making the entire complex even more labyrinthine. Tour groups and tourists staying over before a flight from the Gold Coast airport are a regular part of the clientele, as are families and couples on holiday.

Like properties along much of Australia's Gold Coast, the main draw here is the ocean, and the hotel is only two blocks from Greenmount Beach, a clean urban strip of sand bordered by trees. The Coolangatta/Tweed Heads area is filled with other mid- and high-rise hotels and apartment buildings and the towns are actually divided between two states: Queensland and New South Wales (this also means two different time zones depending on the time of year, so check ahead). Mantra Twin Towns is part of New South Wales and is connected to the Twin Towns Services Club, which is filled with restaurants and pubs like 1st on Wharf. There are shops and bars in every direction from the hotel, including the Tweed Mall, which houses a Woolworths and Target. The Gold Coast Airport is easily accessible via a bus that stops next to the hotel (15 minutes, no transfer necessary), though guests with cars can reach the airport in less than 10 minutes.

These aren't the most chic rooms to be had along the Gold Coast, but they are bright and clean, and have plenty of space to relax or take in the views from the furnished balcony that comes with every room (some of which have ocean views). Hotel rooms are slightly more dated than the apartment that we visited, with gray industrial carpet and red-tone wood furniture, some of which showed a bit of wear and tear. Bright, palm-inspired wall art hangs on neutral walls over beds, with green and red pillows and bed runners adding more pops of color to the room. Hotel rooms have mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, electric kettles, and microwaves plus a small amount of dish-ware for self-catering. Bathrooms are equally dated, with tan tile floors, large pink granite vanities, toiletries, and bathtub/shower combos. We did spot a bit of dirty grout in the bathtub/shower tiles when we visited. Apartments are a bit fresher, with lighter patterned carpets and a turquoise motif that appears in armchairs, ottomans, and abstract wall art. Apartments have blond veneer furniture, which is a beachier choice that's more appropriate for the area when compared to the hotel rooms. Full kitchens included range tops, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, and dishes, and all apartments have the same amenities as hotel rooms as well as a dining area. Housekeeping is only included once per week in apartments, though it is more frequent in hotel rooms. Apartments have separate, cozy bedrooms and contemporary white bathrooms with sharp brown tiled floors and bathtub/shower combos and separate walk-in glass showers. 

While the Mantra Twin Towns offers both traditional hotel rooms and more self-sufficient apartments, it also features several resort-style amenities on site, including a large outdoor pool with lap lanes and an adjacent hot tub, and a heated indoor pool with a steam room. The hotel's carpeted fitness center contains a handful of cardio machines as well as some weight machines and the hotel has outdoor tennis courts as well. There are several kid-friendly options here, including a game room with air hockey and arcade games, plus a mini-golf course. Signatures Restaurant offers a buffet breakfast with an egg station and plenty of other choices, though guests have reported significant wait times in high season and breakfast isn't included with booking. The restaurant serves other buffets throughout the day and the adjacent Twin Towns Services Club, connected to the hotel by covered walkway, offers plenty of dining and entertainment options. Though the hotel doesn't draw tons of business guests, there are several conference rooms with audiovisual capabilities. Wi-Fi is available, but it is not free, and the hotel's front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and can provide concierge services. There is also a coin-operated laundry facility on site for guest use plus free covered parking, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers.