Nestled a little out of town with its own beach is what is the pick of resorts in Exmouth. The accommodation is spacious and clean and the crew that service the rooms are friendly and helpful. The grounds are elegantly landscaped and are well lit for the stroll back from the restaurant at night. There is a wide range of types of accommodation ranging from units surrounding the pool adjacent to reception and the bar and brasserie to beach front bungalows strung along the shore. These comprise buildings that are split into a one bedroom unit that sits beside a two bedroom unit that boasts a jacuzzi on the deck. These can be combined for a family or group with a shared deck overlooking the beach.

We stayed in a one bedroom beachfront bungalow. The bed was super comfy and the aspect was delightful. While there was a jacuzzi spa bath in the bathroom, we were mindful of how precious water is in this part of Australia, and chose not to use it (although it was spotless!).

There is a well patronised IGA in town which is five minutes drive, located in a shopping precinct that includes a BWS and several surf shops and offices for tours. As for the beach here, it seems more popular for fishing than swimming and snorkelling. Parking your 4WD on the beach with your gear is quite normal and safe on the compacted sand.

This is a well designed, built and maintained resort in a perfect location if you don’t want or need to be in the middle of town. But book ahead, as they are often fully booked.

We stayed for 5 nights at Mantarays in early July. It's a lovely location and we enjoyed the ocean view from our room. Staff were always very friendly too - from reservation to booking - and whenever we asked questions.
The main issue we had was with the room we were given which was 405. It's deemed a "superior room with ocean view". It did have an ocean view and Mantarays is the only place in Exmouth right on the beach. But room 405 was looking right over the restaurant. Which means it's pretty noisy at night. Fortunately most nights guests had gone to bed by 10pm but when you're on East Coast time that's midnight. The other issue with room 405 (and the room below which I think is 400) is that the bedroom windows open straight onto the back of the main restaurant and gym building and there's a large bank of fan motors from aircons. So if you want to open the windows at night for fresh ocean air there's a constant loud hum. There are also no fans - just air cons.
We are fresh air people who like fans not air con and ocean breezes. I assume if you like air con and closed the doors and ran it you wouldn't hear any of the outside noises.
If you want fresh air though don't get room 405. I also think the location of that room means it shouldn't be classified as "superior".
Other than the poor sleep we had a lovely stay. I highly recommend the buffet breakfast too. It was good value at $34 ($17 for kids) with some really delicious options.

Part of the Novotel the "googlies" told us.
Rooms, small, hardly any storage space except wardrobe which is already full iron, ironing board, clothes horse, safe etc. so we had to use the floor and the little table where my computer should have gone.
Bed grat, pillows were not the great cumulus clouds typically offered and were very comfy.
View, well it's a small beach where they pump out the dredge water from inside the marina enterance so not really all that picturesque.
Bathroom had a large shower and a spa that was great. 2 nights and 1 morning of an 8 night stay, no hot water.
No toaster, no microwave, little telly, no streaming unless you pay, internet does not work with PC as you cannot even open the server but ok on phone or tablet. (IT problem they could fix in a jiffy but don't).

Steps VERY steep to second floor no help avainble for bags, glad we were up there though as the beach view from downstairs must be hardly anything. So if you are elderly, as we are getting, the climb to and from the room is not good.

Breakfast. Here in June, only one table outside was in shade at any time breakfast is open so had to sit inside at a beach hotel. It would take a couple of days to put in suitable shade they could take away when the sun is at a different angle.

Breakfast. Website and printed blurb say's breafast is until 11am BUT the buffet isn't (closes at 10) and so you are left with al-la-carte which is about $10-$15 higher than it sould be.

The buffet is excellent food good quality and well stocked both hot and cold excepting only full cream and lite milk with the cereal and when I asked for soy they don't keep it but you can have a soy coffee ...........????/!!!????????.

THis is the most expensive place in Exemouth, I expected much more.

Staff were great, that the best part they helped when they saw we were struggling.

Next time we go we will stay at Whalers not Mantarays and even the lower price of Potshot Hotel Resort, the rooms were better appointed than that at Mantarays but yes older and no beach view.

Mantarays definately not worth the extra money for a fairly crappy sea view.