More about Novotel Canberra
Great stay in the heart of Canberra
by TripAdvisor Member mrsmcmd
We recently stayed at the Novotel Canberra over the Easter break.
We got a very good rate directly off the Novotel website (they guarantee to be the cheapest available on the net). Take the $20 per room breakfast offer if there is more than 1 of you. Its great value - particularly as we were a family of 4. The buffet does not have an egg station, but it does have a large hot selection and 2 cappuccino machines. This was spotlessly clean and very well staffed to provide table service and food replenishment. There is also a kids play area attached to the breakfast room with lego, cushions, crayons etc.
The rooms are your standard Novotel decor. Reasonable in size, quiet and very clean. Our room was on the 4th floor and overlooked the bus terminal downstairs. The rooms have no balconies, and no view apart from other office buildings. The room had 2 double beds which were very comfortable. The a/c worked well, except every time we left the room it switched off, and then did not automatically turn on when our key was inserted on entry. Mental note to turn it back on every time you came back into the room.
The car park was a nightmare. The hotel charges $10 p/day which is reasonable when you consider the hotels location. However it is extremely small & tight and everyone must leave their car keys with the valet. On several occasions we were parked in, and had a 10 mins wait for the valet staff to rearrange cars simply for us to get our car out. (Calling in advance also provided no solution to this!). Also, don't be surprised if the following morning you find your car has been moved. In saying this, the valet staff were exceptional and extremely apologetic & courteous (their next jobs will probably be as air traffic controllers!).
Unfortunately the pool & gym were out of service after the recent Canberra storms, which was very disappointing for us. We were not told until check-in, however were given passes to a local swimming pool for complimentary use.
The hotel is located in the city centre which is very convenient. I would not like to be in Canberra without a car, as with most of the attractions transport is required. There are plenty of restaurants in walking distance - highly recommend King O'Malleys pub & Woodstock for pizza. Both are child friendly and good value.
Apart from the few negatives I mentioned, we would definately stay at the Novotel again. We found it very clean, good value for money and family friendly. Recommended.
Can't complaint!
by TripAdvisor Member Yoyo_Girl
The entrance to the Novotel wasn't particularly impressive and the reception area was a bit smaller than what I expected from one of the top hotels in Canberra. But there really is nothing to complain about this hotel - it has everything you expect a 4.5 star hotel to be able to provide you.
The location of the hotel is great - close to some nice cafes and restaurants, and only minutes away from the city centre (more shops and restaurants). It is literally meters away from the bus shop where you could be dropped off by the airport shuttle bus (and getting back to the airport).
The reception and room service staff throughout my 3-day stay were very friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed going to the pool and spa, and the gym also is well equipped.
The in-room massage was average, and I thought it was a bit more expensive compared to what I am paying back in Sydney. If you were needing a massage etc, I suggest finding a nice day spa in the city centre and book something in.
Substantial
by A TripAdvisor Member
My family stayed here as a pit stop on the way to and back from thredbo. It provided what we needed. We didn't get to explore the facilities but i found the rooms to be very comfrotable and the staff to be quite nice and genuinley willing to help. Although Canberra isn't exactly known for the BEST hotels, this one wasn't bad. It's meant to be one of canberras top hotels and i believe the comfort factor lived up to that expectation. The beds were nice and big and everything seemed to just work there were no complications at all. The food was OK, and depending on the package it could have been better but it did the job. The reception is nothing to get excitied about but overall, The novotel just had a really hearty and warm feel. It didnt feel to overlly posh so that you felt like everywhere you stepped you had to be careful of knocking over a priceless ornament and if you come to Canberra to see the sites as most people do, then this is definitley just a hotel that you can come back to after a long treck around parliment and the like, and lie back in and feel quite at home.
Overpriced and uninteresting
by TripAdvisor Member Antsy280
I stayed at the Novotel in Canberra for 5 nights in May. The rooms were clean and modern. Compared to my other lodging in Australia, the Novotel was extremely expensive (AUS$250/night). Now, for a luxurious hotel, this would be a fine rate, but for a standard business traveler hotel with no view in an ok part of town, I was disappointed.
The positives: Many restaurants nearby, front desk staff were very friendly, rooms were clean and well maintained.
The negatives: Internet access was 50 cents per MINUTE (wired only)! Really annoying. It was easy to connect to though.
The problem for me with this hotel, is that there is nothing terribly
wrong with it, but nothing to make it special, and everything from the rates to the internet to the room service seemed overpriced to me.
I would only stay at this hotel again if I could get a less expensive
rate.
Location, Location, Location
by TripAdvisor Member villdre
Bang in the centre of Canberra's 'Civic'. Stone's throw away from restaurants, cinemas, gym, super market, bus stops, Lake Burley Griffin, ...everything! Couldn't ask for a better location in Canberra.
Service is good. I have spent 4 weeks (yes) at this hotel so, unsurprisingly, I have come across the occassional not-so-helpful employee. But the front desk is friendly and helpful mostly.
The Gym is quite nice (only Cardio - no weights). Pool seems nice too (though I haven't used it). They have a cafe, restaurant and a bar (all of which I haven't used, primarily because they are overpriced, as in any decent hotel). There are heaps of excellent and cheap options near-by.
The Internet access is horribly expensive. The car park spots are horribly tight (please dont take a Camry there! stick to Corollas). On Friday mornings, the check-out Queue is horribly long (though they do have a handy 'quick checkout' option). Also, it can get noisy. That is my pet peeve with the place. One night, there was a broken pipe outside my window - made too much noise in the rain. But the reception were helpful in changing my room late at night.
Overall, I would recommend it for the location. Everything else is average.
Nice hotel, great location
by TripAdvisor Member sydfire
This is an above average Hotel. Top location and an easy walk to all the retaurants you could wish to choose from.
Reception was smooth although it was made easier in and out by having pre paid. Parking was not offered and had to be asked for and there was no indication at the time of charges (AUD$15 pn). There was a sign next to the call button at the garage entrance but I think reception could tell people about it on booking in.
Double room was large and bright. Queen bed and the bathroom was adequate. Shower is inside a bath and would be a bit "squeezy" for a larger sized person. Overall though, very good. Pillows were pathetic. Much much too soft and there was no alternative. None was asked for so dont know if they could have been cahnged or not. If you like a hard pillow, take your own (that may be difficult) or request housekepping.
The only negative was on the second day. After returning late afternoon the electronic room key had been cancelled. Very annoying after a long day and having got to ones room to find one cant get in. Having the key reprogrammed was an education in third degree questioning by reception. I understand they have to be careful but for a prepaid, two night stay, one has to wonder about the electronic technology in a four star hotel.
Second night as good as the first and leaving was as smooth as arriving.
Overall. A good hotel and would probably use it again. The locations the thing.
Central Location
by TripAdvisor Member mastutio
Stayed for 2 nights en-route from Melbourne to Sydney. Efficient, pleasant reception staff. Good size rooms with very comfortable bed. Very clean throughout.
Located in the centre of the Civic - bars and restaurants were on the doorstep. The carpark under the hotel is convenient with direct lift access to the lobby. The city bus terminal is on the same street and car rental offices only a short walk. You'll need a car to see the sights - Canberra is spread over an enormous area.
My only complaint was that reception forgot to give us our morning alarm call and didn't offer much of an apology when it was mentioned. Other than that - I'd certainly recommend both Canberra and the Novotel for a short stay.
Good location for canberra
by TripAdvisor Member burgo1804
We stayed at the Novotel n Canberra over` the October long weekend at the same time as Floriade. The hotel as has been noted is in an excellent area for the city- good restuarants almost next door and close to the centre. Canberra is somewhat spread out so any hotel will not be clsoe to all the tourist sites.
The rooms wasn't large but there was sufficient room, the pillows were too soft but when we asked for some additional ones they were delivered promptly.
Shower doesn't get as hot as I would like and no soap or bath gel after the first night.
Soem public parts of the hotel are looking a little tired but the rooms and restaurants are in good condition. Breakfast was quite a good spread and included in the cost of our room.
Don't exepct too much in terms of views- hard in Canberra anyway as it is pretty flat and has lots of uninteresting buildings arounf the hotel. Parking probably a little expensive for Canberra at $15 per night.
Restaurant Sabayon in the Melbourne Building almost next door was a very good restaaurant at good prices.
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