Novotel Ellerslie

Not a very convenient Location without Car

This tip is not only about the Novotel but also about the Ibis in the Auckland suburb of Ellerslie. The hotels share the reception.



Novotel and Ibis Ellerslie

Without car the location of those two adjoining hotels is not very convenient. Although you could take the train (not very frequent service) or the bus you should rather plan your trips to the city than just expect to hop on a bus and there you are.

The setting is quite nice, with a lot of green and huge palm trees, and although located at a big intersection it is not noisy at all. The hotels share the reception, the Ibis rooms are to the left, the Novotel rooms, restaurant and bar/café to the right. In between is a nice outdoor sitting and café area.

The hotels are veeeeeeeery airconditioned, meaning you should not forget a sweatshirt or cardigan if you want to sit in the foyer. This can also happen in the rooms but when I could not stop the aircondition in my Ibis room it was quickly fixed. But one thing I absolutely hate in big hotels is that you cannot open the window.

The rooms at the Ibis are not huge but ok, the bathroom was very nice, and breakfast in the Novotel restaurant as well.

The area is not great in restaurants but at least a big supermarket and McDonald's - including McCafé - are close-by. And a great interior decoration shop. But I think this does not really help you on your visit ;-)

I would not have chosen this hotel on a leisure trip. But I was there for business for a week, and all the athletes and managers I had to interview stayed there, and there was a shuttle service to the stadium, so it was just the most convenient place to be.

Novotel (147 rooms) is a 4 star accommodation and has a lot of amenities including gym. They have different types of rates, restricted and unrestricted ones, and they can range from NZ$135 to 402, depending on the type of rate and the date. They often have specials.

The same applies to the Ibis which is only 3 star. But the rates are great, from NZ$89.

Update 31 May 2009

Ibis has updated its rooms, so should be nicer than before - although I did not find my room that bad. Rates still from NZ$ 89 - but might be higher during the week. Just check their website and Wotif.