3 years ago
I like to stay in Manly when visiting Sydney as it...
I like to stay in Manly when visiting Sydney as it is so easy to get the Airport Train to Circuiar Quay, walk a few meters to get on either of the two Manly Ferry Services and it so relaxing to start the trip with a boat ride on Sydney Harbour. when you disembark it is literally just a 5 to 7min walk to Novotel. This is the first time I have stayed at the Novotel as normally I stay in serviced apartments. This is the only full service Hotel in Manly so offers room service. It has great free wifi for guests and check in is 24 hours. It has a gym albeit a public gym with free access for Hotel guests. It also has a coin operated laundry which is a bonus when staying >3days. The breakfast buffet was very good and kids under 16, eat free when with a paying adult. Only ate in the restaurant for dinner once and was a bit underwhelmed but at least they had a restaurant as the weather was awful outside. There is another restaurant annexed to the hotel, Daniel San. I did not eat there but it seemed popular. The rooms and sliding glass doors are well soundproofed which was good as the surf was up when we were there and the surf noise when ranch-slider was open, was very very loud. It was a delight to "quietly" sit in the room and watch some of the amazing surfing action happening at the time. The bathroom is a generous dimension so you can easily get dressed in there, if you need the extra privacy. I had to buy coffee bags, as they only provide Nescafe instant coffee. Jess on reception did a great job of helping me get my sons shoes back that he forgot to pack. However rating them a 2 star as I was bitten on the 2nd night. I should have bought it to their attention as if I look at photos and symptom descriptions the match those for a bed bug bite. My son, did not get bitten , he slept in the other bed. I stayed in room 320. View of the Ocean. I stayed 5 nights. ..I did not get any cost recognition for the extended period and they did not change my sheets once, which I didn't notice till too late. No slippers or Robes are provided. There was a bit of mould on the bathroom floor tiles and a few patches in the shower over bath. They don't provide complimentary water . The bar staff in the foyer were not very attentive so I had to always go to the bar to order. So my overall experience was well below par for a hotel which cost me an average of $AUD390/night.