Short review
Note: 3 is average
Value for money: 4/5 – Reasonable value for money for its amenities and location
Services: 4/5 – Good welcome gift; received the wrong information from a staff at breakfast
Bedroom: 3.5/5 – Decent size
Sleep quality: 4.5/5 – Generally quiet even though it is located in the city centre; comfortable bed; quiet air conditioning
Bathroom: 4/5 – On the small side, but the bathtub is a plus
Facilities and amenities: 4.5/5 – Good gym, heated pool, located in the city centre
Pros
- Its location in the Melbourne CBD
Cons
- Nothing in particular
Long review
Novotel Melbourne on Collins is conveniently located in the Melbourne CBD. It is possible to walk from the Southern Cross Station (a main train station in the Melbourne CBD) to the hotel (about 1.1 km). Alternatively, you can simply hop on a tram (it is free to travel by tram within the CBD). The entrance of the hotel is small, although you can clearly see the hotel sign. Upon entering the premise, a concierge directed me to go to the 3rd floor where the lobby is.
Exploring the lobby a bit, I found a crammed children’s space. The hotel’s restaurant and bar are also located on this floor.
My room is a deluxe room with a king bed. At 26 sqm, the size of the room is reasonable. The TV, on the other hand, is rather small. A sofa is placed near the window, which is a great place to relax, while enjoying the view. Speaking of the view, I could see an interesting looking building from the window.
A welcome gift, comprising 2 macarons and some chocolates were placed on the desk. They actually were delicious.
The air conditioning was quiet. Furthermore, despite its location in the CBD, I barely heard any noises from outside. Along with the comfortable bed, I slept well during my 2-night stay.
The bathroom is on the small side, but it is clean and functional. The bathtub is a nice thing to have though. I think this is the advantage of staying in a deluxe room as compared to the standard one. The toilet is rather problematic though. Sometimes, when I lifted up the lid and the toilet seat, the seat fell back because the water tank was installed too deep into the seat.
The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a gym. Although the pool seems to be outdoor at first, it is actually indoor. I realised that there is like a massive covered atrium in the middle of the hotel, which is surrounded by rooms. Not sure why it was designed that way. Anyway, the pool is small, but nicely heated. The gym has a decent size too.
Breakfast was a bit better than the typical Australian breakfast offered in other Australian hotels. The staff tried to charge me for breakfast even though it was already included in the room rate.
Overall, it was a good experience. I had no major issues during my stay. The location of the hotel is great. The hotel also has good facilities.
