Novotel Newcastle Beach 5 King Street, Newcastle, New South Wales 2300

"Firstly, I want to say that I received exceptional service from Caleb at the front desk. If all of the staff had been like him, this would have been a 5 star review. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I had the worst customer service I have ever received, from a lady at the front desk, by the name of Niro. She should not be working in any hospitality role, especially at a hotel like Novotel, where people are paying minimum 300 to 500 per night. Before booking my stay, I called to inquire if it was okay for the hotel to hold my luggage a few hours before check in time, AND also for several hours after checkout time. I was told that this would be not be a problem. When I arrived the morning of my stay, Niro was working at the front desk. I brought my items, which was my luggage, a backpack, and 2 grocery sized bags. She displayed a disgusted look on her face and gave me attitude right away. She said that this was “so much stuff”, and was reluctant to hold it. I could not believe her attitude. This is supposed to be a hotel of respectable standard and I have to fight for my right to have my luggage held for a few hours. The following morning, I checked out very early to go to work, and asked that my luggage be held until the afternoon (as promised over the phone). Niro was working again, and this time she REALLY gave me attitude. She was arguing with me saying that they don’t hold luggage after checkout. This made no sense because I had called beforehand and was told the opposite. She was interrogating me asking whom I spoke to etc. This lady is so rude and should be fired. I am disgusted by how I was treated. I frequently stay at hotels for work, and I have never encountered this type of rude behaviour, even from places cheaper than the Novotel. Avoid this place unless you enjoy being treated poorly."

"I recently stayed at this "four-star hotel" with a convenient location, but unfortunately, my experience was not as pleasant as I had hoped. While the hotel had its strengths, there were some notable issues that affected my stay. Firstly, the room had a few significant shortcomings. The sink did not drain properly, which was quite inconvenient. Moreover, the room had a persistent unpleasant smell throughout my stay, making it uncomfortable. Additionally, instead of a proper duvet cover, there was only a thick blanket covered by two sheets, which was not what I expected in a hotel of this caliber. Furthermore, the bed, advertised as a king, was actually two twin beds pushed together, which was not as comfortable as I had anticipated. The breakfast offered at the hotel was far from satisfactory. The quality was subpar, and the limited variety became monotonous as it didn't change daily. Furthermore, the coffee served was undrinkable, which was disappointing. Unfortunately, the bistro at the hotel was undergoing construction for the majority of my stay, except for the last two days. This was an inconvenience as it was the primary dining option available, and its closure was never communicated to us before we booked our stay. Not being able to access the bistro for most of our visit limited our dining choices and disrupted our plans. It would have been appreciated if the hotel had notified us about this change in advance, giving us the opportunity to make an informed decision. The construction also made the hotel lobby very disorganized and very dirty. The first floor smelt entirely of paint fumes. In terms of customer service, it was mediocre at best. While the staff was generally responsive, their level of service did not meet the expected standards one would associate with a four-star hotel. I also found that the hot tub was not hot, but rather freezing, which was quite off-putting. Moreover, the gym closed at 10:30 pm and was not available 24 hours, limiting its accessibility to guests. The internet speed provided by the hotel was quite slow, only offering 6 Mbps per second, which was insufficient for my needs. Furthermore, having only ten TV channels available was limiting, especially for guests looking for a wider selection of entertainment options. Lastly, I found it quite frustrating that the housekeeping staff would frequently turn off our plug-in outlets, disrupting the charging of our devices. While the hotel's location was convenient, these shortcomings and inconveniences overshadowed the positive aspects. I hope that the hotel management addresses these issues to provide a better experience for future guests. The hotel parking was also $20 a day. While the hotel's location remained a positive aspect, these additional problems, especially the unannounced construction, further diminished the overall experience. I hope that in the future, the hotel management takes better care to inform guests about such significant changes to their facilities to avoid inconvenience and disappointment. NOT WORTH THE $4000 FOR 2 WEEKS!! SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY FOR AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT ACTUALLY CARES."

"Excellent location. However, the overall experience was not what I was expecting. I am an Accor gold member, and during check: a) no status recognition b) no complementary room upgrades c) no welcome amenity d) wrong room was given to us Rooms are basic and starting to look tired (looks like a large Ibis room) Breakfast: $30/person, as an accor plus member we got the 50% discount, $30/for two. Again, what a disappointment !! looks like the breakfast you get at an IBIS, not what you expect at a Novotel hotel. For example, there was no cheese or ham available. Overall, the staff needs retraining around Accor status, and the manager should visit other Novotel units to understand the standard that is expected!! We are not staying here again !! it's just an overpriced IBIS !!"

"Currently front reception is getting renovated which is never great. The place is getting very dated, so renovations are 100% necessary. Rooms are clean and tidy, bathroom/shower is awesome. Stayed many time and will stay again."

"I was on a work trip with my partner. Unfortunately, our check-in experience left much to be desired. We had already endured a long and tiring drive, and the last thing we needed was a negative encounter at the front desk. As we approached the check-in counter, the lady behind it began discussing how she had previously evicted guests from the hotel due to smoking and partying, emphasizing the additional charges they incurred as a result. This was not the warm and welcoming approach one expects when checking into a hotel. I wanted to express my dissatisfaction with her comments, but given our fatigue and the desire to preserve a positive mood, I chose not to engage in an argument. I sincerely hope that Novotel hotel works towards fostering a more welcoming and accommodating atmosphere for their guests during the check-in process. It is disheartening to feel threatened with the possibility of eviction before even settling into our room. Thankfully, the remainder of our stay at Novotel was relatively uneventful. I must commend the bar staff for their exceptional service. They were attentive, kind, and friendly, ensuring that we felt well taken care of. Their hospitality helped to alleviate some of the disappointment caused by the initial check-in experience. While the bar staff's efforts were appreciated, it is important for the management at Novotel to recognize the significance of a positive and welcoming first impression. A guest's check-in sets the tone for their entire stay, and it is crucial to prioritize making them feel valued and comfortable from the very beginning. In conclusion, my experience at Novotel hotel in Newcastle had its ups and downs. I hope that the hotel management addresses the issues surrounding the check-in process and implements measures to ensure a more welcoming approach for their guests. With improvements in this aspect, I believe Novotel can enhance the overall experience for all who choose to stay at their establishment."