Nice ambience and rooms, but service is not exactly good

The hotel is extremely well located right in the middle of the Darling Harbour area with wonderful views of the Sydney Skyline from the hotel windows. The rooms are clear and overall nice with good space. The staff are generally helpful and the service is OK. Gievn the price the service is below what you woudl expact for a major hotel chain. However the location of the hotel in some respect compensate for the mediocre service.

The Dish restaurant in the hotel for breakfast and dinner is incredible slow. Go elsewhere if you want service. The breakfast buffet is really not very good and it offer much too little value for the money.

Two thumbs DOWN!

Stayed at Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour, room #623 with harbour view, from 1 to 5 July 2005. My husband & I were on a free & easy package, & were not planning to wake up before 9.30 a.m. every morning.

This was not to be, as there was persistent hammering that woke us up on 2 July(Sat), around 8.45 am. This continued on 4 July(Mon), around 8.15 am.

On both accasions, I had immediately called front desk & spoke to Daniel. He duly noted my complaint & told me he would alert his manager of the situation. On 5 July, again we were awaken around 8.45 am.

I decided to make a final complaint & spoke to the manager, Laura. She did not express any surprise that the noisy repair works started before 9am. Instead, she apologised & politely said I should have made the compliant earlier (& not on the last day), so they could at least move us to another room.

I am appalled by such poor response to the needs of their customers. We truly regretted staying at the Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour.

Brilliant hotel and lovely staff

We hadn't originally booked the Novotel but were "bumped" from the Crowne Plaza - it was overbooked by a convention we were relocated to the Novotel Darling Harbour. Naturally we were worried but the Novotel was in fact lovely - the restaurant has great views over the Harbour and the hotel has everything at it's doorstep - the Aquarium, shopping, the Powerhouse Museum and Maritime Museum - and lots of restaurants and cafes. The staff couldn't have been more helpful (I guess they new we had come from the Crowne Plaza and maybe were trying very hard) - Mustafa in Concierge booked our Harbour Cruise and organised for a late checkout on our last day - no charge! I think the Novotel was a lucky break - we loved it.

Well done Novotel!

What a great location, right on the waterfront and in the middle of Darling Harbour which is where all the action, sights, great restaurants and entertainment that you expect to see in a beautiful city like Sydney. The hotel rooms were large, shiny bright and with sensational views of the harbour and city skyline...we had originally booked a city view room which was nice but the next day we paid to upgrade to Harbour View...well worth the extra $50....staff very friendly and helpful, seafood buffet in the restaurant is great value and sumptuous...we have raved about the hotel to all our friends...another couple we know stayed the next week and were equally delighted.

Great hotel for our honeymoon

We stayed at the Novotel Darling Harbour in October 2003 for our honeymoon. The hotel was great, as we also got an upgrade to a harbour view room. We didn't eat in the hotel, but used the bar on several occasions, and the drink prices were ok. It was too cold to use the pool, but we were out sightseeing every day.

Great location, as you can walk into the Harbour and get the ferry round to Circular Quay. Great restaurants around Darling Harbour aswell.

(The Rugby world cup was on aswell, which made Australia an even better place to be !)

I recommend staying there !

December 2003 stay at Novotel

Except for the poor service in the evenings at the Dish Restaurant-- Novotel at Darling Harbour, the service was exceptional. The hotel is very well situated for the ferries, monorail, buses, taxis and the only late night mall-Harbourside. the Gym could be expanded upon instead of only 5 items in the gym. The tennis courts were good. The pool was nice but outside.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!!!

Just want to say that each time that I have stayed in this wonderful hotel, I have had the time of my life and all the staff were absolutely wonderful & I have recommended this hotel to all my friends who have travelled to Sydney. I dont think that anyone can ever say anything bad about this hotel & I will keep on staying at the Novotel each time I come to Sydney. I have been to Sydney for the last few years & have stayed at the Novotel on Darling Harbor & will keep on staying each time I do come. So what can I say....... Keep up with the wonderful job that all the staff & just everyone that are involved with the Novotel on Darling Harbor. I just LOVE IT! See Ya. Anna Riccio.

Dreadful

If you like rude staff, this will be your perfect break. The staff were very rude to all English guests. Find a hotel without search a huge chip on thier shoulder if youe English. Dreadful!

The Ultimate expierence

While this hotel is extremely overpriced, it offers an exceptional

hotel experience. Every Darling Harbour room captures floor to ceiling

views of the entire Sydney skyline. Recently refurbished, the hotel

features a soaring atrium, and the bar and dining area are alongside a

two story glass panel, filling the area with breathtaking views of the

city. Views from every position within the hotel would have to be one

of the finest throughout Sydney.

Room interiors are fresh and luxurious, making guests feel very superior. The only problem with the hotel, is the extremely poor room service and minimal inclusions for the room price. The hotel does not include free monorail tickets anymore, and they charge extra for parking space beneath the hotel.

However, the hotel is also very well located, and is connected directly to Darling Harbour, the monorail and the train station.

With a vibrant, luxury and modern atmosphere, Novotel Hotel on Darling Harbour makes guests feel special. A vital ingredient to getting the most from your Sydney experience.

Ryan Goldie

Very good choice

Visited a couple of nearby hotels before settling on this one for its lobby and general outside appearance and location. Checked out room first, also. Proved to be the right approach. View of Darling Harbour was terrific! Breakfast was unsurpassed. You can walk into a huge shopping area and the quaiside resturants of Darling Harbour. Also adjacent to the monorail train which takes you to many of the great tourist attractions of the area, including the fabulous shopping in the Queen Vic Bldg downtown. Lots more, also! Would recommend it strongly to any first-time tourist.