Property: Novotel Darwin CBD
Status: Accor Plus Platinum
Room booked: Standard Twin Queen
Room upgraded/type: Yes - Superior Queen Harbour View
Rate: Accor+ Red Hot Rooms, Room Only ($149.50/night)
Free internet: Yes
Free Breakfast: Yes
Early check in/late out: Early check-in not needed. Late check given to 1 PM (requested 2 PM).
Welcome amenity: 2 bottles of still water, 1 box of the unexpected guest (6 granola bars)
Staying in Darwin as part of a writing retreat for my PhD. Originally booked another hotel in Darwin via Expedia as a fully refundable booking when Shopback was offering 12% cashback. However, I noticed this property go on sale as a red-hot room along with a comparable cash back from CashRewards and decided to rebook this instead.
Arrived late into Darwin on the back of a late night QF flight from SYD. Called the hotel to let them know I'd be checking in late and they said no worries. Sure enough when I got to the hotel around 1:30 AM I was promptly let in and checked in. Inside the hotel packet provided by reception was a drink voucher (i.e. I didn't have to ask for one) which was later redeemed for a bottle of Sprite. I requested a late check out and was told to request that on my last night there where I managed to get a 1 PM checkout. The hotel is located on the Esplanade in the heart of Darwin, so a good choice if you want to explore the city.
The room itself felt fairly modern (aside from the restroom which IMHO could be updated) and quite spacious for a Novotel:
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The property has a pool on-site and an arrangement with a nearby fitness centre to use their facilities.
Free breakfast for Platinums is served at the restaurant from 6:30 AM to 10 AM and is a buffet style:
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One nice thing is the reception at the restaurant was quite attentive offering me a barista coffee on each day for free (i.e. no latte levy).
Given the price paid, the facilities and how I was treated as a valued Accor+Platinum, I would certainly recommend staying here and intend on staying here again (if the price is right).
-RooFlyer88