Review: Ibis Styles and Novotel Melbourne Airport

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Hello peeps.

Figured I would burn the last hour of my hop to BNE writing up a review on both the Ibis Styles and Novotel at MEL. Stayed in the Ibis Styles last Friday, and the Novotel last night.

First and foremost, the shared facilities. I didn't manage to get into the gym or the pool: because I am quite frankly allergic to exercise. So someone else can comment there 🙂.

Boccata, the restaurant currently open in the building, do absolutely blinding pizzas. Either I need to explore far more places in Melbourne or I found a gem: these rank well within the top ten pizzas I have had in and around Victoria in eight years (besting Sabatino in Caulfield, and for me, that's high praise).

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Coupled, last night with a Davo Plum aperitivo (which, just as I took my last sip, spied was in an ever so minutely chipped along the rim glass. Cue a freebie secondi!)
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And accompanying the pizza was this delectable Cello Sour. Very light, very refreshing.
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The staff were super lovely. If a little forgetful at applying the A+ discount. Inside tip, if they do, let it slide and point out your bill doesn't seem to have been discounted at reception. Ended up getting my drinks discounted as well...

As for the rooms, well both were lovely. The Ibis Styles can get the first review. Aside from the perhaps slightly too garishly coloured for my taste hallways, everything was pretty splendid. This was a superior king room, if my memory serves rightly. Pretty well kitted out: tiling a teeeeeeensy bit off in the bathroom here and there, but that's really me nitpicking.


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And... to top it off, a choccy airplane!
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Which I missed out on at Novotel - because they were super lovely and bumped me from a room on 5th floor facing the airport to one on the 8th floor facing out towards the city.

The hallway for Novotel was much calmer, so if you're a bit of a clumsy, drowsy sort like me, much easier on the eyes.

And the room wasn't half bad. The rainfall shower was darned welcome this morning.
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Noise throughout the night? Virtually nil apart from the air conditioning occasionally. And given I am super sensitive to bass, for me to get a straight seven hours sleep (especially with my cat) is a dreamy bonus.

These new Accor hotels are super welcome for me at MEL. Well worth trying out.
 
Is it worth paying more for Novotel or Ibis? Based on the pictures the differences appear to be cosmetic.
 
Is it worth paying more for Novotel or Ibis? Based on the pictures the differences appear to be cosmetic.
At the moment, it's cheaper for Novotel on red hot rooms.

If just here for an overnight before a flight? I would say just go to the Ibis.

Caveat: pool and gym aren't included in Ibis price.
 
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Is it worth paying more for Novotel or Ibis? Based on the pictures the differences appear to be cosmetic.
Novotel rooms are slightly bigger and with the RHR offer the Novotel is actually cheaper. The reward points and status point earn is at half rate for Ibis too if that is a consideration
 
Just stayed at the Novotel (free courtesy of my Accor plus!) and fully agree with the above; definitely my preferred place to stay at MEL in future.
 

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