Novotel hotel Parramatta’s special theatre package
Staycations might seem so passe but a visit to a Parramatta hotel still has its perks – especially if you’re a theatregoer.
Parramatta
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Staycations might seem so 2021, but a visit to the Novotel Parramatta proves there’s still fun to be had in your own backyard or for regional guests to take advantage of Sydney’s “second city” and its hotel boom.
On a recent Friday night, the hotel was a very convenient base before we meandered across the road to the Riverside Theatres for the second night of musical Cruel Intentions.
The evening began with a tipple in the hotel’s 350 Restaurant Lounge where a small group of us theatregoers grazed on a sensational gourmet nut mix, a charcuterie board, calamari and polenta-sprinkled fries.
Parched after enduring a sticky Sydney day, the platters were a welcome addition to the Moscato and other beverages to enjoy from the small but well-stocked lobby bar.
Several out-of-towners visiting Sydney to see 1990s musical Cruel Intentions at the city’s only venue for the production would be pleased to lay their head on a comfy pillow at the Novotel, given its proximity.
On a balmy evening, the 35-year-old theatre, which will be redeveloped, hosted FBi Radio DJs and drinks in its courtyard as part of its Festival Gardens, running until March 4.
It’s not necessary to have a ticket for a show to enjoy the atmospheric alfresco spot. If you prefer to enjoy a bevy from the pop-up bar alfresco, go for it and embrace the vibes in the tropical garden setting.
A rotating roster of food trucks will also keep the masses fed from 6pm ‘til late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Most theatregoers are at the Riverside to see Cruel Intentions, which the venue hosts until February 12.
After that, a jam-packed line up continues, starting with Tony-nominated play Choir Boy, circus and burlesque production Matador and a satirical instalment of The Wharf Revue: Looking for Albanese.
We make the most of the courtyard before the show and intermission but once the curtain went down after the musical, we decamped to popular nightcap haunt Bay Vista on Parramatta’s Eat St for pina colada soft drinks and crepes.
The street is buzzing and the decadent desserts are flowing.
When it’s time to turn in, it’s a relief knowing you don’t have to track down your car in one of Parramatta’s limited carparks, call an Uber or find a taxi rank, but simply stroll back to the Novotel.
Awaiting in the mini bar of the king suite room were two bite sized cakes in a well-cooled fridge (the complimentary water bottles seemed to keep cooler than some other hotel fridges where the temperatures don’t seem to drop far enough).
The suite contains a king sized bed, a sofa bed, two televisions and two bathrooms with aromatic family-sized shower gels, shampoos, conditioners and hand washes (good riddance to those tiny handheld soaps at the vanities).
For visitors on business, there is a spacious desk and ample power points. The king suite overlooks the picturesque Prince Alfred Square park, while the steeples from Parramatta’s historic St Patrick’s and All Saints churches can be seen, along with the still dormant light rail tracks slicing through Church St.
It’s also hard to miss the imposing grandstand from CommBank Stadium, which is another drawcard for many hotel guests.
When it comes to hotel stays, buffets still seem to be a novelty and the next morning, we make a beeline for the all-you-can eat area to laden our plates with bacon, scrambled eggs, chipotle chicken sausages and grilled tomatoes.
There is a cereal station, fruit, cheese, a coffee machine and pastry delights for those not up for an English fry-up.
Work off the breakfast at the outdoor swimming pool, which is big enough to churn out some laps or just for an idle frolic.
For a limited time, the Novotel Parramatta has special package of $275 for two adults and includes tickets to see Cruel Intentions, breakfast, parking, a bottle of wine and cheese platter and one night accommodation. Click here to book.
The writer was a guest of the Novotel hotel Parramatta.
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