Central Sydney hotel gets a new life (again)

The place: Novotel Sydney City Centre

Check-in

In the bustling (at least during the day) north of Sydney’s CBD, the hotel is just a block from Wynyard Station, making the airport train an excellent option for getting here. One of my bugbears of hotel check-in is how long it takes – checking in for a flight is typically far quicker and easier. The Novotel overcomes this with kiosks (the first Novotel in NSW to offer this) so you can easily check yourself in, though there’s no wait when I arrive so a member of the reception quickly hits a few buttons for me, gets me to digitally sign and I’m on my way to my room in seconds.

Check-in is quick and efficient.

It’s part of a concept the hotel calls “hypothesis”, which is aimed at reducing waste – not just the physical type, but time and space too. On this latter point, it certainly succeeds.

The look

The property had previous lives as a Travelodge and a Mercure.

The hotel has gone through several iterations, previously as a Travelodge before becoming a Mercure and now a Novotel after a $20 million revamp. The interior design by Australian firm Dezign has introduced features such as mood lighting, natural materials including timber finishes and stone elements, and live plants in every room.

That said, facilities are a little on the basic side. There’s a gym on the 21st floor (offering nice views), a bar and restaurant on the ground floor but little else.

The room

A superior king room.

I’m in a superior king room with balcony, which is one of the largest on the property. As the name suggests, it comes with a king-size bed, but the room is large enough so the bed doesn’t feel like it fills too much space.

There’s an L-shaped couch in the corner with a round table that doubles as a work desk (I like the fact that the circular table’s legs are cut out on one side so they don’t get in the way of your own legs). There’s an enormous TV – perhaps a little too big for the size of the room – and a small mini bar.

You won’t forget your clothes thanks to the see-through wardrobe doors.

The trend in hotels these days is to replace wardrobes with open hangers, which (aside from saving costs on the furnishings) help ensure guests don’t forget items of clothing. But they can look a little messy. The Novotel overcomes this by having a wardrobe with lattice work doors you can see through. It’s a nice touch. The bathroom is spacious enough, with a large shower but no bath. Toiletries are by French spa brand Deep Nature.

The food

‘British-influenced’ Birdie restaurant.

Birdie Bar and Brasserie is located on the ground floor and the menu features a phrase rarely seen in modern restaurants: “British influenced”. Of course, British cuisine has come a long way but few of the dishes on the menu seem to be UK-centric beyond being pub favourites such as schnitzel or waygu beef burgers. The exception is my choice – barramundi fish pie. Breakfast is a buffet with all the hot and cold dishes you’d expect.

Stepping out

As the hotel’s name suggests, you’re in the centre of the city and only a short walk from some of Sydney’s highlights such as the Royal Botanic Gardens (15 minutes), Martin Place (five minutes), Circular Quay and The Rocks (10 minutes). The latter is home to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, home to more than 4500 works and the only public museum in the country dedicated to modern art. Entry is free. See mca.com.au for current exhibition details.

The verdict

It’s an older building, but the refurbishment and rebrand has breathed new life into this central property.

Essentials

Rooms start from $250. See novotelsydneycitycentre.com.au

Highlight
The service is unfailingly friendly and helpful whether it’s at reception, breakfast or dinner.

Lowlight
As my balcony room is on the third storey, there’s little view to be enjoyed unless I care to peer in the windows of the office workers opposite.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer stayed as a guest of Novotel Sydney City Centre.