Novotel Melbourne Airport

We booked this new hotel out of curiosity and trust of large brand, but quite disappointed The hotel located at an area outside t4, next to the big parking building/bus terminal, but there are no/minimum signage/directions leading to the hotel, while only one arrow at the bus terminal pointing at the big building with the large novotel logo, making everyone thinks that we can access the hotel through the well lighted bus terminal with ease, but sadly there is no crossing facilities between the terminal and hotel, you will need to lift your luggages, jaywalking through two car lane and climbing up the lane islands if you dont want to walk back 200m for the unnoticeable correct route; in fact the only route leading to the hotel from the airport is the side walk OPPOSITE to the big arrow with poor lightings and no signage at all. As a tourist with heavy luggage, thanks for offering the chance to weight lifting. When we arrived and reflect the problem, concierge said they also received similar complains. So nothing has been done to correct the nonsense and good luck to all the up coming visitors. The room is decent to be honest and with a clear view facing the car park building we mentioned earlier, no much to see yet no problem for us too. Bed is soft and comfortable allowing us to have some good rest. However, theres an empty black bottle in the rubbish bin i believed to be the leftover from the last guest, hope the housekeeper can have a closer look in the future. Some facilities have great designs that i would like to greet the designer/procurement and admire their mastermind for installing those equipment and challenge the wisdom of humankind. For instance: the anti-intuitive shower switch for change to top shower or handheld shower head, it is semi cylinder disguised as part of wall mount of the top shower, which is about 1.9m - 2m from the ground, for those who cant find the switch and not tall enough will have to stick with what was preset. Second, the hot water dispenser at the breakfast bar, you can simply press the two buttons on top and nothing would happen, turns out there is an extra sensor you need to block with your thumb and use another finger to press the buttons on top, this can encourage guests to give up on the hot water if no one is around to ask. The breakfast is the most disappointing part, frankly all quality are high standard but the choices are few and basic, simply bacons/ eggs/ veges/ salad/ hams (well the mushrooms are very impressive though), there is also a honey hive (with a rectangular frame) but mostly empty at the middle (at the time of 7am) where the side are hard to spoon out, ppl try very hard but the loose stands make it even harder to spoon out, the frame eventually collapse and guest gave up to take the hive. No staff notice/try to fix the collapsed honey hive/ change to a new one during my whole breakfast ( around half an hour) and remain the same when we left. The pancakes supposed to be eat with the honey are dry and inedible imo too. The price for the hotel is not cheap comparing to the nearing but the standard does not meet up with the price, facilities are new and thats the only advantage on the table. PS: the hotel offer free shuttle to the terminals too, try to mention and book for your shuttle as there are only 3-4 seats if everyone have large luggages, otherwise the concierge will be surprised you did not ask for this hidden service with no mentioning during check in and no timetable ever provided when you check with them in the morning.

Great hotel near to the airport and fantastic rooms. Staff could be a little faster in supporting travellers who are looking for a short airport stay before heading off on another flight. Great room though had we been staying longer.