Novotel Melbourne On Collins

Location

Great room.

Poor staff knowledge and overall performance

The location

Upon arrival the concierge gave us the keycard to someone else’s room so we walked in on other guests which was embarrassing and extremely unprofessional. She did give us complimentary breakfast the next morning so that was something. Two out of the three lifts were out of order, the hotel needs updating, our bathroom vanity was completely cracked.

The location was great, that's really the only thing I particularly liked, to be honest.

There was only one working lift (out of 3!), which was always packed, the room was dingy, ugly, super basic and looked NOTHING AT ALL like the pictures that were on the page with the booking, which is incredibly deceptive and false advertising. This was not a budget hotel, but I've had much better stays in way cheaper places. The decor was trashy and gross, the bedding was an UNCOVERED doona with a bottom and top sheet (so disgusting!), and the lobby looked like the last place I'd ever want to sit down for a drink. The entrance on the street feels like a weird brothel vibe, almost. And the hotel parking across the road was super scary to drive into - down a very tight laneway, down another spiral ramp that was really narrow, and with tiny parking spots - I was terrified with the rental car. I'm actually shocked how bad it was. I paid quite a bit of money for two nights at a decent hotel with my partner, and ultimately left feeling like I wish I'd just stayed at a budget place - we'd have enjoyed it more. Would not recommend. Go elsewhere! Side note: There was a funny moment in the very crowded lift when people were grumbling about it being so packed - an old boomer guy proclaimed to the entire lift "This hotel's been going DOWN THE GURGLER, I tell ya!" I hadn't been there before, but definitely wouldn't return or ever recommend it to anyone.