Novotel Darwin CBD 4 stars

I booked via Qantas, on arrival I showed my Qantas booking. Reception asked for photo ID, I left my drivers license at home, having not booked a hire car. I showed my booking again, they said they would refuse my booking unless I showed photo ID. They made me feel like a criminal. I can fly Qantas without photo ID by just showing my booking. Luckily I have a copy stored in the cloud and was let in. They also wanted a swipe of my credit card, so they could charge me without authority., as if I would do a runner. Again treating me like a criminal, this practice disgusts me. Totally unpleasant start to my holiday. The hot water did not work properly all 4 days, and there was no hot water at all on the last night of my stay. My wife could not have a shower that night. It took about 20 minutes for the water to get warm, I wasted about 1000 litres of water over the 4 days, just to get warm water, it was never hot. The shower is too small as well. Having paid $250 per night, on checkout I was charged $37 per person per day for breakfast, for a simple buffet breakfast. Absolute rip off. Then ripped me off again by charging a credit card surcharge. Novatel, and Accor disgust me, I will avoid as much as possible.

I booked via Qantas, on arrival I showed my Qantas booking. Reception asked for photo ID, I left my drivers license at home, having not booked a hire car. I showed my Qantas booking again, they said they would refuse my booking unless I showed photo ID. They made me feel like a criminal. I can fly Qantas without photo ID by just showing my booking. Luckily I have a copy stored in the cloud and was let in. They also wanted a swipe of my credit card, so they could charge me without authority, as if I would do a runner. Again treating me like a criminal, this practice disgusts me. Totally unpleasant start to my holiday. There was no booklet in the room advising how things work, where they are, or contact details for room service and cleaning etc. DANGEROUS TAPS The hot and cold taps are not marked, just plain chrome. In Australia left is always hot, okay on the basin. The shower taps are one above the other, which is hot? Even worse the hot opens clockwise, the cold opens anticlockwise. So if the water gets too hot (zero chance of getting hot water here), which tap do you move, in which direction, and potentially end up with 3rd degree burns. The hotel should be shutdown until the taps are rectified. The hot water did not work properly all 4 days, and there was no hot water at all on the last night of my stay. My wife could not have a shower that night. It took about 20 minutes for the water to get warm, I wasted about 1000 litres of water over the 4 days, just to get warm water, it was never hot. The shower is too small as well. On one day the shower soap ran out, and I had to use shampoo for half my shower. I could not use the basin soap as it is locked in its holder. Having paid $260 per night, on checkout I was charged $37 per person per day for breakfast, for a simple buffet breakfast. Absolute rip off. Then ripped me off again by charging a credit card surcharge. Novatel, and Accor disgust me, I will avoid as much as possible.

Check in was easy, but the room is very outdated. Carpet in the room was worn and not clean. Stains on the old carpet are visible. Hot water for shower not working in the morning. Breakfast was included but with limited options.

No hot water after 1 night. Management bullshitted and claimed nothing was wrong. Even tho I had a video of the hot water running brown and then stopping.

Great location, staff were attentive and friendly. Room was made up every day Food in the restaurant and the bistro was lovely, service was great.