Novotel Auckland Airport 4.5 stars

We have stayed at this hotel many times over a few years & considered it a tried & true but this was our first after it closed due Covid. We checked in online & expected our arrival to be quick & slick. Mistake, the receptionist was morose & almost rude & advised our room was still to be cleaned. That’s fine but as always not what you say etc. We sat in the reception happy to wait sitting right opposite her desk. She was to make a call up to house keeping & advise. Well over the next hour she chatted to at least for members of staff but didn’t leave the desk. After the wait I approached the desk & asked if the room was ready yet. Oh she said I looked all over for you & could not find you at all in reception. Now rule of thumb don’t lie we know. A very bad start

Very understaffed, the staff that were there were very inexperienced and not fit for hospitality. Checkin slow, executive floor is far from executive. Dinner reservations were all messed up and advise on parking I’ll advised. We got offered a bottle of corona from the fridge that was already open with lemon in it. 4 times we asked for no lemon on the corona. 4 times we got lemon. The snack selection in the “executive room 1124” were substandard. Didn’t even get free wifi with the executive room. To check out they wanted our credit card again to get the $100 refund. I presented the card. Then proceeded to tell me we didn’t need it. Thankfully I stayed for breakfast, which ch there was no cutlery and the coffee was poor. The lady then came to me and said yes we need your card for the refund. I didn’t get to finish my breakfast I was too disappointed. For $518 plus not discount on the parking, which was advertised in your website. We won’t stay again. Sadly to say an ibis better

I really liked the kind reception staff. It was closer to the airport than I expected so that was super convenient. My only issue was that there was no parking for your rental car.

My stay was fine. They could upskill on the way they interact with disabled people. I know I use a wheelchair and I have a speech impairment but I do object being spoken to as if I'm unimportant.

Since Covid Novotel has changed and become more expensive with less to offer. No Mini Bar - No water - No toiletries - Very Basic and disappointing