Novotel Melbourne South Wharf Hotel 4 stars

A conveniently located hotel, especially if you like shopping at DFO. However, trying to find a car park is really hard as the Hotel has a parking deal with the South Wharf shopping precinct. It can be a little tricky finding the carpark and as it was so busy with the cars of shoppers we ended up having to park several levels away from the Hotel. The Concierge suggested that when the shopping centre closed we move the car to a spot right next to the Hotel. We did that which made it so much easier with luggage etc. We had a top floor room and we had sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay and Yarra's Edge. The breakfast was excellent. The bed was wonderful. We had a lovely two night stay here and would stay again. Check-out time is busy with a really long queue. We would have used Express Check-out but we needed to get out parking ticket stamped for the reduced rate - $16 a day.

Very comfortable room. Bed was firm and comfortable. View from the top floor was fabulous. The shower was terrific. The breakfast had a wide selection and was excellent, especially being able to order coffee as we like it. My only gripe was the parking. Sharing the carpark with DFO is pretty ghastly. It was busy and hard to find a park. The lovely Concierge suggested that when DFO closed we could get a parking spot closer to the Hotel - he was right and great advice.

As a Accor member I was extremely disappointed with the lack of customer service provided by the hotel. Being met at the valet entry with two kids and about 10 bags I was told that I can pay $50 and they will park the car and take our luggage or we can park ourselves and Cary our own luggage for $26. When I said but won’t you take our luggage to our room regardless.... I was told that’s not how it works. So after dumping our luggage on the footpath and having my wife struggle with kids and bags while I parked the car. I returned and we made our way up to the checkin, I explained this to the girl on reception and she showed no care for what we had just been told. Then we were told that we still had an outstanding debt of $440 which was incorrect as we had use a free night and prepaid the second night and breakfast, the lady at reception said that we were incorrect and would have to pay. We tried to show her our invoice but she showed no care in even looking at it. She then said that maybe it would sort itself out by the end of the stay.

Having to attend a conference at exhibition centre I looked for accommodation nearby and found the Novotel. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to navigate to. Greeted by staff whom on all occasions were warm, friendly and efficient (especially room service who genuinely seemed happy).

Comfortable, clean and relaxed.