The Novotel Devonport is a modern hotel located in the heart of Devonport, Tasmania. On 11th February 2023, I had the opportunity to stay at the hotel for the Symphony on the Waterfront and I was thoroughly impressed with my experience. In this review, I will highlight the various aspects of my stay, from arrival to breakfast, and provide my thoughts on the hotel’s facilities, staff and dining.
Arrival:
Upon arrival at the hotel, the lobby was quite busy with guests checking in. The check-in process was smooth once a new staff member was available to assist me. I was presented with my room key and complementary welcome drink vouchers. The check-in staff were friendly and provided great customer experience.
The Room:
I stayed in a standard room with two queen beds. The room was modern, spacious and clean. I was greeted with a plate of chocolate chip shortbread biscuits and a welcome card, which was a nice touch. The room came with a selection of teas, coffees and two small containers of Pauls branded full cream milk.
The bathroom was large and had a walk-in rain shower and wall-mounted soaps and shampoo, which was environmentally friendly. The beds were firm and comfortable and the room was well soundproofed from the outside noise. I had a great night’s sleep and the view from my room was a beautiful combination of the CBD and River.
Additionally, the Novotel Devonport has thoughtfully added USB charging ports on some of the power points and on the reading lamps, making it easier for guests to stay connected and keep their devices charged throughout their stay. This added convenience is a great touch and shows the hotel’s commitment to providing a comfortable and modern experience for its guests.
Room Tour:
We have created a virtual walkthrough of the hotel room so you can see exactly what the room looked like when we arrived.
The Hotel:
The Novotel Devonport is a large hotel that features two elevators, a limited on-site carpark (which can get full on busy days), a restaurant, a gym and a meeting room. The hotel’s access methods could use some improvement, as there is no staircase that can be used in non-emergency situations. This means guests are forced to use the elevators, which can cause long wait times when the hotel is busy. The elevators cannot be called to the same floor at the same time, which added to the wait time.
Mr Good Guy Dining:
I dined with my family at Mr Good Guy, and unfortunately, our meals came out cold, which was a let-down. Two of us sent our meals back to be heated, but they were only slightly warmer.
The food was nice, but the issue with cold meals needs to be addressed as this has happened in my previous lunch review and this resulted in two of my party members did not want to return.
The Staff:
The staff were friendly and provided great customer experience. They were always willing to assist with any requests or questions.
Facilities:
The hotel’s gym was surprisingly good and offered enough equipment for a good workout while on holiday. The gym was modern and even had a large TV on the wall. The hotel also offered towels and a water dispenser, although there was no rubbish bin, which was a bit inconvenient. The hotel has a modern meeting room that was not used during my stay, but it is available for meetings.
Breakfast:
The Novotel offers four breakfast options: buffet breakfast, continental breakfast, take away breakfast menu, and room service breakfast. I chose the buffet breakfast, which cost me $22.50 (it may be more expensive without a membership).
The breakfast offered a wide range of options including hot foods like bacon, eggs, pancakes and more, as well as cereals, breads and pastries, fruits, cold meats, and yogurt.
The buffet breakfast also included a hot drink. If you like having a big breakfast, it is good value for money. However, if you prefer a smaller breakfast, you may want to consider one of the other options or a local café.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Novotel Devonport is a large and modern hotel located in the heart of Devonport, Tasmania, next to the New Waterfront Park precinct and just a minute’s walk from the Devonport CBD and market square precinct. The location, quality and facilities offered by the hotel make it a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable stay in Devonport.
Although there were some issues with the food at Mr Good Guy and the elevators during busy times, the staff, room and facilities more than made up for it. I would highly recommend the Novotel Devonport for your next stay in Tasmania.
Editorial Note:
I am an Accor member so the room was commentary and I received a few extra benefits for being a member. This review was not sponsored and is completely unbiased.