“Nice hotel, but an outdated smelly room”

Impressive looking public/pool areas of the hotel, and a short walk from shopping/eating. The hotel staffed tour personal in the lobby that were very helpful booking daily activities. They were great about changing plans when the weather didn't agree with taking a tour. A porter for luggage storage/transport to/from your room was helpful. A shuttle bus to/from the hotel is $15 (for 2 people), while a quicker 10 min taxi is $20. The hotel is far enough away from any of the "backpacker" crowd, but close to the mango trees where the fruit bats dwell. They are harmless, and very noisey...night/day. The back entrance walk is covered with their debris. My only problem was the condition of the room. The over all condition of the room was not correct for a hotel with this rating. First impression is the strong musty smell of the room. They use "throw pillows" on the bed that just stink of moisture. I had to change rooms to get a second that didn't smell as bad. Old looking furniture. The bathroom had old tiles/tub that need to be redone. There is a nice looking cabana style bar at the pool that seemed to always be closed. The breakfast was overpriced for what they had. We found a great little "pot pie" cafe a good walk away on another road. They had 30-40 different choices for under $5 AUD...and all were tasty and filling.

“Good Central Hotel”

A good well located hotel. Helpful staff and nice pool. Rooms were very clean fair size, with ussual mini bar, tv etc. Bath rooms are a little dated but clean and pleasent. The internet was free in the lobby which worked on some of our laptops and not others. However internet was extremely slow. Room internet was rediculously expensive, from memory about $11 an hour. As we were there for 6 nights, I bought a wireless Optus dongle for $30 and it worked fine. The dinners were a bit bland or over cooked. However the table staff were excellent. Tour desk staff knowledge varied from excellent to useless.

“High level of customer service”

The staff at this hotel bent over backwards to assist with whatever I asked. You just have to ask.

“Good value for money”

Quiet and good facilities. Excellent attention from the staff

“I'd stay again”

Room was nice, however a little dated and had a musty smell. You didn't notice it after being in the room for a few minutes. I ate at the resturant which was nice.

“simple hotel with pleasant service and good facilities”

Hotel was in a great location for exploring cairns and free parking was great. the hotel reception and dining areas all made a good first impression. However, the rooms were too small, and the bathrooms felt dated. all the staff we encountered were perfectly helpful.

“A little disappointing this time”

This was probably our tenth stay at this hotel in Cairns, and I was a little disappointed. My husband & I stay here to get away from the noise of a busy city - for relaxation by the pool, to read & sleep - however the place was full of children, splashing and screaming in the pool & running around. Now I know to stay clear of holidays & long weekends! Not that I mind being around kids, but it was a little too much. We didn't choose a pool view room this time, so our room faced the mountains which was fine, but we were in a room right next to the elevators, and the kids running up and down the corridor from breakfast at 7am woke us every day! Request a room away from the lifts. I noticed there was mould on the desk chair too - which turned me right off. On our last day there, our room wasn't made up by housekeeping when we returned at 3pm in the afternoon. We rang the front desk and they advised us that they would have housekeeping do it at 4.30pm. When we returned at 6pm the room still wasn't made up, so we advised reception again, and someone came up straight away, but they didn't offer us any drink vouchers or anything special to entertain us for 30 mins or so - we had to spend our own money in the bar - not very good service in my opinion - especially as we are regulars in the hotel! Very disappointing! We are returning to Cairns in July for a week, however I think we may consider staying at another hotel.

“turn off”

I choose this hotel because i was convinced by the rate of the hotel as a 4 andhalf star when i arrived in the hotel my expectation was to say WOW!!! but instead what the.....My husband and I travell a lot and stays at beautiful hotel i was not convince that this hotel is a 4 1/2 star it looks like a 3 star hotel. The bed is not so confortable its old the sheets are old the pillow is hard as i want my money back and stay at a better hotel. i like cairns im going back but not at this hotel unless they change the look and the bed must be better then my bed in my house. C'mon we are in Australia we expect more in a 4 1/2 hotel. Im an accor member and i support the hotel but if i come to a long trip and go back to my room i want my bed to be the most confortable bed so i could relax. We are not impressed at all

“Each to their own, but not for us.”

Staff were helpful and the pool was great for kids but,the beds were so soft they were like quicksand. Rooms could at least have a toaster so the kids could have something to eat first thing in the morning. Surely with the prices charged Novotel could afford it !! A little run down in parts and maintenance was lacking.