Harbottle Vacations from $1,011

A good hotel. The cosy double is more of a large single

On first impression I was pleased with the hotel, good location and clean. Room was fine. However, I wish I hadn’t paid for breakfast. The buffet breakfast was sparse and poorly maintained. I waited more than 5 minutes for fresh eggs, beans mushrooms and tomatoes. The eggs arrived but nothing else. The food was all very dry. The cereal was decanted into bowls, compared to other holiday inns I have stayed in recently where the muesli is in its own packet. Again, normal experience of the croissants is great, crispy and fluffy but today, crushed and soggy. Then off to get coffee. I made my husbands Americano, then the machine broke. After waiting another 10 minutes I eventually obtained my latte. This was not my expectation nor the norm of the group. Dry disappointing.

Where to start, it was cheaper than most places in Newcastle but still wasn't worth what we paid. No air-conditioning, the kitchen drain smelled terrible, the toilet leaked, there were toenails in the bathroom, originally put in a two bedded room when there was 3 of us, very hot stuffy room, unable to open window properly as there was a chain lock preventing us. Beds were clean and fairly comfy.

This hotel is perfect for people wanting to access the ocean and the fun park which is across the road. I do feel that is a bit tired and needing a makeover. No lift or air-conditioning were a problem for us. But we have learned our lesson and are now specifically booking hotels with lifts and air-conditioning