After some recent stays, a couple of quick thoughts on each of these hotels. Not really a comparison, as they are different scales and budgets.
1. Menzies Hotel, Sydney.
An Accor hotel, a Novotel without the Novotel branding. I stayed in one of their cheapest rooms.
Good:
+ It has excellent access to public transport. The lobby is literally opposite the Carrington St exit/entrance to Wynyard station which, in turn, has direct trains to the airport. There are also busses at the front door
+ Quick check in. I have Accor Silver, which was recognised on check in. In fact, the welcome pack I was given praised me for being a valued "Gold member", and I don't think they were refering to an Austin Powers film. I asked for and was given late check out
+ Good wifi, easy to connect
+ some charming old-world Sydney hotel features
+ room window opens (a bit)
+ Super-quick check-out
+ My room was very clean and everything in good order. It looked (to me) tastefully furnished
+ Bathtub as well as shower
Not so good:
- Possibly the worst hot breakfast buffet in Sydney. Seriously, it was awful. Definitely do not pay for this swill. At least the cornflakes were ok.
- Some of the charming old-world Sydney features translate into shabbiness in some places
- Low floors get street noise. After all, there is a major bus stop opposite.
- No real views. Their 'best views' seem to be of the park over the road.
- Bed was not a king but two singles pushed together. One half was even more saggy than the other. Not very comfy beds, unless you like very soft mattresses.
- Fairly dim room
- only instant coffee in the room
2. Sydney Harbour Marriott
Close to Circular Quay station and bus stops, and an easy quick walk to Wynyard and everything in the CBD. Plenty of taxis waiting outside. I stayed in one of their second-from-bottom rooms: King with harbour view. I didn't eat at this hotel.
Good:
+ Awesome check-in. Was upgraded to a room with a harbour view (reason given: my first time staying there). Quick and easy.
+ Very good room, good size, bright, nice harbour bridge view. Bathroom shower only, but good and well-stocked.
+ Signed up for Marriott Rewards program from in the room. Paid $10 for wifi but this was waived on check-out because of the membership.
+ Room and public areas in excellent order and very clean. Some renovations underway in the lobby but not intrusive or any problem.
+ normal check-out time is a generous 11 am.
Not so good:
- only instant coffee in the room. Actually, I don't mind this.
Finally: Australian hotels always seem very stingy with TV channels; and Routinely charging for wifi seems pretty backward these days.
1. Menzies Hotel, Sydney.
An Accor hotel, a Novotel without the Novotel branding. I stayed in one of their cheapest rooms.
Good:
+ It has excellent access to public transport. The lobby is literally opposite the Carrington St exit/entrance to Wynyard station which, in turn, has direct trains to the airport. There are also busses at the front door
+ Quick check in. I have Accor Silver, which was recognised on check in. In fact, the welcome pack I was given praised me for being a valued "Gold member", and I don't think they were refering to an Austin Powers film. I asked for and was given late check out
+ Good wifi, easy to connect
+ some charming old-world Sydney hotel features
+ room window opens (a bit)
+ Super-quick check-out
+ My room was very clean and everything in good order. It looked (to me) tastefully furnished
+ Bathtub as well as shower
Not so good:
- Possibly the worst hot breakfast buffet in Sydney. Seriously, it was awful. Definitely do not pay for this swill. At least the cornflakes were ok.
- Some of the charming old-world Sydney features translate into shabbiness in some places
- Low floors get street noise. After all, there is a major bus stop opposite.
- No real views. Their 'best views' seem to be of the park over the road.
- Bed was not a king but two singles pushed together. One half was even more saggy than the other. Not very comfy beds, unless you like very soft mattresses.
- Fairly dim room
- only instant coffee in the room
2. Sydney Harbour Marriott
Close to Circular Quay station and bus stops, and an easy quick walk to Wynyard and everything in the CBD. Plenty of taxis waiting outside. I stayed in one of their second-from-bottom rooms: King with harbour view. I didn't eat at this hotel.
Good:
+ Awesome check-in. Was upgraded to a room with a harbour view (reason given: my first time staying there). Quick and easy.
+ Very good room, good size, bright, nice harbour bridge view. Bathroom shower only, but good and well-stocked.
+ Signed up for Marriott Rewards program from in the room. Paid $10 for wifi but this was waived on check-out because of the membership.
+ Room and public areas in excellent order and very clean. Some renovations underway in the lobby but not intrusive or any problem.
+ normal check-out time is a generous 11 am.
Not so good:
- only instant coffee in the room. Actually, I don't mind this.
Finally: Australian hotels always seem very stingy with TV channels; and Routinely charging for wifi seems pretty backward these days.
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