Novotel Wollongong Northbeach — Hotel in Wollongong City Council

We thought that we had booked online, but when we arrived we had to go through the whole booking process again. The lady who booked us in was polite and friendly, she explained to us that the booking is taking longer now due to new systems and that there are more steps to go through. Our room was clean and tidy and all appliances worked. We ordered dinner which took over an hour to arrive and when it did the food was cold. Not long after that the smoke alarm went off and after about five minutes an announcement came through that they were investigating and kept going for a while. We asked for a breakfast card to hang on our door and it was delivered, but when looked on our door the next morning it was still there. So rang in room dining and they delivered our food cold again! On our second day we asked for another breakfast card and the reception guy said that they don't do that anymore, so we told him we had one the day before and he just put us through to in room dining. We asked the lady, who said she would get someone to bring it up to us, but it never came! Lucky for us we went across the road to Diggies and got our breakfast there, and would you believe it was hot and delicious. Just wanted an orange juice and after an hour and three phone calls to in room dining the lady brought it to our room and gave it to us free of charge with an apology for taking so long! Our bed was comfortable and showers hot. On our Sunday night stay at around 4pm we were disturbed by very loud music and we just thought it was someone having a party, no problem with that until it kept going until around 9pm. We informed reception and they told us that the police have been called. A man had set up 10 speakers on the forecourt of the beach across the road and was just sitting there with his phone blasting music. We couldn't hear our TV! The cleaning ladies were friendly and helpful with our needs. However we had no tissues on arrival and insufficient toilet paper. We left not wanting to waste our time checking out. Later that day we received a phone call from Harry telling us that the card we used to book online declined payment. We have had no previous problems or subsequent problems with that card. Gave him another card number and everything was fine. He was respectful and courteous. Seemed like we had dramas our entire stay! We will not be staying at Novotel North Beach again. We are very disappointed with our two night...

Hotel Review: Novotel Wollongong Northbeach Rating: 3.5/5

Stayed here recently with the family and had a mixed experience. Here’s a breakdown:

Room - 3/5 We booked a room with a city view and two double beds. The room itself was clean, and the beds and pillows were very comfortable. The bathroom was spotless, which we appreciated, but the shower head was broken and leaked water from the base, which made showering a bit messy. Also, being on level 5, our "city view" turned out to be more of a rooftop view, which was disappointing.

Lobby - 4/5 The check-in process was smooth, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The lobby and bar/restaurant area looked stunning - modern, well-decorated, and had a great atmosphere. However, service was clearly understaffed. There was only one person handling the bar, taking and delivering orders, and making coffees. We waited about 15 minutes just for a drink.

Pool - 3/5 The pool area was visually great - stylish decor, comfortable daybeds, and a mini bar, which initially drew us in. Unfortunately, the water was too cold for a relaxing swim, and when we went there at 1:30pm, the bar wasn’t even open. No staff, no music, and no ambience - it felt like a missed opportunity for such a nice space.

Breakfast - 4/5 Breakfast was not included in the room rate and had to be paid for separately. The food spread was quite good with a decent variety. The pancake machine was a fun and popular hit with the kids. However, the coffee was a let down - it came from pods, and if you wanted a proper barista-made coffee, you had to pay extra.

Location - 5/5 This is where Novotel truly shines. It’s right across from the main beach and within walking distance to cafes, a large park, barbecue facilities, and a fantastic kids' playground with big open spaces and activities like zip-lining. Pepes on the hotel compound was a great spot too - we only tried the tacos during happy hour, and they were large in portion and absolutely delicious. Drinks were well-priced and the overall vibe was casual and fun.

Overall - 3.5/5 Novotel Wollongong Northbeach has a fantastic location and beautiful spaces, but the experience was let down by inconsistent service and small details that could easily be improved. Paying extra for daily wifi is definitely a rip-off. With more attentive service and better facilities management, this could be a standout...

Stayed here for a night with my family, and things started off well. Check-in was smooth, the location is excellent — right on the water — and the team at the front desk were initially warm and welcoming. For a hotel of its size, the lifts are also surprisingly efficient, which is a small but appreciated detail.

The rooms themselves are fairly average for the price — nothing fancy, but comfortable enough for a short stay.

However, the key reason we chose Novotel Wollongong was for the on-site EV charging. After a drive from Sydney, we planned to charge our vehicle overnight before the return trip. Unfortunately, that plan fell apart when we returned to the hotel around 9 PM to find that all four EV charging bays were occupied — three by petrol vehicles.

I brought this to the attention of guest services and spoke to a staff member named Trang. Unfortunately, instead of offering solutions, I was met with phrases like "There’s not much we can do" and "I’ll do my best." When I asked if the hotel could identify the petrol vehicle owners (since guests register their cars upon arrival via QR code), I was told the hotel wasn’t responsible for the carpark.

What followed was a frustrating and dismissive interaction. The only “solution” was a vague offer to call me at some point in the night if a spot opened up — not exactly helpful when you’re trying to relax, sleep, and enjoy your stay. When I expressed my frustration, I was met with, “What would you like me to do then?” — a question that, frankly, shouldn’t have to be asked. A better response would’ve involved taking some initiative or at least showing empathy for the situation.

For a hotel under the Novotel banner, that kind of indifference is a letdown — especially as more and more guests rely on EV infrastructure when choosing where to stay.

If you don’t drive an EV, you’ll likely enjoy your stay. But if EV access is a key part of your travel plans, I’d recommend looking elsewhere — or at the very least, don’t count on the chargers being available, monitored,...