Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Good central location
Friendly staff
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Poor communication during emergencies

Categories

Cleanliness
5.61
Mixed reviews; sheets felt dirty after multiple days.
Service
8.58
Staff were generally helpful, but there were issues with room readiness.
Location
9.12
Nice central location with easy access to trams and walking distance to amenities.
Room Quality
6.57
Rooms were neat and clean but dated; some issues reported with bedding.
Amenities
6.6
Pool amenities lacked staff presence; overall underwhelming experience.
Value for Money
7.06
Not much value perceived considering the overall quality and service.
Food and Beverage
7.61
Breakfast was decent but the coffee and service were noted as lacking.
Overall Experience
8.08
Overall experience was mixed; location is great but many issues reported.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 17:33

Property Description

Renovated Indoor Swimming Pool, Hot Tub, and Sauna
Novotel Canberra boasts a newly renovated indoor swimming pool, a luxurious hot tub, and a relaxing sauna for guests to enjoy during their stay. Whether you want to take a refreshing dip, unwind in the bubbling hot tub, or detox in the soothing sauna, our hotel has you covered.

Convenient Central Location
Situated on the picturesque Northbourne Avenue, Novotel Hotel Canberra offers easy access to the heart of the city. Within a short 10-minute drive, guests can explore Canberra's top attractions, including the Canberra Museum, National Gallery of Australia, and the High Court of Australia. Our prime location ensures that you can make the most of your visit to the vibrant city.

Fitness Centre and Cozy Bar
Stay active during your stay at Novotel Canberra by utilizing our well-equipped fitness centre. After a workout session, head to the cozy bar for a relaxing evening drink with friends. Whether you prefer a cocktail or a mocktail, our bar provides the perfect ambiance to unwind after a day of exploration.

Experience the perfect blend of comfort and convenience at Novotel Canberra. Book your stay now to indulge in our premium amenities and exceptional service.

Important information:

Please note, there is a 1.4% credit card surcharge when using a credit card.
Novotel Canberra offers limited undercover, self-car parking for in-house guests only at $35 per car per day. Due to the limited spaces available, unfortunately parking cannot be reserved or guaranteed. To make your arrival and departure at the hotel easier, there is a drop off area in front of the hotel, where guests can unload luggage with the assistance of luggage trolleys. Alternatively, off-site public parking areas are located close by.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: CBR

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 16 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for AUD 60 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs AUD 32 per day.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.4
Based on 4057 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.61
Service: 8.58
Location: 9.12
Room Quality: 6.57
Amenities: 6.6
Value for Money: 7.06
Food and Beverage: 7.61
Overall Experience: 8.08
R
Rebecca • family_with_children • au
9
A great stay, thank you
Pros:

Its location and its cleanliness

Cons:

Unfortunately we couldn’t get a park underneath the hotel. And the sauna wasn’t working

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
N
Noe • family_with_children • au
3
No need to try that one again
Pros:

The location, the pool was ok

Cons:

- The parking situation: “first in best dressed”, even if you’ve paid, too bad - that’s a $35 gamble, many cars double parked to not miss out making getting out of the parking tricky at best
- terrible elevator, old fashioned credit card key system very susceptible to mobile phone erasing the key and keeping you stuck
- long lines at reception, staff are very low key and inefficient considering the long wait, getting my card rescanned took 25 minutes because of this - only to find out it didn’t work in the elevator again
- Room was old fashioned, old furnishings, old bathtub, decent shower inside bath, but far from nice
- we had organised a spare bed for our daughter, they had not set it up despite acknowledging our request
- No way to open windows for air, despite having a glass door inside our room, it was locked and we were not allowed on the balcony
- breakfast was ordinary, nothing fresh, bad coffee - nice city view and pleasant dining room however

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
N
Nikki • family_with_children • au
4
Overall very disappointing
Pros:

The location

Cons:

Sauna has been retired. Spa was cold. Gym was basic, not even a mat available. The room needed a good deep clean. Staff lacked any warmth or efficiency. Experience topped off by being rudely accused of being responsible for setting off the fire alarm, then not even so much as an apology! Wouldn't choose to stay here again.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • family_with_children • au
4
Good location and reasonably comfortable, but aging facility.
Pros:

Location is good. Facilities are aging.

Cons:

I was charged an unknown charge of $5.07 after checking out. I tried contacting Novatel but they did not respond.

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
L
Lachlan • extended_group • au
10
2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
A
Arghya • family_with_children • au
7
Good value for money with room for improvements especially in breakfast options.
Pros:

Location, staff

Cons:

Breakfast

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
A
Alpha Myriad • family_with_children • vn
5
2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
G
Glynis • family_with_children • au
8
Pros:

Room, bed size and value for money

Cons:

Needs a little bit of a refresher

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
E
El Moussawi • family_with_children • au
3
Pros:

Awful parking situation , rooms very old needs a renovation

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
T
Tamara • solo_traveller • au
10
2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
G
Graham T3 • solo_traveller • au
6
Great location but requires maintenance
Pros:

The staff were amazing , good breakfast and evening meals exceptional.
The location was great , but car parking was hit and miss.

Cons:

No Sauna , currently closed , hot tub was cold day 2..., the room heating thermostat failed , we had a cold room for 2 nights then we were given a portable room heater.

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
V
Victoria • family_with_children • ae
5
Will try another hotel before returning g. Please heat the pool
Pros:

room.was good, Staff friendly

Cons:

We went there for the pool.amd spa and buffet breakfast. Pool and spa was really cold..kids were shivering. Buffet breakfast was average. Couldn't make a cuppa tea. Machine kept locking up for hot water and no milk as the Jugs were empty.

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
R
Ruth • couple • au
3
Disappointed
Pros:

Good location

Cons:

Sauna closed permanently but no indication of that in advance- this was one of the reasons we chose this place.
Breakfast closed early with no prior warning, signs said till 10:30 but staff said they were closing it at 9:30 instead. At $35 per person this is very expensive to not get given it

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • au
8
No cash policy, yet charges you to use a card - not acceptable
Pros:

Great location, very central to Civic.

Cons:

The place openly states "no cash excepted" and then charges you to use a EFTPOS. I believe this is illegal, if they make the choice to not except cash than they should have to pay the fee on the use of EFTPOS. This left a really bad taste in my mouth. Not acceptable. Also Novatel, please put some money back into the property, you hold prime Real Estate in the centre of Canberra and the hotel is looking very tired.

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
K
Kimberly • solo_traveller • au
8
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
L
Lino de Lima • family_with_children • au
7
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
T
Tahlia • family_with_children • au
7
2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
R
Renee • family_with_children • au
6
I normally trust the Novotel name but will rethink after this trip
Pros:

Good location amongst plenty of options for food

Cons:

Our first room was old and dirty with the bathroom sink out in the open room! Nothing like the pictures when I booked.
We ended up with wet carpet possibly from the shower leaking so we got moved to a much cleaner and nicer room.
Parking was a disaster! We ended up spending nearly $100 for 2 nights.
And our room was booked for 4 people (2 adults and 2 kids) but they never leave enough cups for tea and coffee

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
M
Mary • family_with_children • au
9
Pros:

It was excellent. I stayed on the 5th floor, was clean, comfy beds, shower was amazing. Loved tge spa/jacuzzi and fitness room. Kids and loved the hotel. Sadly we didnt have breakfast which was a personal option. The dining or restaurant was clean with great window views. Absolutely loved Novotel. Looking forward to coming back here whenever i am in canberra. Prices was very reasonable

Cons:

NA

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
J
Julian • family_with_children • au
6
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Not very clean. In the hallway there were carpwt stains and their was plastic fork rubbish left on the floor during our whole stay.
The sauna was permanently closed

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee