Savoy Hotel

I booked six months ahead for a ski trip in Nelson and a romantic getaway with my husband. Just 48 hours before we arrived, I got a call saying the nightclub would be open until 2 am on Friday. They offered two free club tickets, which did nothing for our plans. There was no warning about this possibility on the website, and finding out two days beforehand was incredibly disappointing. I won’t book here again.

Having our families together on the rooftop, with those stunning views, made the wedding day feel special. We booked the whole hotel, so our guests could stay together and we could hold both the ceremony and reception in one place. The common room on the guest floor was great for spontaneous get-togethers, too. Staff were accommodating and available when we needed them. I’d recommend The Savoy for anyone planning a small wedding.

The room and bathroom both felt cramped, and the bathroom door was very dirty on the back. We’d booked two beds since I was travelling with my brother, but they were pushed right beside each other with no gap, which was a ridiculous setup. We also couldn’t use the hot tub because it was booked for our whole stay.

The shower was the worst part. It was really dirty, the hose on the showerhead was coming apart, and the note about the foot pedals not working didn’t help. I turned one control to set the temperature and got in, then used the other one and the water stopped. When I went back to the first dial, it blasted out full hot and scalded me. We left the next day without showering. It was nasty. I told staff, who passed me to the manager. He was very sympathetic and said it was unacceptable and he’d work out compensation. The next day he said the problem was fixed and that we should ask him for the “best available rate” next time. Come on. For another $10 we could’ve stayed at the Hume, and I wish we had. I can see how this place suits a party crowd, but if you want a functional, clean stay and a shower, go to the Hume. It’s gorgeous. Our room wasn’t ready at check-in, though we eventually got in. It had been renovated nicely, but upkeep seemed neglected: the exposed chrome plumbing looked great, while repairs had been done with tarnished copper. I don’t care much about looks, but it gave the impression nobody cared about the place. The sauna and hot tub were nice, and the common area was great. The rooftop patio might be lovely in season, but we couldn’t enjoy it on a dark, rainy November night.