Novotel Auckland Ellerslie

Breakfast was a real plus. There was a good range of breads and jams, the pancakes were especially nice, and I could ask the kitchen to make things the way I wanted. Everything we tried tasted good. We stayed a couple of nights in a tidy room with two queen beds. The hotel was okay and had the basic amenities. The bathroom got very foggy when we showered, and from our first-floor window we could see bird droppings all over the roof. It's right by the motorway and fairly close to the CBD. I'd recommend it for either business or leisure.

The beds were comfortable, and when the hotel car park filled up, there was more parking right next door. The staff were all lovely. Our room was clean, though some bathroom fittings were old and worn, which seemed about right for our budget. Breakfast was better than at some places we've stayed, but still just passable. It was a good stay.

All the food was tasty, but it didn't quite match how it was described on the menu, and it felt expensive for what we got. We'd picked Acacia restaurant and bar for the steaks, then found the restaurant wasn't opening and we were seated in the bar by a TV showing sports. The staff were lovely, but only bar food was available. The room was so cold that I had to get a hoodie from the car, although other diners were wearing shorts. We expected more from a Novotel for a special date out with my husband.

The hotel felt cozy, and the staff were very accommodating. I had a great experience overall. A few things could be better: the breakfast buffet selection was small during our stay, the coffee came out a bit cold, and the elevator made creaking noises that were a little scary.