Live it up in Hamilton’s heart
Lockdown restrictions can’t hamper Stacey Oliver’s enjoyment of the delights that the Novotel Tainu has to offer.
The Novotel Hamilton Tainui Hotel’s newest wing is a contemporary and sleek addition to what is arguably the finest hotel in the city.
The place
The hotel recently opened its newest wing, made up of 40 executive rooms that come with a king bed or the option of two double singles. Nature and Mauri (the soul force) were key drivers in the design for this new wing, which juts boldly over the entrance.
The $13 million, four-level extension to the
41⁄ 2- star hotel was announced in 2017, and was initially expected to be completed in the middle of last year. The hotel in the heart of the city centre opened in 1999, and is operated by AccorHotels, and is Planet 21-certified for sustainability. It now boasts 217 rooms and suites.
The location
The hotel backs on to the Waikato River walkway on Alma St, making it a short walk to the shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants along the city’s main drag, Victoria St.
The transport centre is about a 500-metre walk from the hotel, and a 14-kilometre drive to the airport, for those who are flying in and out.
The space
The new wing of the hotel is hard to miss when you arrive – it overhangs the hotel lobby.
New Zealand’s move to alert level 2 meant things were somewhat different for my hotel stay – following Government guidelines, valet parking was unavailable, and there were signs displayed all over the hotel asking everyone to maintain social distancing and to sanitise.
Stepping on to the fourth floor to find our room, we turn left and walk down the corridor. At the end of the hallway is a floor-to-ceiling window, creating the illusion of swaying.
First impressions of the executive room were that it was beautifully put together with pine, stylish black joinery, and an eye-catching wall feature by the bed.
The wardrobe door doubled as a full-length mirror, next to a coffee and tea station above a mini-bar (which had been emptied as part of some Accor policy). There was also an easy-to-use espresso coffee machine.
The bed was comfortable, with high-quality linen and plush pillows. At the end of the room,
next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, was a wellplaced chaise with a small table and a desk, which created a great little space to sit and relax. Every feature was well thought out, and created a feeling of relaxed sophistication.
The bathroom boasted the same pine and black joinery throughout, with a generous rainfall shower and a brightly-lit bathroom mirror.
A stroll along the river takes you to Victoria on the River, an amphitheatre-style park overlooking the river, with a great vibe, some awesome street art, and an unmissable sculpture called Te Tatau ki Kirikiriroa, meaning ‘‘the doorway to Hamilton.
Nearby is one of Hamilton’s boutique laneways, Riverbank Lane, where you’ll find the popular Duck Island Ice Cream, Browsers secondhand bookshop, Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery, SL28 coffee shop, and the delicious Vietnamese restaurant, Banh Mi Caphe.
A great way to top off any outing in the central city is to grab a frozen treat from Duck Island and settle into a spot at Victoria on the River to enjoy it while gazing out at the fast-flowing river below.
And, of course, you can’t miss Hamilton Gardens, a free wonder that’s suitable for all ages.
Verdict
Novotel’s new executive rooms are designed for the traveller who wants more out of their hotel stay, with plenty to ooh and aah over. The design is contemporary and sleek, while maintaining the warmth that can be lost in hotel rooms. It comes with all the amenities you’d expect from a 41⁄ star hotel, such as easily accessible wi-fi and plush bathroom towels and robes. There were also little hints around the room to emphasise the hotel’s efforts to be more environmentally friendly.
It was a shame about the view, which overlooked buildings, but I imagine if you booked a riverside room it would be much easier on the eyes.
We were treated to an amazing three-course meal at Restaurant on Alma, the hotel’s dine-in restaurant, with our pick of a bottle of a wine and dishes. I had the scallops as a starter, pork belly as the main and creme brulee for dessert. My other half had raw fish, venison, and panna cotta to finish. All the dishes were impeccably presented and tasted delicious. We then retired to our room to relax with a movie.
Another highlight came from the thoughtful, and unexpected, welcome package in our room. It included goodies from Waikato and New Zealand businesses, including Good George cider, a bottle of Yealands wine, beeswax wraps, soap from Raglan Soapery, and a beautifully presented plate of sweet treats .
The writer stayed as a guest of Novotel Hamilton Tainui.