Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific

Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific is the largest hotel in the Manly Beach area and consequently has a bustling vibe. The hotel looks typical of a chain property both inside and out, with a boxy tan exterior and a slightly more luxurious lobby with marble floors, soft cream walls, and dark wood pillars and desks. There's a small but colorful children's play area right next to the check-in desk, with a couple of computers and a printer just opposite. The lobby lacks a proper seating area, although the lobby bar provides a good spot for guests to congregate, with dark wood furnishings, modern basket-like lamps, and gray couches and chairs with playful floral patterns and red throw pillows. The hotel's beachside location and family-friendly atmosphere make it a good choice for families on beach vacations, but there are also plenty of meeting rooms for business travelers, and the overall vibe is more professional than surfer. Meeting rooms are efficient and simple with gray and beige decor, and include a lovely terrace with ocean views. 

The Novotel is located in Manly, a beachside suburb in Northern Sydney. The hotel itself is right across the street from the beach, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants within walking distance. While the area is relaxed, it may not be ideal for those wanting to spend the bulk of their time visiting urban attractions. Ferries depart from Manly Wharf, a 10-minute walk away, and it's a half-hour boat ride to Circular Quay -- a jumping-off point for many of Sydney's main attractions, including Sydney Opera House and The Rocks neighborhood. It's a 20-minute drive to Taronga Zoo, and getting there doesn't involve crossing into the city center. Bondi Beach is a 30- to 40-minute drive from the hotel. The Central Business District is about a 25-minute drive, or up to an hour during rush hour. The airport is a 35-minute drive away. 

The Novotel has 213 rooms and suites in total, all of which have flat-screen TVs, work desks, and floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as balconies. Decor is rather generic and standard across room types: brownish carpeting, wood laminate furniture, black-and-white photographic prints, and blue and gray fabrics on seventies-style chairs and bed runners. Some rooms are slightly dated or show wear and tear. All rooms are air-conditioned, and have large wardrobes, irons/ironing boards, electric kettles for making tea or instant coffee, and minibars. Standard bathrooms have brown tiled floors and walk-in showers -- and little counter space. Ocean View Rooms, and Suites with full kitchens and dining areas are available. 

The Novotel is a combination business and leisure hotel with 10 function rooms, including a ballroom for up 550 people, conference rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and an oceanfront terrace. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for a fee, and on-site parking costs extra. As with all Australia Novotel properties, the hotel has a play area for kids in the lobby. There's also a rooftop lap pool with plush lounge chairs, beach views, and a small whirlpool. The fitness center, Manly Health Club, is located outside of the building and around the corner, while exercise classes are held in a bright studio near the pool area. The gym is fantastic, with lots of free weights and benches, plus Life Fitness weight-training equipment, rowing machines, and a wall of treadmills. Membership for non-hotel guests is also available.

The hotel has a restaurant and lobby bar, and there's a Japanese street-food restaurant on the ground floor of the building. The main restaurant, Zali's, serves buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has a small, enclosed patio for alfresco dining. Cuisine is mainly seasonal Australian, but includes varied mezze plates, including bugs marinated in chermoula, a North African marinade. The lobby bar -- decorated with pinkish plaid carpeting and retro leather sofas -- is open throughout the day, stays open late on Friday and Saturday nights, and has pinball machines. For a hip, less traditional dining experience, guests can try the independently owned Daniel San, situated in the same complex. The restaurant specializes in Japanese street-food, from meat skewers to sushi, sashimi, and steamed buns; desserts include milk- and white-chocolate tofu. Daniel San's rooftop dojo has views of the treetops and sea in the distance.