Novotel Sydney Rockford Darling Harbour

Unacceptable and hostile service – Power-tripping staff Around 1:30 AM on July 1st, 2026, I was waiting in my car in the hotel driveway to pick up a friend who was staying at this establishment. She was finishing a meal in the adjacent building and had asked me to wait downstairs at the hotel so she could quickly go up to her room, grab some belongings, and leave with me. The hotel driveway is extremely wide, and I pulled all the way over to the side, ensuring I wasn't causing any obstruction. At 1:30 in the morning, the area was completely deserted, and not a single car passed by. Yet, after I had been waiting quietly for about 30 minutes, a staff member (an Asian male in his 40s) rudely and forcefully ordered me to leave, claiming I would be charged an absurd fee of $55 AUD if I stayed. Because of this aggressive eviction, I had to contact my friend and drive all the way to an adjacent street just to wait for her in the dark. This employee completely abused his minor authority on a massive power trip to satisfy his own ego, utterly ruining the convenience for a paying guest and her visitor. Completely unprofessional. I will never spend a single cent at this establishment.

This is my second stay at Novotel Sydney Darling Square - both stays were over a week. Pluses: great location near the Chinese Gardens, amazing cafes and restaurants, shopping and markets. Close also to public transport. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. Beds are comfortable, though my pillows were a tad firm. Nice, large, non-cluttered desk for work, and I especially enjoyed the lounger in my room where I spend time relaxing and reading. Shower has great water pressure. Pool very nice and service pleasant and responsive. All in all, a great experience both times. Only one quirk. When I arrived on this visit the pleasant front desk clerk advised me that I had been "upgraded" to a room overlooking the Chinese Gardens. I had a quick flash of a memory. I'm fairly certain he was the same individual who checked me in on my last visit and said the same thing. Either I'm very lucky, or this wasn't really a thing. My experience this time suggested the latter. My "upgraded" room, on the 3rd floor, was next to the lift. I did not really have a view of the Chinese Gardens, though I certainly could hear the road noise on this side of the building. Given I am a light sleeper, I asked for a room change. Ah. It was the last night of Vivd, and all the other rooms were booked, but I could move the next day. Hmmm. So, not much of an upgrade then. The next day I was kindly moved to a room on the other side of the building, which proved pleasant and quiet. A small thing, but suggesting "upgrades" is unnecessary in a hotel that speaks for itself.

Very surprised how good this hotel was - rooms refurbished and very clean. Hotel facilities in great condition. Two small issues - only one person working at reception during check in causing a long queue and you do hear some noise from the adjacent road. Regardless this didn’t take away from our stay - very enjoyable.