The Little National Newcastle - great hotel, great price, great location

My daughter and I went up to Newcastle overnight recently to tour at the University. We were arriving late afternoon and the tour was at 10am, so we were after something functional but with some degree of privacy (from each other).

Having stayed at the Little National in Canberra by myself, I thought I'd give the Newcastle one a try. In part because it was substantially less that the other  2 bedroom choices I was looking at. 

I opted for the The Apartment so we both had our own bed and 'room' of sorts - my daughter was on the fold out sofa in the louge, but both of us had our own tvs, and shared a bathroom (and kitchenette).

The Little National Hotels, to counter the small rooms communal spaces to stretch out in. Newcastle has a lounge with a bar - the Happy hour was busy, and that could have been the lure of the $12 cocktails and other drinks on offer or the free Welcome drink for Club members, but it also has a 'library' with a quiet lounge, free tea and coffee and work pods that can be booked. More details are on their website here.

The gym was a big gym with plenty of equipement, but as there were people in there, I didn't take photos. (See on their website here). They also have electronic bikes for hire and there's an 11km walkway/cyclepath on the foreshore across the road. There's also a great kids playground just up that pathway, so there's plenty of ways to exercise and burn up energy if there for a few days.

If you are there for awhile, or not wanting to eat at one of the many restaurants within a few minutes walk in Honeysuckle, there are public BBQs with water views.  

While they do offer a limited range of room service, one of the excellent extras is a card in the room explaining how to doordash/uber eats your dinner and they'll bring it up with cutlery and crockery to the room. You aren't limited for choice, but still expereince hotel service.

My room also had a clothes washer/dryer, so if there for business for awhile, there's no problem. 

If we return to Newcastle, this would definitely be my choice to stay. Comfort of the guest is foremost, and it shows in all the thoughtful touches. The coffee machine in the room, T2 tea and chocolates for the evening. Even the hotel magazine had quality articles, on AI and current events, not just tourism and the chain.  As well as the usual toiletries, they also had bath salts for the luxurious tub for that extra indulgence.

It is well worth joining their Club, as there are a range of benefits including discounts and a free drink. However, as I hadn't noticed that option,  we booked with Booking dot com and our rate included parking and a $35 breakfast voucher. Breakfast is at the cafe on site, the fabulous Cafe Monte, and was excellent. I had an unbelievable special of brussel sprouts and bacon hash and it was sensational!

This is not a paid post. I've not been this impressed with a hotel set up in a long time, so I wanted to get the word out. Part of the Doma hotels, this property really is a cut above the usual standard. I couldn't not fault a single thing in this hotel, from value for money to luxury and guest enjoyment.

Practicalities:

The Little National Newcastle

Cafe Monte

Further Reading:

Hickson Street Lookout

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