It's one of those places you've probably walked past dozens of times without even noticing. But the Novotel Sydney City Centre hotel is aiming to put itself firmly on the traveller map after a $20 million revamp. It's just a few steps from Wynyard Station on York Street in the Aussie harbour-side city.
Here's what it was like. READ MORE: Top five mountains to visit in Japan, beyond the iconic Mount Fuji We don't usually spend much time thinking about hotel check-ins. They're usually not that memorable - unless perhaps they go wrong.
But we were pleasantly surprised to discover the renovated hotel now has handy self check-in kiosks, which are an Aussie first for the brand. All we had to do was type in our name on one of two machine in the foyer to find our booking. Within seconds a hotel room key popped out of the machine.
READ MORE: Cruise expert shares mistake you might be making at the buffet The 283-room hotel is the first in the nation to get the firm's new 'hypothesis' rooms. They aims to generate less waste - including of time - and this move really ticked the boxes. However, should you prefer to speak to an actual person, there are staff at more traditional desks, too.
We were upgraded to a funky and modern junior suite, which can sleep two adults and a child (children aged up to 16 stay for free when sharing rooms with their parents). Families will find the mini kitchens which have a microwave, sink and bar fridge as well as a breakfast bar, really handy for .