We Stay Over At A Real-Life Hotel Transylvania In Sydney

By: Grace Titioka, ellaslist

Spiders. Skeletons. Scary monsters. My twin boys have come to an age where they love all things gory and mysterious. Although they were still too small to see the first two Transylvania Hotel movies on the big screen, now that they’re 8 years old, they’ve caught up and familiarised themselves with Mavis, her immortal dad, Drac and his Pack. Both movie soundtracks are constantly on repeat in the car with “I’m in Love with a Monster” as a hot favourite. (Good thing it’s a boppy, fun tune!)

Needless to say, we’ve been anticipating the release of number three ever since its announcement. But instead of just taking them for a normal movie experience, we went that extra monster mile, all in the comforts of our beautiful city of Sydney.

Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania

Novotel hotels are currently running a Hotel Transylvania 3 special. Families can book adjoining rooms where the twin room for the kids is completely decked out in Hotel Transylvania 3 memorabilia. And I mean everything – doona and pillow covers, cushions, blankets, towels and even sleeping masks and even Frankenstein Feet slippers! 

(Scroll down for your chance to WIN a night in the Hotel Transylvania)

Rooms and Reactions

Our children love travelling and the moment we arrive at our destination’s hotel, their joy is palpable. (We’ve lucked out on some nice hotel rooms!) But if more than anything, they just love calling a new place home. They know it’s their abode while they experience new adventures.

We didn’t tell the boys what their Novotel room had in store for them. We wanted first impressions do the talking. And did that room make a huge impression!

The moment they walked in their elation and excitement was completely infectious. They did a little happy dance and immediately tried on their special slippers. Their memorable reaction alone made a great start to the weekend.

Seen And Not Really Heard

Having this weekend being the first time we’ve booked separate rooms for the kids, Novotel Darling Square’s interconnecting rooms were an ideal introduction.  The rooms are situated in the corner of the hotel and while the rooms do not open up to each other, each entrance opens up to a small private common area.

While our kids enjoyed a room of their own with a television to themselves (as did we…score!), we were still able to keep our doors open while keeping the main door to the corridor closed for privacy.

A Monstrous Meal

Dinner at the hotel’s Pier St Kitchen had a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For a hotel restaurant, it was extremely family-friendly. The dishes on the children’s menu were generous portions and it was nice to see the boys’ meal of grilled fish served with healthy vegetables rather than just chips.

Then came dessert. The sous chef was so keen to see the boys’ reaction that he personally came and served the monster cake himself. Complete with a side of ice cream and chocolate spiders and spiderwebs, the boys were again beside themselves!

Retiring back to the rooms, we let the children stay up to watch (surprise, surprise) Hotel Transylvania 2. Seeing them so content, sitting up in their specially decorated beds with their monster eye masks, I’m not sure who found the scenario more amusing…them or me!

Also, as a one television only family, it was a lovely luxury to spend a Friday night watching the big folks’ choice without having to compromise with the children on watching a “Kids and Family” movie.

Streaming services like Netflix and Stan are available on the smart TV’s, making it the perfect Netflix and chill evening for us parents.  Just pass me that glass of red wine with the cheese and crackers, please.

Perfect Sized Pool

After a hearty breakfast back at Pier St Kitchen, we headed to the hotel’s indoor heated pool. Concerned that being a city hotel, the pool would be too small, I was pleasantly surprised finding it the right size for the boys to play “Marco Polo” and me even fit in some laps. And what was supposed to be a quick dip turned out to be an active aquatic morning with just enough time to spare for check out at 11am!

In The Heart Of Sydney CBD

The Novotel Darling Square is located a stone’s throw away from all main Sydney attractions – Chinatown, Darling Harbour ICC (International Convention Centre) and George Street, but from the lack of traffic and street noise, you wouldn’t have known it!

Of course, we had to end the staycation on a Hotel Transylvania high. With just a 10 minute walk to George St Cinemas we took our complimentary family movie pass to finally see the movie and yes, for both parents and kids…it was worth the wait!

Of all the city hotels our family have stayed in, the Novotel Darling Square has to be the most memorable and enjoyable experiences to date. Not only did we give the children a special weekend treat, us parents were also able to enjoy so many little luxuries of a staycation.

When Novotel Hotels offer families 50% off the second room as well as free accommodation and breakfast for children under 16, I can see how a staycation doesn’t have to break the family budget. Families can enjoy the sights and attractions of our home city without the hassle of traffic or car parks.

I’m already pencilling in our next city stay-cay adventure!

WIN a night in the Hotel Transylvania - simply fill out our travel survey for your chance to win!!

 

The Details

  • Accommodation and breakfast are free for 2 children under 16 who share a room with their parents or grandparents.
  • Get 50% off a 2nd room and upon request enjoy late check-out on Sundays.
  • For your Hotel Transylvania 3 family special at the selected Novotel hotels, check out all the details here.

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