{"id":33672,"date":"2014-07-02T07:43:30","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T21:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/blog\/?p=33672"},"modified":"2015-02-04T14:51:13","modified_gmt":"2015-02-04T04:51:13","slug":"hotel-review-novotel-brisbane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.co.nz\/vc\/blog\/hotel-review-novotel-brisbane\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel review: Novotel Brisbane"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve read many of my blog posts, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking all I do is eat. Case in point my recent trip to the Hunter Valley<\/a>.Yes, it\u2019s true. I have a slight obsession with all things food and wine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The thing with such a \u2018passion\u2019 is that to avoid becoming the size of a house, Monday-to-Friday involves my fair share of carrot sticks, green tea and early mornings pounding the pavement. But hey, it\u2019s a price I\u2019m more than willing to pay for weekends of brie and pinot.<\/p>\n

\"Evidence!<\/a>

Evidence! Just some of my food shots on the blog<\/p><\/div>\n

If you travel for work, you know the temptations of being out of your normal routine mid-week. Hello mini-bar, room service and sleep-ins! A lot of hotels don\u2019t make it easy to keep it healthy but I\u2019ve found one in the Queensland capital<\/a> that does it extremely well: the Novotel Brisbane<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Hotel<\/a>

The Novotel lobby<\/p><\/div>\n

With spacious rooms, comfortable king beds, great service and a convenient location, the Novotel already ticks lots of boxes but here\u2019s why it\u2019s a dream for those looking to stay healthy while travelling:<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

My room<\/p><\/div>\n

An all-hours gym<\/strong>
\nOn another trip to Brisbane, the hotel gym didn\u2019t open until 7am, not exactly ideal for a work day. The flexibility of a 24\/7 gym \u2013 with plenty of equipment and a poolside view \u2013 gets a big thumbs up from me.<\/p>\n

\"Hello<\/a>

Hello treadmill<\/p><\/div>\n

In-room yoga<\/strong>
\nIf the gym isn\u2019t your scene, there\u2019s yoga available through the TV in your room with mats available at reception. Get yourself in the right head space first thing, or de-stress after a busy day. Complimentary walking\/jogging maps are also available if you\u2019re after some fresh air.<\/p>\n

A breakfast buffet to get excited about <\/strong>
\nHotel brekkies can start to look a bit same-same but the Novotel\u2019s offering is enough to get even the grumpiest morning person smiling. All the usual suspects are there but there\u2019s also an organic corner with muesli, breads and other goodies.<\/p>\n

\"Brekkie\"<\/a>

Brekkie<\/p><\/div>\n

Healthy options on the room service menu<\/strong>
\nIf you want hot chips or a steak sandwich, I\u2019m not judging. But the \u2018Healthy Choices\u2019 menu makes room service guilt-free and delicious. BBQ Pork Fillet on shaved fennel, celery and apple salad with a yoghurt and herb dressing gets my pick.<\/p>\n

Take-away options<\/strong>
\nIf brekkie to go is more your style, the Plan B caf\u00e9 next door is a winner. I can vouch for the deliciousness of the fresh juices and avocado toast.<\/p>\n

What are your top tips for staying healthy when travelling? <\/b><\/p>\n

Nicole stayed as guest of Novotel Brisbane. <\/em><\/p>\n