Breakfast with a view at the Novotel

I walk past Lake Wakatipu most mornings on my way to work and I sometimes glance at The Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel set back against the mountains. Unassuming, doing it’s thing, little did I know the workings going on inside.

Then, randomly on a flight last week, I got talking to the guy next to me about travelling. He travels to Queenstown regularly for work and could not stop talking about The Novotel Queenstown Lakeside’s breakfast. The waffles, the choice, the variety, the waffles. (Did I mention waffles). We chatted for a while about blogging and what I do and he came back to staying here and the breakfast. I knew then it was my duty to my people to investigate said breakfast.

Every once in a while you need a staycation in your own town and this was a good opportunity as any. Location- check! Beautiful views- check! Amazing breakfast and the chance to wake up and be in town for work- ding ding! This hotel also does well on the ‘look after the planet’ scale. They are committed to ‘Planet 21’, the sustainable development programme of the Accor group. They look at things like lightbulbs, packaging, fair trade, using only sustainable ingredients in their kitchens, bees on the roof (yes you read that correctly), recycling, training for staff all bundled up in a beautiful hotel. You CAN be earth friendly and be a gorgeous hotel. Come on other hotels!

Alongside the wonderful things the hotel is doing for the planet they’re also doing alot for their guests. Comfy beds, beautiful furnishings, fireside drinks in the evenings and the reason we’re all here; the breakfast.

After a cozy night’s sleep and an exciting night watching the hockey in the Olympics (who’s your team?) I awoke excited at the opportunity to see what all the fuss was about and, like Christmas morning, I skipped (yes indeed) to the breakfast room held up above the hotel floor and eyes wide sampled some of the many many delicious choices available.

Are you ready?

Eggs (scrambled, fried, poached infront of your eyes), waffles, breads (wholewheat, white, ciabatta, nutty), spreads, honey (from bees on the roof along with honeycomb), cereal, fresh fruit and vegetables to make your own juices, prawn crackers, pancakes and danish, yoghurt. Delicious coffee and ten types of tea, french toast, meats and cheeses.

I settled into my pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and gazed out toward Walter Peak, softly doing his thing in the distance. Families chattered around me, excited about their day on the slopes or meandering around town and I smiled at the fact that my tummy was satisfied, I’d had the best sleep in a while and I was right there in my own town ready for work. No need to drive anywhere, caffeinated and ready to start my day. A short walk along the gorgeous shores of Lake Wakatipu and boom!