The Spire Hotel

This hotel offers a truly luxurious and memorable experience, distinguished by its exceptional service and spacious, well-appointed rooms featuring cozy fireplaces. Guests consistently highlight the attentive and welcoming staff who go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay, making it feel like a six-star accommodation. The thoughtful inclusions, such as complimentary mini-bar items and pre-dinner canapés, significantly enhance the sense of luxury. Its central location makes it ideal for sightseers eager to explore the city's attractions on foot. The hotel is particularly well-suited for couples seeking a romantic escape or celebrating special occasions, and for luxury travelers who appreciate personalized attention. Business travelers will find the comfortable in-room workspaces conducive to productivity. For a quieter experience, guests are advised to request a room overlooking the church rather than the alleyway, and it's helpful to note the hotel's location down a pedestrian alley when planning arrival.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of luxurious facilities and amenities designed to enhance guest comfort. Each spacious room is equipped with a cozy electric fireplace or gas fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Many rooms also feature a private balcony, providing an outdoor space for relaxation. Guests appreciate the complimentary mini-bar, which is well-stocked with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, along with some alcoholic options, and is replenished daily. A Nespresso machine is also provided for in-room coffee. The hotel ensures comfort with air conditioning and a large TV in each room. Additional thoughtful inclusions are daily pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and access to a local gym. The hotel also provides turn down service and daily housekeeping, contributing to a pampered experience. While valet parking is available, some guests noted the lifts and stairs appeared somewhat dated.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the exceptional cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. The accommodations are described as very spacious and cosy, featuring massive king beds that ensure a restful night's sleep. The luxurious bathrooms are a highlight, often including huge, opulently appointed baths or soaking tubs and separate showers, complemented by heated floor tiles and great pressure in the shower. High-quality, local body and hair products are also provided. Rooms offer practical features like plenty of space for luggage and a comfortable office desk and chair. While many rooms boast fine views of the church, lake, or mountains, some guests in laneway suites experienced significant noise levels from nearby pubs and late-night establishments, which could be disruptive until the early morning hours. A few minor concerns included occasional carpet stains and bedside tables that are fixed and positioned far from the bed.

Dining & Food Quality
Dining and food quality receive high praise from guests. The breakfast, often served at a sister property, is consistently described as delicious, superb, and fantastic, prepared to order rather than a buffet. Guests appreciate the quality and taste, though some staying for longer periods wished for more variety in the menu options. The coffee was generally acceptable, though a few discerning guests found it average. The hotel's on-site restaurant, No5 Church Lane, and its bar, Tamarind, are frequently highlighted for their excellent food and knowledgeable team, offering delicious dinner options and a memorable culinary experience. Guests also enjoy the daily complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapés, which are noted for their quality and generous selection, further enhancing the overall dining experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an exceptional central location, placing guests right in the heart of the city. This prime position offers quick access to a multitude of restaurants and pubs, and allows for easy walking distance to main attractions, the lake promenade, and various shops. While the hotel's setting down a pedestrian alley contributes to a quieter internal atmosphere for some rooms, it can make initial arrival and finding the entrance a bit challenging, as vehicles cannot drive directly to the front door. Valet parking is available, typically involving parking in a nearby loading bay, which some guests found inconvenient or expensive. A significant point of mixed feedback is the hotel's proximity to noisy late-night venues, including busy pubs and bars, which can lead to considerable street noise and music disturbances, particularly on weekends, affecting sleep for rooms facing the alley.

Staff & Service
The staff and service at the hotel consistently receive outstanding praise, being described as unfailingly friendly, professional, and welcoming. Guests highlight their attentiveness, responsiveness, and helpfulness, noting that the team goes above and beyond to ensure every need is met, making guests feel truly special. The proactive concierge team is particularly commended for assisting with local recommendations, bookings for activities, and arranging services like airport transfers and private tours. The check-in process is noted as efficient, and the valet service is appreciated for its convenience and the staff's pleasant demeanor. The hotel's commitment to a pampered experience is evident through services like turn down service and daily housekeeping. Pre-arrival communication is also stellar, with staff reaching out to anticipate guest needs. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few guests noted some staff were less knowledgeable regarding specific booking inclusions.

Additional Information
Beyond the standard offerings, the hotel provides several unique and valuable inclusions. Guests particularly appreciate the complimentary mini-bar, which is generously stocked with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, and is replenished daily. Daily pre-dinner drinks and canapés are a popular inclusion, adding a touch of luxury to the evening. Guests also benefit from access to a local gym and the convenience of turn down service and daily housekeeping. For those celebrating special occasions, the hotel often provides thoughtful welcome amenities. However, some guests experienced temporary changes, such as the on-site restaurant being closed, requiring them to dine at a sister property, and reduced housekeeping frequency due to staff shortages. It's worth noting that some guests found the use of old-style physical keys with room numbers to be a minor security concern.