I recently stayed in the Lasso Suite at the Clarion Hotel Newcastle South. The room itself was excellent—spacious, beautifully presented, and with an incredibly comfortable bed. However, a few details let the experience down, such as empty soap dispensers and a non-functional Nespresso machine. These minor inconveniences aside, the suite was a standout feature of the stay.
Unfortunately, the breakfast experience did not live up to the hotel's four-star reputation. The food quality was disappointing, with cardboard-like bacon, burnt sausages, and soggy, undercooked pastries. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, with only six diners, it took almost 20 minutes to serve poached eggs.
There was no cold continental selection, the coffee machines only dispensed weak, watery coffee with no milk, and there wasn’t even bread available for toast. The waitress, though polite and trying her best, seemed overwhelmed despite the minimal number of guests.
While the room was lovely and well-appointed, the breakfast experience fell short of expectations for a four-star establishment. With improvements to the dining service, the hotel could provide a much more consistent and enjoyable stay.