A 36-year-old man has been accused of an unprovoked assault at a Civic hotel on Thursday night.

At about 9pm, the 36-year-old man allegedly approached another man in the Akuna Street hotel, grabbing him by the neck and attempting to drag the man into his hotel room, before producing a knife and attempting to stab him.

People nearby heard the man calling out and came to his help. Police say he sustained minor injuries as a result of the alleged assault.

The 36-year-old was arrested and faces charges of possessing an offensive weapon with intent, assault with intent and forcible confinement.