WillTravel

See details here:
http://www.novotel.com/fr/hotel-deal...iversary.shtml

Note that Novotel is particularly good if you have two children under 16, because in most cases they can stay in the room for free, which is not typical in Europe.

Also, many Novotel hotels have air conditioning.

In terms of star rating, they can be either 3* or 4*.

bilboburgler

Most Novotels say they are 3 or 4 star but really ar 2 or 3, but hey you get what you pay for

AR

Thanks for the heads-up, WillTravel.

I needed a family room for an overnight stay relatively near Calais for our journey home in August and had provisionally booked a Campanille in Dunkerque for 65 Euros. I've now changed it for a Novotel in Lille - a much nicer city with the advantage of NOT being Calais!

Yes, I suppose they are only a 3* at best but much better than the frightening Premier Classe in Boulogne we stayed at last year. I know you get what you pay for, but I wouldn't house my dog in that motel.

Much appreciated, anyway.

kerouac

Novotels are always 3*. The hotels do not rate themselves -- there is a government rating system for that. It is not based on the charm or beauty of the hotel but on specific facilities (elevators, restaurant, size of room, etc.).

bilboburgler

kerouac
You are right, but the specification does not always cover what I(or others) expect for a ?star its jsut a standard. Also novotel just seem so down market and some end up in dodgy areas

CRAZY4TRAVEL

I've stayed in some nice Novotels. I think like any middle of the line chain they will have good ones and bad ones. Just like I've stayed in some good Holiday Inns and some bad ones as well. Ramada has some real stinkers.

Sofitel is the next step up from the Novotel in the Accor umbrella and you will likely find them more consistant.

BTilke

What's so downmarket about the Novotel Grand'Place in Brussels? It's a comfortable, pleasant hotel in a very desirable location.

There are also 4* Novotels. Bilbo, which Novotels have you stayed in? We've stay in many across Europe and most were fine...clean, comfortable, staff who know what they're doing.

Sofitels are the highest end of Accor and there are some real standouts...The Sofitel in Chicago, several in Paris, the 5* in Baden-Baden.

rex

Note: the promotion is for 40 euro, and good for 40 days (and 4000 rooms) - - to promote their 40th anniversary.

Ends August 18



Best wishes,

Rex

kerouac

Of course I meant that all Novotels in France are 3*. They have as many stars as other national classifications want to give them in the other countries.

WillTravel

According to its own web site, Novotel Les Halles in Paris is a 4* hotel, so there are 4* Novotels in France also.
http://tinyurl.com/3lt42

AR, I'm glad you were able to use this offer.

rkkwan

The search is on for the 2* Novotel in France! First to find it takes home 40 francs!

Just kidding.

kerouac

Okay, I'm willing to accept that there is a 4* Novotel in France. The former Nikko Hotel in the 15th arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower might be a 4* Novotel as well. In any case, it is still the #1 hotel in Paris for Japanese visitors (the Nikko chain was owned by Japan Airlines).

AR

Well, just to update this thread with a word of warning about Novotel.

The 40 Euro stay in Lille was fine (although the hotel itself was bordering on 2*) if a little out of the way. The restaurant has a weird menu so we had to drive out to central Lille to get a meal.

Anyway, my gripe with Novotel is about their general attitude.

We booked our Gite in the Dordogne last October and were looking for an overnight stop both for the way down and the return home. After looking on the Accor website, we found the Novotel at Orleans Charbonniere. There was availability for our dates and they did what they call a "Hot Deal" with the proviso that you pay immediately and that there can be no cancellation or changes and is non-refundable. This was at a rate of 65 Euros which seemed a good deal, especially as we felt confident enough that we'd have no need to cancel.
We checked the conditions and it said "Standard Room" - exactly the same type of room as the full rack rate at 130 Euros.

When we stayed, we found that the standard of the room was not that which was described in the booklet (which gives you the impression that ALL rooms have standard facilities). As it was an overnight stop, I didn't want to make too much out of it - especially as we had paid half the rack rate. However, I was more than disappointed when we asked the reception why we had what seemed to be below standard and her answer (I swear) was "You paid a cheap rate and therefore you're only entitled to an inferior room. People pay at the full rate and deserve a better room".

This completely amazed me. What she said didn't surprise me but that she had the absolute gall to say it out loud.

Novotel have a policy of guaranteed satisfaction or your money back. Needless to say, this seemed not to apply to us.

Beware - pay a reduced rate at Novotel and get an inferior room.........and get that fact rammed down your throat at reception.

bilboburgler

I think the point is made. Imagine how I feel I'm a shareholder!

hanl

"Beware - pay a reduced rate at Novotel and get an inferior room..."

We recently spent a night at the Novotel Bordeaux Lac (overnight stopover on the way to the Pyrenees), and were really pleased with the hotel.
The room was spotless and spacious, the staff were charming and the restaurant was excellent (we particularly appreciated the 2 glasses of wine + refills that they gave us on the house because we'd had to wait a little for them to take our order!!).

We had a reduced "hot deal" rate too, prepaid when we made the booking, around 75 euros if I remember correctly.

So not all Novotels give inferior rooms to those paying cheaper rates.

Frances

Whilst this doesn't relate to France I echo the last poster.
In July we booked in the cardiff Novotel as the marriott which we had used repeatedly for five years was just too expensive.
We had a deal through lastminute or laterooms-I don't remember which for £89. The hotel is superb. Classier than the Marriott and we would have transferred our allegiance but for the fact that we now no longer have reason to visit Cardiff.
The building itself is very interesting and the rooms are very modern as are the bathrooms. We didn't eat there but it is more accessible for the Bay than the rest of the city hotels.We did actually get soaked walking into town but we could have driven. I'm fairly sure our room was standard and the rack rate was about £160.

robjame

<<"You paid a cheap rate and therefore you're only entitled to an inferior room. People pay at the full rate and deserve a better room".>>

bilbo says <<you get what you pay for>>

The only thing that surprises me is that the receptionist was honest.

I would be more pissed off if I paid the higher price and got the inferior room.

rkkwan

I've actually stayed at that Novotel outside Orleans last year. It's pretty decent. But of course, I paid 115EUR for the room, not 65.