About Novotel
Novotel is the midscale hotel brand of Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator, present in 92 countries with nearly 3,600 hotels and 170,000 employees. Novotel’s consistently high standard of service contributes to the wellbeing of both business and leisure travelers: think spacious, modular-design guestrooms, balanced cuisine available 24/7, excellent meeting facilities, attentive staff, dedicated children’s areas and rejuvenating wellness facilities. With PLANET 21, Accor’s sustainable development program, Novotel commits itself to the planet! To meet today’s challenging environmental and social issues, the brand has chosen to rely on a world-renowned environmental certification, ISO 14001. Novotel offers more than 400 hotels and resorts in 60 countries, situated in the center of major international cities from business districts to tourist destinations. More information at: www.novotel.com
We recently had the pleasure to spend a night in one of the Novotel hotels. Being in Bolton, the most obvious and easiest choice was of course the Manchester City Centre Novotel. This stunning hotel is located in the heart of Manchester City centre and conveniently located on Dickinson street which is just off Portland Street. It is really easy to find and located close to both Piccadily bus station and the central train stations. It is of course also very close to all the shops, restaurants, clubs and bars.
We were given a complimentary stay for one night. This included a family room, breakfast and use of the facilities. I chose a weekend when Ryan was away, just to make things a little easier for myself. Unfortunately Jordanna ended up being unwell on the day we were due to stay so in the end it was just me, Izebella and a friend of mine.
My first impressions from the outside were just how big it looked, it’s huge and I could not wait to check in.
The reception was very bright and clean, staff were dressed very smiley and seemed to be very helpful. I got there 15 minutes prior to the agreed check in time of 3pm and was able to go to my room without any delays.
This photograph is where the reception area joins the dining room. I love these futuristic walls which seem to be all over the reception area. The walls are made up of lights and look so funky. I wish my walls looked like these.
At the other end of the reception area is the kids area where they can use gaming consoles and various toys abd games. They also get little goody bags too and it’s a shame Jordanna was sick really.
The key to my room was a credit card swipe style thing which also acts as a switch on for the room lights. It did take me about 5 minutes to work that out and I did wonder why no lights were coming on.
Our room was on the second floor which is accessible by either stairs or lift. The corridors are very big, lots of rooms and doors and it is really easy to get lost as I did several times. It’s so big.
Our room was just amazing. A superior family size room with a king size bed and a double couch bed. Both of which were made up for us on arrival. All very clean, I’d even go as far as saying spotless. The bed was so comfy, huge with lovely fresh bedding,
It was a little like something out of the movies, the beds looked so comfy, it makes you just want to fall onto them.
The room came with a small mini bar stocked with soft drinks and snacks, tea and coffee making facilities, a flat screen television and a room service option which we did not use.
We were only staying for one night so did not really need to use the wardrobes or drawers but there is adequate hanging space for clothes for a family. Other utilities included an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer.
I loved the fairly vast selection of different coffees and teas too, rather than just being limited to one or two.
Then onto the bathroom which was also very clean and of high standard. The bathroom was separate to the toilet which was a very small room.
The bathroom housed both a bath and shower which was very easy to use. Plenty of fresh clean white towels awaited us along with some rather cute hotel toiletries.
It’s the sort of room I could of happily stayed in for a week.
The hotel also boasts a gym and sauna. Having Izebella with me meant I was unable to use this facility but we did try out the kids area instead for a while.
In the evening we went out around Manchester for some food and returned around 10.30pm so a pretty late night for Izebella. We did encounter a problem trying to get back into our room with the card but this was sorted out within 15 minutes.
The bed was so comfy that I think I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. I did not want to leave it in the morning.
We were treated to a lovely complimentary breakfast and tea in the restaurant the following morning.
The restaurant area is located next to the reception and is very spacious, well lit and has a relaxed atmosphere. Again the staff are vert friendly and helpful, showed us to our table and bought us a pot of tea each.
The tables are very elegantly laid out with all the cutlery in the right place. Milk to hand along with sugar, salt, pepper and everything we need to hand.
I was really impressed with the choice of food on offer for breakfast. Cereal, fruit, yoghurt, cakes, croissants, cooked breakfast, juices and more and it is really just a case of serve yourself however many times you wish.
I chose a cooked breakfast and there must be every single item one can think of to choose from. This includes bacon, sausage, fried & scrambled egg, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, hash brown, black pudding, toast and I’ve probably forgot a few things as the choice was huge. Here’s mine tho.
I also had a lovely bowl of fresh fruit too along with juice and tea. It was all lovely.
We checked out at 10am, handed the key back. They ask if you had anything from the room mini bar or ordered food which we didn’t and that was that. I really enjoyed my stay, everything was just so perfect. The room, the food, the staff and just the hotel in general. I was a bit sad to leave and Izebella enjoyed it too.
I would highly recommend this hotel for families. It’s in a perfect city centre location, the rooms are spotless and to a very high standard, beds amazingly comfortable, friendly staff and facilities for children.
Quinny
Novotel hotels have partnered with Quinny, the award winning pram and pushchair manufacturer, to provide families with Quinny YEZZ buggies and make travelling with young children easier.
The Quinny YEZZ buggies will be free to hire for hotel family guests* to use during their stay at any of the 33 Novotel hotels around the UK from April. Available in a choice of three colours – red, purple or grey – children can choose their favourite colour and travel in style!
Me personally, I really like most Novotel hotels. They offer such a decent experience and a very good value for the money. Next time I’ll be in Manchester, I’ll stay at The Lowry. I hope it’s even a little better than the also very good Novotel. Thanks for the extensive review 🙂
Love the funky walls, and that bed does look super comfortable. Great place to stay. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested