BACKGROUND Accor’s ninth Novotel in London opened in October. It is co-located with a new Ibis property but the two are not interconnected.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Housed in a gleaming, glass-fronted 13-floor building along a fairly drab stretch of road, the Novotel and Ibis certainly stand out. The simple, modern lobby has two reception desks to the left, where I was warmly welcomed. The hotel’s focus on technology is apparent upon entering the lobby, with two quick check-in terminals, two iMac computers with 20 minutes’ free connectivity and two printers, a Microsoft Surface table (basically a table-sized tablet computer), and a games console.
WHERE IS IT? Just off Blackfriars Bridge. The nearest Tube stations are Southwark and Blackfriars, both under ten minutes’ walk away, and Waterloo station is ten minutes on foot.
ROOM FACILITIES Rooms start from 25 sqm and come in Superior, Executive and suite categories. My 13th-floor Executive room didn’t afford great views as there was an office block in the way. It had a cream, grey and timber colour scheme. Standard amenities include an iron and ironing board, safe, mini fridge and multimedia ports, while Executive rooms also come with a robe and slippers, Nespresso machine and an iPod dock. Five Executive rooms also have terraces.
There were two 32-inch Phillips flatscreen TVs with Freeview – one was on the wall and could be watched from the shower through a glass partition, which turned opaque at the touch of a button. There was a workdesk with plenty of power points and wifi is free throughout the hotel – there is a high-speed option that costs £10 for 24 hours. The granite bathroom had a walk-in rainshower (the family rooms have bath tubs), which was powerful, and there were Novotel-branded toiletries. The bed was large and comfortable.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Elements restaurant is located next to the lobby and serves international dishes. It has a table fitted with iPads so you can surf while you eat, and two “TV dinner” tables with a screen and headphones installed. The buffet breakfast costs £15.95 and included fresh French bread, pastries, jams and spreads, as well as cooked options. Elements bar has TV screens showing sport and news.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are seven meeting rooms – the largest divides into three and accommodates 90 people theatre-style.
LEISURE FACILITIES On the lower ground floor is a large gym with Technogym equipment. There is also a fantastic ten-metre pool, the entire back wall of which shows a moving underwater scene, as well as a hot tub and sauna.
VERDICT An excellent addition to the mid-range options in central London. The gym and pool are highlights, and the iPads in the restaurant are a good idea.
Fact file
- HOW MANY ROOMS? 182 – 149 Superior rooms, 31 Executive rooms and two suites.
- HIGHLIGHTS The pool and the iPads in the restaurant.
- PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in March started from £135 for an Superior room.
- CONTACT 46 Blackfriars Road; tel +44 (0)20 7660 0834; novotel.com
Scott Carey
