Hotel Novotel Rennes Alma 4 estrelas

Just what I would expect from Novotel. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have a different menu from the Novotel the night before.It is certainly a good place to stop, just off the motorway.

After 3 weeks in a camp site near Bordeaux, we were heading for the Ferry Port at Cherbourg and elected to stop off on a hotel in Rennes on the Saturday night and booked the Rennes Alma for the first time. Located just off inside the periphique, we were very pleased to see that it was located beside the Alma Shopping Centre which included a very large Carrefour. Checking in at reception around 6:45pm, we were met by a fairly stiff and surly madam who despite my best efforts to liaise in French, did not make us feel very welcome and advised us that the shopping centre and Carrefour closed at 8pm. (We latterly discovered Carrefour was open to 9:30). The check in was quick and the room advertised as a double and 2 single beds, turned out to be a rather uncomfortable sofa bed for the 2 kids aged 12 and 10. Nonetheless the room was clean and comfortable and the wifi was good. Next morning, my daughter wished to use the outdoor pool and we were advised by the receptionist to ask for access to the pool at the bar. The lady at the bar told us the pool was 'ferme' because of the weather. We went back to the receptionist again, after which there was a discussion and the lady at the bar, reluctantly accepted that it was open and grumpily marched us out to the pool. Whilst it was great to have a pool at this hotel, the pool was quite dirty and it was clear it hadn't been cleaned for a few days. Overall, we would go back to the Rennes Alma due to its location and price, but they really need to work on their customer relations.

... for travellers heading north or south and needing an overnight stop on the way. This trip (February 2016) we found the heating in the room to be too strong - it was tropical. and resulted in a very bad nights sleep..!

When booking this hotel we asked for a good room as were staying a number of days. Most people use this hotel as a stopover. We were given a room with a view of a Tesla charging station. We asked for the room to be changed which was done near the end of our stay. No apology, poor English.

This hotel is located next to the Alma Commercial centre and it is easy to get a bus into Rennes centre at a cost of 1.50e per person. The hotel staff were in the most part pleasant, welcoming and friendly, although one waiter could do with further training in customer service as his attitude left a lot to be desired. The room was very clean and inviting and everything worked well in there. The bed was very comfortable and had new bedding. Smoking rooms are available upon request.

I was mis-charged here and had to try and resolve this with manager. After much arguing this was mainly resolved. But then I got back home to find that they had charged me twice and refunded me once so I suffered some extra foreign transaction charges due to their mal admin. Food wasn't great and there is a very limited menu if you buy B&B and dinner rate. May as well not bother with this. Pool is small but useable.

Very disappointed with my booking via accor.com. i had to cancel my visit because of a death in my family and the only answer i got when i rang to cancel was " sorry not refundable". i think it is a disgrace to treat your members in this fashion and i will probably not stay again in a Novotel or any other Accor hotel if this is company Policy. it is not too late to make an effort and refund 100 € i paid in advance for my booking. It would make all the difference between being just a number or feeling part of a group as a member Michael Walsh I

Excellent hotel with all facilities. Restaurant excellent for both evening meal and breakfast. Very nice swimming pool. Hotel easy to find and very easy to get back on to the road south the next morning.

Highly recommended, good location, ideal (as clearly others have discovered) to overnight before catching the ferry to Ireland. Very convenient for the upmarket ALMA shopping centre if you need to pick anything up or just stretch the legs with little ones rain or shine. One of the best family hotels we have stayed in.

3 or 4th visit to this Novotel - perfect stopping off point on the way home to catch the ferry from St Malo. Great price for a 'hotel experience' rather than the anonymous experience you get at some other road side hotels. Our children, in particular, love staying there.

All OK except that I had to negotiate at the reception the correct amount of my bill when checking out. We took half-board for 2 adults and paid the dinner for the kids. The menu clearly indicates for half-board the combination of dishes and which dishes qualify for the half-board. The staff at the restaurant explains you the same. The restaurant bill however deducts a fixed amount (18,-€) for half-board and I had to pay the surplus - which I refused because it is contrary to what the staff at the restaurant explained and to what is mentioned in the menu. After a tough negotation with the person at the reception, the bill was corrected. I assume that this person, working at the reception, was not well informed about the half-board formula.

The location of the hotel is good if you are travelling by car. Metro station is about 15min walking distance, and by metro city center is about 10min. The shopping mall is very close. We did not try breakfast but otherwise the service was very good. Everybody is smiling and helpful. The hotel is located almost in a park, so you wake up with the singing birds.

Children (aged 9 and 4) very much enjoyed toy room, outdoor play area, and swimming pool. Only slight drawbacks in design of family room (double bed plus 2 fold out sofa beds) for those with small children is height of washbasin (perhaps a step-stool could be provided) and shower only ratehr than combination bath/shower as in some Novotels.

Great value , great service - the toilets in the lobby could have been a bit cleaner ,but otherwise - we love the Novotel! Great for kids too , and little touches like the bottle of water given to you on departure.

Great hotel, well geared up to families. Particularly appreciated the family room for breakfast, what a refreshing idea. Would definitely stay here again either for shopping trip to Rennes or en route to the rest of France.