Novotel Valenciennes 4 stars

Pro: very helpful staff , relatively spacious rooms and facilities in the corridors like cold water and even sparkling being offered. Safe location due to electric gate operated and closed at night. The restaurant and swimming pool area are good too. Con: A very noisy location just by the motorway so a must is to choose a room as far from the road noise as possible. The hotel has no a/c so the rooms get very warm during the summer months. The parking is spacious but has a lot of obstacles like shrubs , trees and curbs that prevents the guests to park everywhere in a convenient way. The hotel seems to be popular among contractors, and business guests from abroad too so it gets very crowded in the public areas many evenings.

Over the friendliest possible feedback that the food was (the steak) was not of the highest quality, or, properly prepared (tough as a boot); the night Concierge threw her toys out of the pram and stormed into the most bizarre reaction in front of everyone . Just surreal.

The room was nice, however not so clean. There was a lot of dust. The extra bed was not well made, I even questioned if the sheets where clean. The breakfast was nice.

Always a nice welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

This was a return visit for us on our way back to UK. The welcome from reception is good. The facilities for children, pool, table tennis etc. are also welcoming. Dogs are made welcoming me with a dog bowl in the room. The very large garden area is securely fenced so great to let our dog off the lead for a game of fetch. The rooms are tired but clean and comfortable. The restaurant food was simple but reasonably priced. The buffet breakfast was difficult to navigate as there were no pots for jams and it lacked fluidity. But for an overnight e route it was fine.