Novotel London West 4 stars

The first hotel: Novotel London West in Hammersmith. The rooms are efficient and clean. It’s just on the slightly tired side of a business hotel but it is ideally situated close to main tube lines and there are little cozy touches like the cookies in the room, a blow dryer in the main room as well as the bathroom and my favourite, a little corner of reception that offers fruit, candy and juice which is appreciated when you are coming in from the cold. Ask for a room with a view as some rooms have a great view out to the city center. The windows open slightly which is nice for a business hotel. Sometimes the staff seem a little unsure but the manager Herald is great! Very approachable, direct and willing to address any problem. The cleaning staff are VERY FAST and efficient. Don’t leave anything small and white, like a tank top near the linens or it could get swept up… and there are a lot of rooms! I would stay here again. It was user friendly. In contrast the Novotel Cambridge North was the opposite. First, It’s in the middle of nowhere but next to (and part of) a train station. It’s a comfortable 20 min train ride (then long walk) or 30 min bus ride to the city center. There might be a quicker route but we didn’t have any luck finding it in 3 days. The rooms are more elegant and well designed than the London West Novotel, especially if you aren’t on the side staring directly at the train tracks and concrete walls of the station. There is a pretty pool and nice sauna. That said, everything about this hotel felt terribly un-user friendly. It looked nice but felt like it the work flow had been designed by a robot and certainly no one that had ever actually stayed there. There is no phone in the room to call reception, only a Whatsapp code. If you ask about the pool you are told you need to fill out a form every time you want to use it. Fine. What they don’t tell you is that there isn’t an efficient way to access the pool and when you finally get there, you need a special key which you will have to go back through elevators, various floors and steps to go back to the main lobby dressed only in a towel and wait in line to get this key as the only single person working at reception checks in a few groups of travellers who, understandably, are staring at you like you are a crazy person. Not sure why they don’t just give you that key in the first place. Or even when you hand in the form. If you ask for a third cup for the third person in the room it never arrives, if you then go and ask for a paper cup from the bar instead it feels like a great imposition. If you ask for a small bottle of water from the cleaning staff cart (London Novotel had boxed water in the room so I assumed) you are told that is only for business clients. There is no bowl of fruit. No one gives you the same information on how to get into town. There’s a general feeling of malaise as if everyone working there has been reprimanded to follow rules and not step outside the lines.

Pro’s - Location is ideal. Next to Hammersmith tube stations and right next to the Eventim Apollo, so it’s perfect if you’re attending a concert there - There’s ample parking on site and it’s easily accessible, so a good option if you’re driving. It’s also underground and very secure. - Staff are exceptionally helpful and professional, nothing is ever too much trouble - There’s a shop in the foyer for drinks and snacks and travel essentials like toiletries etc. - Rooms are absolutely phenomenal. I stayed in a premium executive room which had a very comfortable bed, outstanding free toiletries and a free minibar. Even had a small plate of chocolate and fruit as a welcome. Bose sound system was a bonus too. Also it was on a high floor which had good views over London. - Hotel is enormous so you’re likely to find a room here Cons None to speak of. Really is an excellent hotel Other issues - Although parking is easy, it is phenomenally expensive. Worked out as over £30 for an overnight stay, even with the resident discount. It is London so you do pay a premium I guess. - I initially booked a suite, however they’d overbooked and had to re allocate me. I suspect it’s either because a band were in town and they wanted the suite for “the talent”, or a conference was taking place at the hotel and they gave priority to the VIP’s. They dealt with it extremely well and the premium executive room I got instead was more than satisfactory, as it was very modern and well equipped. Overall this is one of my favoured hotels in London and I would gladly stay here again.

I specifically asked connected rooms as I have kids from 3 to 11 years, and booked several weeks before. When we arrived there , I am told I am very lucky they are giving me rooms next to each other But not connected … and that I have been upgraded in term of rooms 1. This is Not true ( no upgrade, I payed for this level of room) 2. Not connected rooms super inconviniebt with toddlers, juggling bettween rooms . Ruined the experience . Several issue ( locked safe) . I had to call several times, ask lobby then my husband to go ask lobby one last time .. I don’t want to deal with things multiple times when on vacation .. Asked if we can have rooms ( connected) => not possible . I will not come back .

We have visited this hotel 4 times since 2006, and it is our favorite in London. The rooms are nice, the breakfast is great and the location is very fine.

It is a while since we stayed at your Hammersmith hotel. There have been many improvements. The front desk, the beds, the breakfast all something you can be proud of. Rebeca did a great check in job. Nara did a great check out job