Novotel La Rochelle Centre 4 estrelas

We were kindly emailed by the hotel prior to arrival advising us of the road closure issues around the town and what signs to look out for. I can understand some reviews I had read previously mentioning how difficult it is to find the hotel. Luckily we found it OK thanks to the Hotel info. and our GPS although the Hotel did suggest using the Waze app. Large free secure car park to the rear of the hotel. Nice easy check in upon arrival we found both the reception and breakfast staff to be both friendly and extremely helpful during our stay. We were only staying for 2 nights so we’re amazed at the pre authorisation of €500 on my credit card. Our room was on the third floor and we found it very well furnished and appointed. The bed was extremely comfortable with good pillows and crisp clean bedding. The bathroom had a nice rain shower and hand shower over the bath with fairly good water pressure and nice fluffy white towels. After reading some previous reviews where they had compared it to an Ibis Budget I think this is wide of the mark having visited numerous Ibis Hotels. The only similarity I would probably agree on is the toilet being separate from the bathroom. Yes some of the corridors are looking a bit tired but not too bad. We did find the Hotel bar price to be a bit excessive though so sadly we did not drink in nor try the restaurant after that experience. During our 20 night road trip around France this was by far the most expensive lager and gin we consumed. The hotel is an easy 10 - 15 minute walk to numerous restaurants and the town where prices are far more realistic and drinks are half the price. We did have an issue with the room safe immediately upon arrival, whereby it would not lock. We reported this straight away to reception who despite 3 attempts could not resolve the issue we had to wait till the following morning for maintenance to arrive after 8.00am. We went down for breakfast early and informed reception when we had finished that the room was accessible who to their credit immediately asked the technician to look at the safe. Within a couple of minutes he was knocking at the door and resolved the issue with new batteries. Really cannot fault the response by the team in resolving the issue. Breakfast was typical continental with a few hot items and croissants and pain au chocolate etc. our only disappointment was the white coffee from the machine which was pretty poor. The only way to get a near decent cup was to get black and add cold milk from the cereal cold milk dispenser. The breakfast was included in our room rate but if had it not been I would probably have not bothered the second day as it was €18 pp over twice the price of an Ibis but definitely not twice as good. We did see the location of the swimming pool from the restaurant but it honestly did not look that inviting.

This hotel should be avoided like the plague The staff was extremely unhelpful The hotel is in the middle of a park not the city The pics posted on the hotel website tell lies The food was terrible In a nutshell run for the hills The pool area stinks like a ashtray The pool is as inviting as a cow pat The entrance to the pool that you need to walk through is full of scum Overpriced , rude staff , poor facilities, food shocking AVOID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The hotel is in a good tranquil location, but the food wasn't impressed. My daughter ordered a dessert with fruits it came out with mold on the fruit. When you asking things to restaurant feel like we shouldn't asked.

Visited here before moving on to il de re. The hotel has a lovely pool and the staff were friendly. The room itself was small ,a little dated and hot ,as the air conditioning was not working .Also the mini fridge was broken so could not be used . The communal areas were also a little tired and could do with a clean .

Very modern surrounded by the park trees. Hard to realize in the center of a large city. Very quiet. Very large parking area. Had a great room, very good facilities. The outside terrace by the pool was excellent. Breakfast, outside was very varied and lots of favorite choices. The main problem for me was the distance in the heat from the old port, where I had pre -booked dinner. Taxis were not available and the walk was tiring. Staff were very helpful. My only complaint was the hotel situation not being signed as the park entrance gave no indication of a large hotel in its center.