Novotel Southampton

The good points of this hotel were that it had last minute availability during the Boat Show weekend and 2 lovely members of staff....a friendly receptionist and a barmaid, short dark hair and a great attitude! The negatives....£200 for a twin room with dirty light switches, stained carpet (bleach?), and a lethally slippy bath/shower. The receptionist who booked us in kept repeating that he worked in the other building and ignored my comment that I was checking in with an elderly relative who had just been released from hospital...I was left to manage her, her walker and all our luggage. Not impressed

If booking a taxi for the Southampton cruise terminal, be sure to book it very early. Our check in time for the ship was 11.00. We were advised to order the taxi for 10.00 as they are notoriously late. The hotel receptionist said that she had advised the taxi company that there were 3 adult passengers with 3 large suitcases & 3 pieces of hand luggage. The first taxi arrived 11.20. It could take 3 passengers but only 1 case.The 2nd taxi arrived at 12.20. We were told that the traffic was bad. The journey took 10 minutes!!

Everything was good - room was a good size and comfortable, bar service was good, breakfast was very nice, swimming pool was clean and empty when I used it. Changing room was a bit basic for a swimming pool, but other than that, all was fine. Parking was very easy and convenient.

Group of four in our party, we have stayed at the Novotel Southampton for the past ten years in September while attending the boat show. This time was it was an extremely poor experience. two of our party had to return their meals as they were cold, salmon and potatoes .......... not a difficult meal to prepare! when returned the meal was tasteless and of poor quality, my burger meal was dry and again had little taste. No teabags in our room, the sink was blocked, items on the breakfast were either half cooked or cold and the milk at breakfast had turned - I find this disappointing as we have been so loyal to this particular hotel. It is a great shame that I have to outline my experience as poor as this but felt I have no alternative but to bring this to your attention! We spend a considerable amount of money at the hotel in the bar area. I have always looked forward to staying at the hotel during boat show week but now question my decision for 2023 - I would welcome some feedback on these points.

Friendly, helpful staff. lovely hotel and brilliant location for train station and cruise terminal.