Novotel Le Havre Centre Gare Hotel 4 stars

Last time was beginning january and the service was really very poor had to wait more than 15 minutes before someone helped me also in the restaurant no one was there etc...

After moving we had to find a home for a week and we selected NOVOTEL as à base. It served its purposes.

Nice and responsive people. Charlotte, Alexandria and Yean did a great job on front desk. The location was the best and how can I forget the breakfast that was so yummy.

The hotel is located well, and the executive rooms are a good size, clean and well equipped with good WiFi. The breakfast is adequate, although not catering to international tastes - I would prefer warm plates, crispy bacon, less sloppy scrambled eggs, black pepper and some variety in cereals. The dinners are truly bad though, my boss and I ate there twice last week and will not make that mistake again. In the spirit of trying to help you, I think you really need to re-engineer your kitchen and your waiting staff. I have no idea who is cooking the food (beetroot smoked salmon, entrecote, shrimp starter, butternut soup and Pad Thai is what I recall with a shudder). Really truly the worst food in 20+ places I've eaten in Le Havre. The smoked salmon was so salty as to be inedible, served with limp leaves and a half teaspoon of sauce. The entrecote was of very poor quality, a mass of fat and gristle. The shrimp starter smelt so rank I sent it back untouched, the butternut soup was bland and the Pad Thai was a mass of stodgy noodles with a few small shrimp. My boss was equally unhappy and like I said we will not eat there again. There is no excuse for making such a botch of simple cooking, especially in an international port and in a country famous for its cuisine. The gymnasium is a very big disappointment. It is poorly equipped, has no entertainment systems, is not planned or thought through by anyone with an understanding of exercise, and is not open at reasonable hours. The jacuzzi was broken and the steam room not working, and the only equipment is three cheap machines even though there is a large space and adding in some mats, weights and other inexpensive kit would be very easy. For travelling businessmen a well equipped gym is very important, especially when trying to work off jet lag. And the gym has to be accessible 24/7 not just when staff feel like it. My last comment is about the staff. They are young and attractive, but I think you would be better off getting in some more mature people who have stayed in hotels and who understand what makes for a good experience. People whose eyes rove around looking for customers to help; people who are continually thinking of improvements and who are seeking feedback. My observation (as a crusty old man) is that the young are too self absorbed, too focused on cosmetic adornments, not service oriented, not proactive and not particularly engaged. It's a shame to have such a great location and to spend lots on various cosmetic improvements while neglecting the basic fundamentals of guest experience. The only advantage you have really is that you're better than the Nomad and the other cheap hotels around the station, but that should not make you proud.

really calm hotel

We were not aware of the renovation that is going on at level 6. There is no mention about this renovation upon making reservation. Due to Health reason (dust), we had to move to another hotel and check out earlier from the original reservation. The hotel staff was not considerate and mentioned that we had non refundable reservation so the last night cannot be refunded. This is really dissatisfying

Excellent

Improving; Staff 10, accomodation (room) 5

Very positive, a pleasant experience in Le Havre

Stayed here for 5 nights. All fairness fairly ok hotel but not the best novotel I stayed in. Choice for vegetarians ( breakfast)is quite limited. Not all staff speaks English. And rooms smell dingy and are quite noisy as they are poorly isolated. I could people talking and shouting as it was coming from your own room.

Although partly renovated, elevators are not working and the place looks and feel disorganized and messy. Staff shortage to serve reception and bar area, the little staff available is jumping around in circles without any direction or management oversight. Food during dinner time was absolutely below standard both product quality wise and preparation. Seems the decision was made to maximize profit on short term, leading to loosing loyal guests.

Nice hotel but rather cold atmosphere

Upon check in, elevator not working and had to carry suitcase to second floor room. That evening tried calling desk because the room was so warm. Phone not working. Went to front desk and was told someone would be up as soon as possible. Forty five minutes later as I was preparing to go back downstairs someone from the front desk came to the room. I was told air conditioning system was shut off for the season, I requested a fan and was told there were none. The phone was tested and found to be out of order. I asked to be transferred to another room but was told none were available. The next morning when we went to breakfast (we paid extra to have this included) we found there was nothing available short of some jams, bananas and cheese because there were approximately 30-40 French policeman having breakfast. As quickly as any food was put out it was gone. I have great respect and admiration for the police so I was very happy to forgoe breakfast. At the very least I would like to be reimbursed for breakfast.

OK but facilities were tired and cleanliness was not great. Would not stay with you again.

Nothing special, nothing to draw me back. Ribs were half cold in restaurant