Novotel: A Family's Journey Through the UK's Premier Mid-Range Hotel Chain
As a family that has traversed the UK extensively, we've developed a particular fondness for the Novotel brand. From Edinburgh Airport to London's bustling Canary Wharf, our stays have given us unique insights into this global hotel chain that balances consistency with local character. Join us as we explore what makes Novotel a reliable choice for family travelers across the United Kingdom.
The Novotel Story: From France to Global Hospitality Giant
Novotel's journey began in 1967 in Lille Lesquin, France, when the first property opened its doors, pioneering the concept of standardized, modern hotels. Founded by the Accor Group (originally Groupe Novotel), the brand rapidly expanded from its French roots to become a global hospitality powerhouse.
Today, Novotel boasts over 550 hotels across 65 countries, positioning itself firmly in the four-star, mid-to-upper range market. The brand has evolved significantly from its original concept, now focusing on modern, multi-functional spaces that cater to both business and leisure travelers.
The brand's future direction appears centered on continued modernization, with increasing emphasis on sustainability, digital innovation, and creating spaces that blend work and leisure—a concept they call "bleisure." Their latest designs feature open, flexible lobbies and increasingly tech-forward room amenities, reflecting changing traveler preferences.
Same Brand, Different Management: The Novotel Experience
One interesting aspect of Novotel that isn't immediately obvious to guests is that despite carrying the same brand name, various Novotel properties across the UK operate under different management companies. Some are directly managed by Accor, while others function under management contracts or franchise agreements with local operators.
Despite these varied operational structures, all Novotels adhere to the same brand standards and guidelines. This creates a familiar experience regardless of location, though we've discovered subtle differences that make each property unique.
This management variation sometimes reveals itself in how policies are implemented or how quickly renovations are scheduled. For instance, some properties appear to update their public areas on a different timeline than their rooms, likely influenced by the particular management company's budget priorities and renovation cycles.
A Tale of Renovation: From Dated to Contemporary
Through our stays across multiple Novotel properties, we've witnessed firsthand the brand's ongoing transformation. The renovation timeline creates distinct experiences depending on when a particular hotel last received its refresh.
The Old Guard: London West and Birmingham Centre
Our 2021 stay at Novotel London West following our Disney cruise revealed a property with recently refurbished common areas but rooms still awaiting modernization. The lobby, restaurant, and bar areas featured Novotel's contemporary design language—open spaces, modern furnishings, and a welcoming ambiance. However, stepping into our room felt like stepping back in time, with older fixtures and a design aesthetic from a previous era of the brand.
The bathroom in particular showed its age, with traditional tiling and fixtures that, while perfectly functional, lacked the sleek contemporary feel of newer properties. The color scheme leaned toward darker tones and traditional patterns rather than the light, minimalist approach seen in renovated locations.
Similarly, our 2024 experience at Novotel Birmingham Centre followed this pattern. The public spaces gleamed with fresh updates, but the rooms retained an older style that contrasted sharply with newer properties in the portfolio. The room decor featured a more traditional layout that lacked the bright, airy feel of renovated locations. The desk area and entertainment options in particular felt dated compared to the tech-integrated solutions found in newer Novotel properties.
However, if you’re staying at Birmingham airport then the Novotel there is a solid option - you can read our Novotel Birmingham Airport review here.
Middle of the Journey: Novotel Leeds Centre
The Novotel Leeds Centre represents something of a sweet spot in the brand's evolution—positioned squarely between the older properties and the ultra-modern new builds. During our stay, we were fortunate to receive an upgrade to a room on the sixth floor, which provided us with an excellent opportunity to experience the hotel at its best.
These upgraded rooms show a thoughtful balance between Novotel's heritage and its future direction. The furnishings maintain some traditional elements but incorporate contemporary touches and a fresher color palette. The technology integration is noticeably improved compared to older properties, with better connectivity options and more intuitive controls.
The bathrooms in these rooms have clearly been updated more recently than those in older properties like Birmingham Centre, featuring more modern fixtures and finishes while still not quite reaching the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of the newest Novotels. This middle-ground property demonstrates how the brand is progressively implementing its design evolution across the portfolio.
The New Generation: Liverpool Paddington Village and London Canary Wharf
In stark contrast, our stays at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village and Novotel London Canary Wharf introduced us to the brand's cutting-edge vision. These newer properties embody Novotel's current design philosophy from top to bottom.
At Liverpool Paddington Village, we found rooms with contemporary furnishings, thoughtful technology integration, and a color palette that exuded modern sophistication. The space utilization felt intentional and fresh, with clever storage solutions and multi-functional furniture. The lighting design particularly impressed us, with options for different moods and activities, from bright morning preparation to relaxed evening unwinding.
London Canary Wharf similarly impressed with its striking lobby, cafe option and reasonably well-appointed rooms with panoramic views. This property demonstrated how Novotel can be more than a halfway house - the room was better than some but not the truly updated style of Novotel London Paddington Village - the 35th floor views made up for it though. The bathroom design here — spacious walk-in shower, quality toiletries.
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Consistency in Service Despite Varied Surroundings
One element that has generally remained consistent across our Novotel experiences is the service quality. Regardless of whether we stayed in an older or newer property, staff professionalism and attentiveness have consistently met the four-star standard we've come to expect.
From efficient check-in processes to helpful concierge services, Novotel staff have generally delivered reliable service that makes traveling with family smoother and more enjoyable. This consistency is particularly valuable when traveling with children, as the predictability helps reduce travel stress.
We've noticed that staff training seems standardized across the brand, with team members displaying similar approaches to problem-solving and guest assistance regardless of location. Whether dealing with a special request at Edinburgh Park (close to Airport) or seeking local recommendations in London's Canary Wharf, the responsiveness and helpfulness have remained dependably high.
A Culinary Evolution
Perhaps the most notable improvement we've witnessed across our Novotel journey has been in the food and beverage offerings. In recent years, there's been a significant elevation in both quality and variety.
Gone are the days of limited, uninspiring hotel restaurant menus. Modern Novotel properties now feature thoughtfully designed dining concepts with diverse options that include considerate accommodations for dietary requirements, including gluten-free choices.
The children's menu has seen particular improvement, moving beyond typical chicken nuggets and fries to include more nutritious and appealing options for younger guests. This evolution reflects Novotel's understanding of changing family expectations around hotel dining.
Breakfast buffets have also seen a marked upgrade, with freshly prepared options, quality ingredients, and attentive service becoming the norm rather than the exception. The coffee quality—often a weak point in hotel offerings—has improved dramatically, with many locations now featuring barista-style machines or partnerships with respected coffee brands.
Our recent stay at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village showcased this culinary transformation perfectly. The restaurant offered an impressively varied menu with contemporary dishes that wouldn't have looked out of place in a standalone restaurant. The presentation, flavor profiles, and service quality all indicated a brand taking its food seriously. The locally sourced ingredients and seasonal specials demonstrated a commitment to quality that went beyond typical hotel dining expectations.
That said, not all locations have reached this culinary height. Our experience at Novotel Birmingham Centre featured what was probably the least impressive meal we've had at a Novotel in recent memory. While not terrible, it lacked the finesse and quality we've grown accustomed to at other properties. The menu seemed less inspired, and the execution didn't quite match the standard we'd experienced elsewhere under the Novotel banner.
Room Variations: A Visual Journey
The most striking differences between Novotel properties become apparent when comparing room designs across different renovation cycles:
Novotel Birmingham Centre
The rooms here represent the older Novotel aesthetic—functional but dated. Dark wood furnishings, traditional layouts, and smaller bathrooms mark these spaces as due for the brand's newer design language. The carpeting and soft furnishings in particular show signs of an earlier design era, with patterns and textures that feel out of step with current hospitality trends.
Novotel York Centre
This property sits somewhere in the middle of Novotel's design evolution. Having undergone a partial renovation some years ago, the rooms feature updated elements but still don't reflect the brand's current standards. They're comfortable and well-maintained but lack the contemporary flair of the newest properties. The bathroom fixtures had been updated, but the overall layout and some finishes betrayed the property's age.
Novotel Leeds Centre
Our upgraded sixth-floor room at Leeds Centre represented a well-executed middle point in the brand's design journey. With fresher decor than the older properties but without the complete design overhaul of the newest locations, these rooms offer a comfortable compromise. The furnishings show thoughtful updates while maintaining some traditional elements, creating a space that feels contemporary without being cutting-edge.
Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village
As one of the newest additions to the portfolio, these rooms showcase Novotel's current design vision. Light color schemes, contemporary furniture with clean lines, smart technology integration, and efficient use of space create a thoroughly modern experience. The bathrooms particularly stand out with their sleek fixtures and thoughtful lighting. The technology integration here is seamless, with easily accessible charging points, smart temperature controls, and intuitive lighting systems.
Novotel London Canary Wharf
Similarly updated and modern, this property elevates the experience further with premium touches and exceptional views. The rooms feature high-quality materials, sophisticated design elements, and technology that enhances rather than complicates the stay.
Practical Considerations: Value Beyond the Room
One practical aspect that has consistently impressed us about Novotel properties is their approach to parking fees. In an era where city-center hotels often charge eye-watering amounts for overnight parking, Novotel generally maintains reasonable rates that represent good value compared to competitors.
When comparing directly with similarly positioned brands like Crowne Plaza and Hilton, we've regularly found Novotel's parking charges to be more moderate. This might seem like a minor detail, but for family arriving by car, these daily savings can add up significantly over a multi-night stay, effectively reducing the overall cost of accommodation.
This reasonable approach to ancillary charges reflects Novotel's broader value proposition—delivering quality experiences without unnecessary price inflation on the extras that matter to family travellers.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Novotel
Despite the inconsistencies in room renovations across the portfolio, Novotel has become something of a go-to for our family travels around the UK. The reasons are straightforward:
1. **Predictable quality**: Even in older properties, there's a baseline of comfort and functionality that meets family needs.
2. **Value proposition**: For the price point, Novotel delivers reliable accommodation that often exceeds expectations, particularly in their newer properties.
3. **Family-friendly approach**: From room configurations that work for families to dining options that satisfy everyone, Novotel clearly considers the needs of family travelers.
4. **Location strategy**: Novotel properties tend to be situated in convenient locations, whether in city centers or near major transport hubs like airports.
5. **Reasonable additional costs**: Parking and other ancillary charges typically represent better value than comparable hotel brands, enhancing the overall value proposition.
When selecting a Novotel for future stays, we've learned to prioritize newer properties when possible, as the experience at locations like Liverpool Paddington Village and London Canary Wharf is comparable to upscale brands at a often more reasonable price point.
The Verdict: A Brand in Positive Transition
Our journey through UK Novotels reveals a brand in the midst of a positive evolution. While some properties still show their age, particularly in room decor and furnishings, the overall direction is promising. The newest properties demonstrate that Novotel can deliver a thoroughly contemporary experience that challenges perceptions of what a mid-range hotel brand can offer.
For families seeking reliable, comfortable accommodation across the UK, Novotel remains a solid choice—especially if you research which properties have received the most recent renovations. The consistent service standards, improving food quality, and family-friendly approach make it a brand we'll continue to consider as we plan future adventures across the United Kingdom.
As Novotel continues to refresh older properties and bring them in line with their current standards, we expect the experience to become even more consistent across the portfolio. Until then, we'll enjoy watching this transformation unfold, one stay at a time.