Boutique Hotel Novalis

After a long trip, this was a clean, relaxing place to stop and recharge. I was impressed by the quality of the service. Miss. Lia and Miss. Marian at reception were especially positive and welcoming. Thanks so much for the way you looked after our Team.

It’s a cute hotel in Grandignan, a little outside Bordeaux. The rooms are spacious, nicely equipped, and come with a Nespresso machine and capsules. Wi-Fi was very good, and there’s plenty of parking, so finding a space wasn’t a worry. You can also check yourself in using the machine outside. Recommended.

The rooms were modern and clean, and the hotel is conveniently placed on the main motorway for travelling through France. But our early departure turned into a miserable start. Breakfast wasn’t available, which was fine, but at 7.30am, in pouring rain, we couldn’t get out because the security gate code didn’t work. No one was on site. The emergency number played an automated message saying nobody was available, which is alarming if there’s a real emergency, such as a fire. We waited until 8.30am for the receptionist to arrive and open the gate with a key. She smiled as if nothing was wrong. By then we were soaked, without breakfast, and facing a long journey. We won’t recommend this hotel.

I wish more of the staff spoke English, but we managed well enough. Everyone was friendly and made us feel welcome.