Hotel Novotel Rouen Sud

Once we got parked, the staff were pleasant, including the same supervisor who had waved us away at the front gate. We eventually found a space, but most of the car park was closed, including the Tesla chargers, which were part of why we booked. It started badly, and the room was average, relatively clean, but had a mystery hole in the wall, sheets that didn't fit properly, and terrible pillows.

We've stayed here regularly to break up the drive from Calais to Bergerac, probably around 10 times a year for about 8 years. Service is generally friendly and good, but our stay from 24/7 to 25/7 was an exception. We had booked two standard rooms, each with a double bed and a couch, but were given rooms with twin beds. We were tired after the long drive and didn't make an issue of it then. I reported the mistake the next morning to the receptionist on duty. Rather than apologize, she rudely said it was my fault for not asking to change rooms. She was arrogant and dismissive, and refused to acknowledge that staff had given us the wrong rooms, though she did say the correct rooms had been available when we checked in. That behavior is no credit to the hotel and isn't a sensible way to keep customers. She should be reminded to treat guests politely and hospitably. I'll look for another hotel next time.

We'd all had a sickness bug the day before our last leg from La Rochelle back to the UK via Calais Eurotunnel, so we were apprehensive about stopping. This was a very welcome find, a nicely presented hotel. The receptionist was accommodating and made two simple soft-boiled eggs with bread for my wife, who was still feeling delicate, even though it wasn't on the menu. The rooms were a decent size, with very comfortable beds and pillows, and a lovely bathroom with nice toiletries. There's also a lovely little swimming pool. A few small things could have been better: there was only one standard breakfast tea bag, so I had to ask for more and for milk, and one mug had its handle broken off. We ate in the restaurant, which had a nice atmosphere, though most of the staff weren't particularly friendly, apart from one pleasant guy. Our meals were decent with reasonable portions, even though we couldn't finish them because we were still feeling the effects of being sick. I'd have no hesitation booking here again.

The room itself was satisfactory, but I've stayed here many times as a rest stop on the way from the UK to our place in south France, and each time we've had to remind them about my Diamond status in the ALL scheme and its benefits, a free welcome drink and free breakfast on weekends. This hotel is by far the meanest about honoring those benefits. This time there was only one free drink for the room, a small glass of beer, and no room amenities apart from two bottles of water. They flatly refused the free breakfast, so I had to pay. These perks are one of the main reasons I stay loyal to Accor, and if this is how things are going, I'll look elsewhere for hotels.