Novotel London Blackfriars

The kids loved the pool, though the water was a bit chilly, and we thought the gym was good. Our rooms were clean, comfortable and quiet, with the things we needed. Staff were friendly.

I’ve attended meetings at this Novotel branch a couple of times and can only comment on the meeting facilities, not the accommodation. I wasn’t responsible for booking, so I don’t know the cost, but the setup and staff have impressed me. The meeting management team work from an office in the lobby, so it’s easy to get help. Upstairs, the first-floor lobby has places to sit, work and network, with meeting rooms around it. There’s a tea and coffee station as well as a machine for fancier coffee. Rooms are a good size and can be arranged to suit your needs. The acoustics are good, each room has its own heating controls, and there’s equipment to connect laptops. The entrance is attractive and step-free, with reception on the left and a pleasant-looking bar on the right. Staff have always been friendly and helpful when I’ve asked. The first floor is reachable by stairs or lifts, and there are several roomy lifts, so wheelchair users are unlikely to have trouble. The main entrance has a revolving door, plus a standard door to its left. I think staff may need to open that one, since I didn’t see clear signage, though I may have missed it. The toilets are spacious and there’s an accessible one. It’s a nice place to hold meetings, and I enjoy coming here.

The gym and pool aren’t open 24/7 like they are at some other places, so keep that in mind if you plan to use them. Aside from that, our week-long first vacation in London here was lovely. Check-in was quick, the room was clean and surprisingly spacious, and complimentary snacks and tea and coffee were replenished every day. The receptionists were willing to make some last-minute changes for us. The hotel is in a quiet, nice part of the city, about five minutes from the metro, with plenty of restaurants and grocery shops nearby. I’d highly recommend it for a short or long stay.

Everything made for a really special stay, and Azar (sorry if I misspelled that), a young woman at reception, gave us such a warm welcome and made us feel at home. My only issue was the pool. On Monday morning, after breakfast, we asked for the key and nobody told us it would be closed for cleaning from 12 to 3. It would’ve been nice to know. We only got to enjoy it for five minutes before being told to leave, lol. Apart from that, everything was amazing.