My previous experiences of Novotel — part of the Accor group of hotels which
includes the Sofitel, Mercure, Ibis, Etap and Formule 1 chains — had come in
south of France, usually at the end of a week or so spent baking in a
less-than-spacious mobile home.
Any measured response to the hotel amenities was usually lost in the flood of
relief that here was a room where you didn’t bump your head getting into
bed, you had a bathroom you could actually turn around in and – thank God –
there was air conditioning.
There was also, I seem to remember, Dolfy – a dolphin doll intended to keep
the children happy – although my memories here are possibly clouded by the
odd glass or two of Provencal wine.
Novotel London St Pancras, built on the greyer confines of the Euston Road,
appears to have taken that continental concept of discreet but anonymous
comfort on to a higher plane. Although it fulfils the purpose of being a
holiday stopover – the St Pancras Eurostar terminal is five minute's walk
away – it offers the kind of comfort and facilities that you’d expect from a
more upmarket establisment.
The open foyer – with a sculpted, circular red sofa that looks more to be
admired than sat upon – led to a choice of three lifts. The central, glass
one, is the one to wait for, offering views of the congested Euston Road as
you’re transported smoothly upwards.
Our room on the third floor was spacious, finished in soothing, if slightly
ubiquitous oatmeal shades, and offered a splendid view of Newton’s naked
bottom. Perhaps I should be a little more precise.
Our view was of the piazza of the British Library and the crouching, bronze
sculpture by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi — Isaac Newton, after William Blake, 1995
— which dominates it. While the statue has its admirers and detractors (one
blogger calls it “fascinating and repellent in equal measure”), it’s
certainly more interesting to look at than the buses and lorries adding to
the global warming crisis, a few metres away.
The hotel’s restaurant, Mirrors, on the ground floor behind reception, may
lack a certain cosiness, but the food is splendid and the staff attentive.
When I put on my jacket to counteract the fierce air conditioning, the
waiter immediately rushed to my side to tell me that he’d readjusted it and
that I could safely dine in my shirt sleeves.
For starters I chose the possibly ethically unsound chicken liver and foie
gras parfait with fig jam and toasted brioche (£7.75). I can’t say I felt
guilty eating it, as it tasted superb. The main course of rump of Welsh
lamb, macadoine of courgettes, goats cheese tortellini and marjoram jus
(£16.95) was equally good. I managed to squeeze in a dessert – date and
toffee pudding with vanilla clotted cream (£5.00). In all the food was as
good, if not better, than I’ve tasted in some more expensive, if slightly
more exotic, restaurants in the West End.
Tripadvisor.co.uk
users are nearly all complimentary about the hotel, although some mention
the fact that the hotel’s in a slightly dodgy area of London. Single women
wouldn’t want to loiter outside for too long, although we avoided any
unpleasantness by going no father than the hotel bar for a nightcap.
Breakfast was the usual bland, if satisfying, mixture of hot food, ham,
cheese, fruit, cereals and pastries that you get in any decent hotel. But
it’s worth stocking up if you have longish Eurostar journey ahead of you.
No one’s going to go to this hotel if they’re looking for character, or if
they want to wallow in super luxury. Here, what you see is what you get.
Good rooms, comfort, attentive staff, splendid food —— which is what I
expect you would find in any Novotel.
As such, it’s ideal for the frequent traveller. If you have an early start
from St Pancras, then it provides the best possible start to your journey.
If you’re returning from a miserable Eurostar weekend it could also provide
the pick-you-up you need.
Bottom line: Rooms cost from £145 and there are short break, city break
and special family offer deals avalable.
Best thing: the food and service
Worst thing: the location (although it is close to the station)
Access all areas: The hotel is wheelchair accessible
Need to know: Novotel
London St Pancras, 100-110 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AJ; tel. 020 7666
9000; H5309@accor.com
John Clarke doesn't know what he is talking ablout when he said the worst thing is the location. Expand on this? Crime has fallen in King's Cross by 85% in the last 5 years and is safer than the west end and 99% of central london. 20metres from the British Library , 15 minute walk British Museum.
Michael, London,