Novotel London Canary Wharf : super top stay and a big rejuvenation to the Novotel br
Jul 11, 2018, 8:38 pm
. Like wkndtraveler, I am not surprised because they do not advertise it at all. But this is a very stupid decision as it costs them virtually nothing if there are few people showing up. Indeed, its not in a separate room that could be used for other services, they dont prepare fancy canaps and basically if there is no one in view, they just put the wine bottles back to storage until the day after and thats it.
Jul 13, 2018, 3:10 am
While the complimentary mini bar is nice to have its hard to believe that anyone or at least majority would prefer to have crisps and beer in the room if one could choose to enjoy upgraded drinks and canaps in the cosy lounge with a colleague, family members, the special one or even alone. Of course it becomes handy in case there is no time to visit the lounge. Since I don't travel much for work but mainly for pleasure and leisure, plus pay my stays from own pocket I surely appreciate all extra benefits such as the lounge.
Last edited by wkndtraveler; Jul 13, 2018 at 4:19 am
Jul 13, 2018, 7:17 am
A flagship Novotel such as this, with a lounge, and business travellers, could do very well with having an ex Asia based GM of a Pullman run it.
It's no use to tiptoe around a product benefit if there is a lack of understanding of it in the market (Europe) and having someone/or some people make decisions of it who may possibly be inexperienced in the actual needs and experiences of World travelling guests.
Jul 13, 2018, 11:56 am
Re the new GM - is it Jacqui McMillan? She was at Blackfriars when I was there in December. She was part of the opening team at Novotel Glasgow and is a very experienced Novotel GM.
Last edited by chrism20; Jul 13, 2018 at 2:17 pm
Jul 13, 2018, 1:53 pm
A flagship Novotel such as this, with a lounge, and business travellers, could do very well with having an ex Asia based GM of a Pullman run it.
It's no use to tiptoe around a product benefit if there is a lack of understanding of it in the market (Europe) and having someone/or some people make decisions of it who may possibly be inexperienced in the actual needs and experiences of World travelling guests.
Jul 14, 2018, 2:10 am
The check in experience still looks awkwards. Staff trying to stab away at tablets, wondering where the PDQ machine has been put and no proper queue system.
Jul 14, 2018, 8:51 am
The check in experience still looks awkwards. Staff trying to stab away at tablets, wondering where the PDQ machine has been put and no proper queue system.
Jul 15, 2018, 10:17 am
Novotel London Canary Wharf
40 Marsh Wall London, GB E14 9TP
Another good stay (the 5th) at Novotel London Canary Wharf (18 Photos)
Novotel London Canary Wharf
I stayed again there recently, but this time it was a personal stay (all other previous stays were for work). The Canary wharf location was definitely not a problem as it was convenient to reach via metro or taking the boat on the Thames (very pleasant way to go around). Overall it was another good stay, although not 100% perfect but nothing major. Hotel was running at 100% occupancy and was definitely very busy, also at restaurant and bar.
Check In
I had booked a Superior room (entry level) at a decent price during a special sale, with BF included. I had no prior arrival communication with the hotel. I was upgraded( spontaneously) at check-in to Deluxe and the drink voucher was given. They also told me they ensured I have the best possible view with my room, which was true. Late check-out at 4 pm was granted without discussion.
Room
Room was not huge, but of decent size. It was a corner room with the stunning downtown London view on one side and CW view on the other side. As a satellite note: I am always astonished by the number of constructions on-going in CW. I wonder if this will all be successful in term of sales and renting with the Brexit. Also there is a big empty field at the foot of the Novotel on the London view side and it seems that there is preparation for construction there. If confirmed, the Novotel could lose a big part of the splendid view one can enjoy now. Bathrobes and slippers are provided.
As already pointed by wkndtraveler, plenty of water (still & sparkling) available but minimal welcome gift.
I said above in introduction that the stay was not 100% perfect. Coming back around 5pm from a full walking (and boating ;) ) day in London, the room has still not been serviced :( . This was promptly addressed after calling the front desk, but still unpleasant. I don’t know if this was because they just forgot my room or if they didn’t have enough staff with a full hotel.
Dining
Breakfast was good with a large choice of cold and warm items. I can only regret that they serve American-style bacon instead of the English one (shame as we are in London). The restaurant was of course very busy but it was not a zoo. Buffet was refilled regularly.
The Bokkan restaurant is so good and the view so incredible that we decided to have dinner there the 2 evenings. I think the chefs are French and at least half of the servers are French, so it was nice to chat with them. Their degustation menu is a killing and at a very decent price. The restaurant was always full but it was never a problem to get a table booking the same day. Reservation is highly advisable. Beautiful sunset from the restaurant:
Regarding the lounge, there were about 10 people. As reported before, apart the soft drinks, you have Prosecco and one red, one white and one rosé wine + a few canapés. Definitely not like in a “regular club lounge” but this is a Novotel and it is definitely better than nothing. I was happy to read the updated news of wkndtraveler saying the lounge will not close anytime soon.
Overall
Overall another very good stay (apart the housekeeping issue) with very good Platinum recognition and treatment. This is definitely my Accor hotel of choice in London. My next (work) booking is for September :)
Oct 6, 2018, 9:39 am
- very long check-in. One guest seemed to have a cumulation of problems and she was obviously very unhappy of her stay and at the 2nd counter, some people were paying several rooms in cash and were bringing enveloppes full of cash to the counter and were counting tons of banknotes on the counter (re-counted by the hotel agent). Overrealistic, really...Staff looked under big stress, running around doing 1000 things at the same time. Not a feel welcome impression
- I encountered again (for the 2nd time) an housekeeping issue with a dirty towel (stained with I don't want to know what). Last time it was the room not done one day and, when done, not well and now this.
At check-out, the agent was very apologetic of course and said it was unacceptable. She asked me to send her the picture for further action. But that's all and I didn't even receive a further communication from them afterwards.
This hotel which was at 0 fault with me is now moving to my "under surveillance" list after those housekeeping problems. It seems that the new management is not as good as the original one when the hotel opened.
Oct 6, 2018, 9:50 am
- very long check-in. One guest seemed to have a cumulation of problems and she was obviously very unhappy of her stay and at the 2nd counter, some people were paying several rooms in cash and were bringing enveloppes full of cash to the counter and were counting tons of banknotes on the counter (re-counted by the hotel agent). Overrealistic, really...Staff looked under big stress, running around doing 1000 things at the same time. Not a feel welcome impression
- I encountered again (for the 2nd time) an housekeeping issue with a dirty towel (stained with I don't want to know what). Last time it was the room not done one day and, when done, not well and now this.
At check-out, the agent was very apologetic of course and said it was unacceptable. She asked me to send her the picture for further action. But that's all and I didn't even receive a further communication from them afterwards.
This hotel which was at 0 fault with me is now moving to my "under surveillance" list after those housekeeping problems. It seems that the new management is not as good as the original one when the hotel opened.
Last edited by tris06; Oct 6, 2018 at 9:57 am
Oct 6, 2018, 9:56 am
Nov 20, 2018, 1:00 pm
At check in i told the receptionist it was our third visit. She then looked to my girlfriend and asked if she was with me the previous visits .......she got a angry replyfrom my girlfriend.
The reservation confirmation e-mail invited us to come to the lounge for drinks and snacks between 18 an 20hr.
We went to the lounge for a quick drink but it was empty....the receptionist told us we only can get free coffe and tea, at the lounge. As a compensation the minibar was free of charge (except gin and whisky).
We went to the Bokan bar to cash in our free drink voucher but our prosecco was not included in de voucher... I asked to charge the prosecco to our hotel bill, but the waiter refused because we had not made a deposit at checkin. ( the receptionist asked my creditcard at checkin but forgot to finish the transaction).
The carpet and sofa had several red and black stains. We made our complaints to a quality control assistant but nothing happened...
At check out we complained about the stains, lounge and the inability to charge expenses to the room bill. After a short negotation we got a decent discount.
If it were not for the view i would not come back.
Nov 20, 2018, 3:50 pm
Nov 20, 2018, 10:12 pm