Novotel Cambridge North

Good stay at this hotel, the room was nice and clean and it was quiet. Was great that there was a pool. There there were quite a few (small) areas for improvement which I will list as I think the hotel is new so will hopefully take on feedback. It probably wouldn’t stop us going again but it might not be our first choice for these reasons: 1) Staff not particularly helpful or welcoming. For example, we arrived we were not told that we had to come and get a separate key for the pool, which meant we had to trek there and back to get a new key. 2) When we tried to get back in our room on the morning of checkout, before 12pm, the checkout time, the key card wasn’t working. Staff did not apologise for this and it seemed to be a very common problem. It should be easy to fix and meant we could have been running late for checkout. 3) Speaking of reception staff, they are seated at a chest of drawers not a desk which almost certainly does not meet health and safety requirements, and looks a bit weird. 4) Not enough staff for checkout, probably because of the key problem above. 5) Parking situation is not ideal as you have to park in the station car park. There should be a discount for guests. Also the bit outside the hotel is reserved for taxis so not great if you need to be driven right up to the door as we were scared we would get fined for doing so. 6) The hairdryer was broken in the room. 7) Showers in the swimming pool changing rooms go off after about 5 seconds. Also the shower cubicles need a place to hang a towel, and ideally a bench so there is a private place to change.

The room was clean and tidy. Service was meeting my expectations. Enjoyed the food and health services