Novotel, Semarang

Advantages: Price, station location, popular late bar
Disadvantages: Packed with smokers, Modern plastic feel

...If you imagine that hotel chains can be like food chains, the Novotel group would hover somewhere around McDonalds in terms of its ethos and approach. I've stayed in one or two over my time, including those located in London and France, and the occasion in Leeds left me without any illusions. Overall, Novotels hover around the 3/4-star mark, with facilities usually pushing them into the 4-star category. However, I reckon that once you take the quality of what's being provided into account, the experience is definitely more basic. In fact, the Novotel chain is doing its own bit to push 3-star hotels into the category of 'bloody waste of time for the price you end up paying - better off upgrading to 4'. The context? My work apartment access key had been left at home in London and cue realisation of this after office hours, when... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Clean, decent rates, nice hotel
Disadvantages: Far from the station (but easy to get a bus)

...organizes a few free "cultural" events and classes for tourists as well as many other attractions - which this review isnt about. As long as you stay for less than 180 days and have a passport valid for six months after you leave most countries don't need a visa. I had an early flight back to the UK out of Hong Kong so we decided to move locations from where we had been staying for the week closer to Hong Kong train station so I could get the first airport train of the morning. We left the place we had been staying in and arrived at Sheung Wan station, which is the closest station to the Novotel Harbour View. Debating amongst ourselves for a short while we decided to take advantage of the Airport train bag advance check in and then head to the hotel. By debating amongst ourselves I mean I argued we should go straight to the hotel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Comfort, cleanliness, quality accomodation, reliable
Disadvantages: no uniqueness

...Having stayed in several Novotel hotels over the past couple of years, my stay in the Novotel in Birmingham January this year was pretty much the same old same old. The birmingham novotel is situated within a very short walking distance to the convention centre and the nearby theatre areas so no need to get a taxi even to go out as it is on your doorstep. The city centre shops are again within about a 10 minute walk, taking in the art museum on the way and the cascading fountains outside the museum. It is fairly easy to get to and is signposted on the last roundabout. There is parking underneath the hotel and is free for guests, another bonus for guests wishing to take in the shops as you dont need to pay extortionate parking fees elsewhere. The rooms were very clean and well equipped with ample towels & toiletries. Beds were same... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful