The Hotel: The 121-room property is located within the West Quay area of the city. Situated opposite the shopping centre, the hotel is easily found along the West Quay Road and offers both a comfortable location for overnight accommodation or a convenient venue for meetings.
The Check-In: There were two members
of staff at reception who both greeted me with a smile and a warm welcome. Check-in was very smooth and I was soon in the lift to my room.
The Room: I had an executive room which was tastefully furnished with a queen-sized bed, sofa-bed, work desk, LCD TV, laptop safe, minibar, hairdryer, a Bose iPod docking station and tea and coffee-making facilities, including a Nespresso coffee machine. There was an en-suite bathroom plus on-demand entertainment and communications. An all-inclusive package of films, internet access and music could be purchased for £9.99.
The Facilities: The hotel shares a car park with its two sister properties but there was lots of space available when I stayed. There’s a leisure facility with indoor heated pool, fitness centre and sauna.
The Business: There is wifi internet access throughout the hotel and a selection of ten meeting rooms in various sizes. The largest holds 500 delegates theatre-style while other rooms offer boardroom style facilities for 12 people upwards. The hotel has state-of-the-art videoconferencing facilities as well as regular audivisual equipment.
The Restaurant: The hotel’s Elements restaurant serves a range of international dishes. The menu had a very good range
of food, from nibbles, sandwiches and appetizers to main meals and deserts. Cooked and continental breakfasts were
also served in the Elements restaurant.
The Verdict: A very comfortable stay in a hotel which should meet the needs of most business travellers. The hotel is currently undergoing a 12-week refurbishment to the reception areas and leisure facilities.
The Details: Novotel Southampton, West Quay Road, S015 1RA. Tel: 02380 330550; see: www.accor.com. Rates are from £95 for standard rooms and £115 for executive rooms at this mid-scale hotel. David Clare
