As a loyal Accor user, used Novotel on both out and back journey for a holiday in Switzerland. Having used Formule 1 in the early days of French ‘plastic’ hotel revolution, I usually book Novotel (or Mercure where no Novotel is available) Superior rooms nowadays when my wife and I travel together. Generally a Novotel overnight guarantees a spacious room, decent soundproofing, room service food if necessary, a pool for quick dip, and comfortable, large bed - with the back up of a spare couch if one of us snores too loudly!

These two overnights a fortnight apart were no exception. Unlike some Novotels, the rooms on the 1st floor are easily accessible and not too far from reception. ON the first overnight we arrived late en route from London, and secured a basic meal in the room at 22.30 (although our preferred menu choice was not available due to the late hour – and the staff response to what was available was not the best)

Otherwise the only complaint is the air cooling system which does not provide cool enough air on hot summer days. Novotel rooms need air-conditioning or may as well have nothing at all. Another niggle was the consistent lack of plates/bowls etc at breakfast – three times we had to point out to waiting staff that cutlery/crockery/glasses had run out. Having said that we were able to have breakfast on the terrace by the pool on the northbound visit.