Novotel London City South

I have just returned from this hotel after a leisure weekend in London booked with Edwards Coach tours. What a fiasco! The room booking plainly stated "twin". When we arrived we found one double bed, so went to reception to ask to change. To say I was met with a response more appropriate from Hitler himelf would be an understatement. The receptionist was abrupt, rude, unhelpful and tried to make me feel grateful that i had accommodation at all never mind the wrong type of room. She spoke to me as if I were a naughty child, and was adamant there was nothing she could do (more like nothing she would do!!) Eventually we got them to make up the sofa bed that was in the room, but again when i raised a question about the rather dubious comfort of this her answer to everything was No! NO! NO! NO! I rather think it was a new word she had used that day and was practising!

Taking her out of the equasion the room itself was not really satisfactory. There are no doors on the wardrobe. the toilet is separate from the bathroom, so you have to walk the entire length of the room to wash your hands after using the toilet, and, with no disrespect intended a person of large build would have great difficulty in such a small toilet cubicle. Most unsatisfactory. The rooms do have a safe and iron with ironing board which i suppose is one redeeming feature.

Breakfast was tasty and plentiful and the service was good. However, both the tea and the coffee were disgusting.

The hotel is close to London Bridge tube but as a frequent traveller to London I have stayed in many hotels in the city. This is postively the worst and i will not be returning. Avoid this at all costs

Stayed here Friday night in October. Booked in advance on a non-refundable tariff and got room for 2 adults and 1 child incl breakfast for £109 which was fantastic value. When we checked in (slightly early, but not a problem) they were only expecting 2 adults. Fortunately our confirmation quoted 2+1 and they put us in a family room, but as the hotel was very busy it was lucky we arrived early.

Room had everything you could want or need for both business and pleasure and was very clean, including the carpet (some hotels only seem to vacuum once in a blue moon). Bathroom great, including complimentary toiletries (only need your toothbrush/paste) and a decent sized bathtowel which made a pleasant change.

Restaurant was pleasant enough, good service. Excellent value childrens menu although the portions were just ridiculously large for a child - I would have struggled to eat the pasta main course myself. Breakfast was plentiful and lot's of choice, although it paid to get there a bit early as the queue by 9am was long.

20 mins free internet access should you want it, plus some sort of xbox/wii in reception for kids. Only a 5 minute walk from London Bridge tube, and the city was 5 mins away across Southwark Bridge. As London Bridge is on the Jubilee line it was very useful for the 02 (although I'm not sure it's running at weekends at the moment).