The brand-new Novotel Leicester; part of the multi-million-pound hotel complex (connected to the Adagio serviced aparthotel) situated within Leicester’s Great Central Square development opened its doors to visitors back in January. I have been eagerly following this development and champion its appeal to visitors, locals, travellers and businesses as a great asset to the city.
Recently, I was invited for a mini staycation at the hotel, so without further ado join me as I show you around this beautifully appointed contemporary member of the Accor group, Novotel Leicester.
NOVOTEL LEICESTER
A CONTEMPORARY HOTEL REVIEW
www.be-lavie.com
DESIGN & CREATIVE TOUCHES
The hotel complex is built on the site of the Roman Stibbe Mosaic, discovered back in 2017 by a team of archaeologists from Leicester University, which was thought to have been a grand Roman villa.
The Novotel has been designed by Koncept ID in conjunction with the owners, Charles Street Group based in Leicester and features many exclusive bespoke touches such as marble and concrete columns to reflect the city and site’s Roman past. Novotel also features atlas carpets, solid brass knobs, designer lighting and rugs from the USA.
As you enter the Novotel, your eyes are drawn to the bespoke spiral staircase made from steel with a ‘brandy snap’ bannister, which leads up to the meeting rooms. The contemporary bronze reception desk sits elegantly beneath the staircase.
The lobby introduces one to the rare modernity of this hotel and provides an inviting seating area with ‘scandi’ inspired upholstered chairs and checkered large pouffes, scatter cushions in hues of earthy tones such as cedarwood, greys, stone and a pop of brick red, which marries well with the gold and bronze light accents from above.
The Novotel also pays homage to Leicester’s industry past and present with a leather-bound wall on the ground floor within the reception, references the city’s shoemaking industry, a mirrored ceiling in the lobby and NineB restaurant representing the industrial revolution and the metal ceiling above the NineB Bar is indicative of the bygone steelworks manufacturing in the city.
ROOMS & SUITES
The ten-storey Novotel boasts 154 rooms, which includes 38 executive suites featuring 55-inch televisions, nine junior suites, which have been built cleverly into the corner of each floor and have double aspect views across the city.
Additionally, there is a penthouse or presidential suite (Room 1001) with sweeping views of the city and beyond where you’ll find a dining area for six people, separate lounge area, a bedroom and an ensuite bathroom as well as a walk-in shower.
The one-off pieces include a spiral staircase made from steel with a bespoke ‘brandy snap’ bannister, concrete columns and gold metal finishes throughout for shelving and display, along with a bronze reception desk, which adds the wow factor to the Novotel’s lobby area.
Mood lit corridors on each floor, lead to the rooms behind walnut finished doors against the dark grey carpets.
We stayed in the Superior Double Room on the second floor, which was finished to a beautifully modern and sleek standard with light wood accents, a comfy double bed, floor to ceiling windows, a grey sofa bed and the wall behind the bed adorns a cherry blossom wallpaper.
All mod cons included such as a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, a fridge, hot drinks making facilities with custard creams included! Oh and there’s a room service menu! There’s also a large wardrobe with shelves, an iron, ironing board and safe.
The bathroom is petite and bijoux with the loo well placed in an alcove, an over bath rain shower and a sleek and modern vanity unit with mirrors. Perfect to put your face on! Amenities are fair trade, there’s plenty of soft white towels and a hairdryer.
MEETING SPACES
Novotel has focussed its attention to offering an impressive corporate selection in the form of five meeting rooms, which they boast have Leicester’s only wireless interactive 82-inch screens, high-speed wifi, separate breakout areas with floor to ceiling windows for a light and airy feel.
The Westmoreland Suite can cater for up to 200 hundred people with the conference areas having their own private bar and washrooms.
INBALANCE FITNESS CENTRE
The 5th floor of the hotel is home to the Inbalance fitness centre if you fancy a run, a bike ride or some weights. It’s open 24 hours for guests staying at the hotel. Also, a great place to enjoy lit up city views whilst you workout.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast is served in the NineB restaurant on the ground floor and is quite the spread. There’s a continental selection such as cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, juices, cheeses. Meats, pastries, bread and croissants accompanied by some lovely conserves and jams.
Additionally, there is also a warm cooked selection of foods to include sausages, bacon, beans, hashbrowns, scrambled and fried eggs, beans and mushrooms.
The buffet is replenished throughout and small quantities are bought out to ensure food is fresh and not left to waste.
NINEB BAR & RESTAURANT
NineB bar & restaurant is housed in between the Novotel and Adagio hotels and is independent of the hotel, comprising 120 seats. It serves a good mix of traditional English dishes with an international twist, with a fine list of five local suppliers, which really shows its commitment to supporting Leicester local.
The interiors are stunning, beautiful gold, teal and blush pink hues with a private dining room running along the back wall.
There will be a separate review of my dining experience at the restaurant on be-lavie soon.
THINGS TO DO
An in-room book offers plenty of ideas on what to do and see locally. Novotel is situated across the road from the Highcross Shopping Mall and literally a 5-minute walk into historic Leicester including the cathedral, where sits King Richard III Tomb across the road from the King Richard III Visitor centre and Greyfriars Car park where his remains were found.
For further ideas of things to do, have a read of my post on historic Leicester below..
A NOD TO SUSTAINABILITY
With Planet 21, Accor hotels’ aim is to provide a more positive hospitality experience for its guests. The hotel encourages reusing of towels and water and energy saved via this route contributes to planting more trees. There is also a strong recycling emphasis as well as less single waste plastic exchanged for paper where possible.
BE-LAVIE’S VERDICT
A modern, sleek, clean exterior with all the style and amenities one could want in a city-centre location has been tastefully created by the Accor Hotels brand. From the moment you enter, your needs are taken care of by the friendly, approachable and knowledgeable staff. The rooms are beautifully appointed and the fact that there is a lovely social space in the form of a bar and restaurant is a new addition and concept to the city.
Novotel Leicester is definitely the entrance into an exciting gateway into the Grand Central Square development. Welcome to the new generation of Leicester.
Tell me what do you think of the Novotel Leicester? Do you prefer the sleek modern look are do you like traditional? Leicester folk, how do you like the new addition to Leicester city centre?
Novotel Leicester
2 Great Central Street
Leicester
LE1 4JS
Tel. 0116 482 0440
More information and rates available on the Novotel Leicester website
Disclaimer: Our stay at The Novotel was complimentary however all opinions, views and photography are my own and remain a copyright of be-lavie.
