Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: Accor

Cardiff – Mercure Cardiff North

I didn’t get around at the time to writing about the Mercure Cardiff North hotel where we stayed for my birthday weekend in Cardiff in November. This is an Accor branded hotel and I had booked some time in advance, with the rates being very reasonable.

Firstly, there’s something unusual about their online reviews on Google as nearly every single one mentions a staff member by name. This isn’t usual on Google and doesn’t really help people get a fair understanding of what is happening here. If I read through the verified visits on Accor’s website, the situation is more as I would expect and staff members are rarely named, so that feels more reliable.

Instead of using my normal metric of Google Reviews, I’m going to use the Accor aggregated score, which shows that this hotel has a rating of 3.9 which is towards the lower end of the scale for the chain.

In fairness, the hotel was managing perfectly well at the accommodation element that was offered here. Liam and I had a twin room which was clean, at the appropriate temperature and everything worked as expected. There were no noise issues, either from inside or outside the hotel, so that all felt positive. The interior felt generally modern and so I suspect that there has been a refurbishment here recently.

I think my main negative about this hotel is I don’t know why they’re trying to be part of Accor. The hotel was playing fast and loose with the loyalty scheme offered by Accor and didn’t offer most of the benefits.

The situation with the welcome drink was downright awkward as the member of bar staff said that it was one drink a room. This isn’t right, this has never been right and it’s really not something I want to debate as it’s hard not to sound entitled about the matter. But holding Liam’s drink hostage whilst the staff members blamed each other is entirely sub-optimal. The reception desk resolved the matter, but the concept of the welcome drink was rather lost at this point.

It was partly a shame that the bar service was borderline rude as the drinks selection wasn’t unreasonable and although they’d made no effort getting local drinks in, at least they had a couple of options such as this Singha.

We had breakfast included in our room rates and on the first day it was poor, the second day it was better. it might not be relevant to me personally, but I like that they’re trying to do a gluten free area, but it could perhaps be a little more, er, exciting.

To be fair, I suspect guests would have worked out the labelling error here.

The hot food options, although this isn’t perhaps the best way to keep the food hot. As with the drinks at the bar, there was no effort to source food locally which is a shame as numerous Accor hotels are keen to do at least something.

The first day’s breakfast options were broadly dreadful. The bacon was dripping with grease, the cold cuts were of a very low quality, the cheese was already sweating in the displays and the whole arrangement looked sub-optimal.

I do agree with Richard’s comment that it’s a shame that there isn’t any fresh bread available here. But, to be fair to the hotel, this isn’t as common in the UK as it is on the European mainland.

They actually had fried eggs on the second day and the presentation of the food was much better. That bacon isn’t cooked anywhere as much as I’d like it, but I accept that’s a personal preference. The egg was cooked to my tastes and everything tasted as expected.

Overall, I thought that the stay was fine as the room was clean, the team members were generally friendly and there were no noise issues. Certainly breakfast could have been better on the first day, but we got there just as service started and it’s easy to be critical. My main comment about the hotel is that they should perhaps either embrace (or at least accept) the rules that Accor set them, or just go independent and be free of those guardrails.

December 31, 2025
Warsaw – Novotel Warszawa Centrum

I would show a photo of the clear exterior of the Novotel, but it was too foggy to see it, but it is to the right hand side of the photo.

I’ve written about this hotel numerous times before, it’s one of my favourites. It’s a towering great affair near to the Palace of Science and Culture and a short walk away from the railway station.

One downside about the incredible growth of Poland’s economy is that hotel prices are routinely much higher than they were, so it’s rare that this hotel is an affordable option now. Luckily, Sunday rates are much lower and there was a friendly welcome at the front desk and they’d kindly upgraded me. They also mentioned it was a while since I’d visited, so I was secretly pleased that their computer hadn’t entirely forgotten about me.

My welcome gifts, local apple juice and chocolate biscuit things.

I arrived at the hotel just five minutes before the bar closed, which had the advantage that I was able to get my welcome drink. Żywiec Porter is always a favourite of mine, malty and rich, certainly good to eat the welcome chocolates with.

The view from the window over Warsaw and the Palace of Science and Culture is sort of visible on the right. I find watching the trams going through the roundabout quite peaceful and relaxing, I always get Sim City vibes sitting up here.

This might not have been the longest of stays, but the room was clean and there were no internal noise issues. I like traffic noise so I opened the window and the sounds of the city didn’t disappoint, Warsaw always feels like a vibrant place. And I use vibrant here in the positive sense, I sometimes refer to pubs as vibrant, by which I mean I feel that they’re close to having a riot.

I had initially intended to stay in Warsaw for a few days, but I accidentally booked a return flight to Madeira. This meant that my intended relaxing stay in the Novotel was rather cut short as I had to leave the hotel at 08:00 to get the train back to the airport. It was foggy, slightly cold and nicely refreshing.

December 19, 2025
Venice – Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana

Another day, another Accor hotel…. This one is the Novotel, around a thirty minute walk from Venice Mestre railway station.

I was pleased to get an upgrade to an executive room, so I felt like a proper business professional….. Or something like that.

I hate connecting rooms, but fortunately, there were no issues with noise or light on this one. The hotel had themselves put a little barricade up, which saved me doing it.

There were some free drinks in the fridge, along with a Nespresso machine.

The view from the window. The old city is off to the left in the distance.

It took 11 minutes to be served at the bar, which felt a little sub-optimal, although I was collecting a free welcome drink so it’s hard to be too annoyed. There was a very large group in the restaurant that was taking up the staff’s time, but they probably could have been more aware of the customers starting to queue at the bar. The team members were all friendly and helpful, just heavily overworked when I was there.

This was an anti-climax, a small glass of Peroni, which tasted chemical, metallic and bland. It felt a slight shame that the hotel didn’t have something similar to the nearby Mercure hotel.

The restaurant in the back might have been at capacity, but the bar wasn’t….. Here we are after the team members had served the customers at the bar.

The old part of Venice was visible by zooming in…..

Anyway, I liked this hotel as the team members were friendly, the room was clean, I got an upgrade and there were no noise issues. The hotel was dealing with a very large group of customers when I was there and that impacts service somewhat, but I was happy with my room at the end of the corridor on the top floor, away from all that frivolity. If they could just upgrade their bar options though, that would be lovely.

December 16, 2025
Venice – Mercure Venezia Marghera

I had one night at this Mercure hotel in Venice, around a twenty minute walk from the railway station although I think that there are regular buses there as well. I took this photo when leaving as my night-time photo is a little unclear.

And here’s that photo as I arrived quite late in the evening. There’s a motorway to the left and the walk here involved going down a quiet little footpath which felt slightly oppressive.

There was a very friendly welcome at reception and I went over to the bar to get my welcome drink and of course wanted a beer. I had rather expected a choice of one beer, but the helpful team member put on the bar all of the options that she had so that certainly surprised and delighted me.

I opted for this one, the Birra Dolomiti Rossa, a quite punchy red ale from Fabbrica di Pedavena brewery. There was a malty taste as well as some sweetness to the whole arrangement, very agreeable. I hadn’t expected to see so many local beers, as well as some national options, far too few hotels offer that.

It was a pleasant restaurant and bar area, my first impressions of the hotel were very positive.

These impressions were also lifted as the team member at reception had mentioned that I’d been upgraded. I liked this.

The team member mentioned that all of the drinks in the mini bar were free, so that meant that I had more welcome drinks….

And some Nespresso coffees.

And the view from the window.

As might be apparent, I very much liked this hotel and didn’t have any noise issues either internally or externally. I was put at the end of a corridor, so as I like it, with the room being clean and comfortable. The bathroom also had a bath, a feature that isn’t common enough, with the temperature in the room being appropriate for me after I had opened the window to make it cold. Definitely recommended.

December 16, 2025
Bucharest – Ibis Styles Bucharest Airport

I accept that this isn’t a perfect photo, but I had taken two flights and a rather packed bus from Bucharest Băneasa airport to get here. This is the Accor operated Ibis Styles hotel, which is where I was spending my final night of my near two week trip around various bits of Europe.

There was a very friendly welcome from the team member at reception and he mentioned about the free breakfast. When I said that I’d be leaving too early, he said that the hotel can arrange something in these circumstances, which was much appreciated. He also mentioned that they had upgraded my room and I very much liked this as well.

Very comfortable. The design felt both a bit 1980s and also modern, it had a homely feel that I liked. Ibis Styles are known for their slight quirkiness and they brand their hotels around a theme, with this one being air travel which feels appropriate.

My welcome drink of beer and also my welcome gift of fruit. I’ll be honest and say that I prefer chocolates, crisps, beer or random souvenirs, but a gift is a gift and was much appreciated. I also love seeing a Nespresso machine in a room, so I indulged in coffees.

Some of the room decoration.

I like traffic noise, so I opened the window happily, although the double glazing is very effective at keeping the noise out, including from the next door airport.

With my breakfast collected, it was time for the early morning walk to the airport. And more on both of those in the next post….

But, overall, this was an excellent hotel, with friendly service, clean rooms and no noise issues. I felt very welcome and after two flights in one day, with another one early the following morning, I felt entirely rested by the time I woke up. This is a hotel that I’d certainly be happy to book again when I’m next in the Bucharest area.

December 14, 2025
Rimini – Mercure Rimini Lungomare

My night’s accommodation in Rimini was in the Accor operated Mercure Rimini Lungomare (lungomare is Italian for seafront). I suspect that this is quite a busy hotel during the summer months, although I can’t imagine that the demand is quite as high in November. I noticed several hotels along the seafront just close up for the winter months.

My room was upgraded and I had a rather nice balcony.

After I had worked out how to open the door (I suspect it was a child lock, so that will of course defeat me for some time) this was the view from my balcony. I always think this is lovely, but then promptly never go back out onto the balcony.

My very nice private balcony, which I didn’t go back out onto after looking out here.

Very lovely.

I’m not sure exactly what they are, but they were very nice.

The staff member at reception was particularly friendly and personable when I checked-in, so I felt very welcome. He mentioned that I could have a free drink between 19:00 and 21:00 which I privately thought seemed a bit limited for the bar opening. He then explained that this was extra to my welcome drink, which I could have at any time, and it was a hotel’s way of welcoming guests with snacks and a drink. I very much liked this arrangement.

These were the free snacks offered in the evening and this is something I’d like to see in many other locations.

I went for white wine, which I thought was very Italian.

I then went off for my two hour long walk and decided to switch back to beer. Well, Peroni, which is similar. And some more snacks. I sat outside to be continental although I think it was about minus three.

Breakfast the next morning, which had a fine selection of meats, cheeses, breads and the like.

Delicious.

There was no shortage of Nutella.

My first course.

I liked my first croissant, so I had another one. This pistachio tart thing was also very delicious.

Richard would have liked this, make your own orange juice from, well, oranges. I had quite a few glasses of this.

Anyway, I really liked this hotel, with no noise disturbances either internally or externally. I liked the welcome gift, the welcome beer, the welcome wine and the welcome food, so I definitely felt welcome. The hotel was spotless, the staff were friendly and the nightly rate was very reasonable. The breakfast was delicious and this Accor Hotel certainly surprised and delighted me.

December 4, 2025
Ljubljana – Day Three (Ibis Styles)

We were all staying in Accor’s Ibis Styles for the three nights that we were in Ljubljana, a conveniently located hotel just a short walk away from the bus stop and railway station.

The set-up here is a little different to the usual Ibis Styles arrangement, as they also have a hostel on the seventh floor which means more social areas are provided for the entire hotel. There is a rooftop bar, which I confess that we forgot to visit.

We were all on different floors, but I think that the rooms looked the same. The bathroom set-up is very Ibis Styles… My room felt functional and bare, but it was clean and I had what I needed. Well, other than a welcome gift….

The view from the hotel over to Ljubljana Castle.

I had been fortunate to obtain a favourable rate that also included breakfast, although the others had booked room options without the breakfast. I didn’t intend to miss out though.

I didn’t bother with the hot options as the cold options were plentiful, but there were some eggs and sausages as well.

Bread, blue cheese, tomatoes, olives, cucumber, salami, croissant, bread and butter, all really rather lovely.

I always find it handy when they do this. I went down between 07:00 and 08:00 to fit in with the others and it was always quiet.

And my welcome drink, which I picked up on the final night. It’s not a beer that I’ve had before, but it was dark and interesting.

As an aside, I liked the lights outside the room which clearly indicated to the cleaning staff who wanted the room cleaned. I opted to just collect the 100 Accor points every night by not having the room cleaned, as every little helps…

I really rather liked this hotel, the staff were friendly, the room was clean, there were no internal or external noise, everything worked properly, there was a nice welcome drink and the breakfast was of a decent quality. I’d certainly stay here again if I come back to the city, which I likely will.

November 29, 2025
Genoa – Novotel Genova City

My first night in Genoa was at the keenly priced Novotel, around a twenty minute bus journey away from the airport (well, after a twenty minute walk as well).

I popped to the bar to get my welcome drink.

And after eight minutes I went back to reception as there were no bar staff. Incidentally, the reception desk were friendly and engaging, it was a very welcoming hotel.

The matter was promptly addressed and I got my Peroni, which tasted of metal and disappointment.

The bedroom. I didn’t turn either of them on, but this is the smaller of the two televisions in the apartment.

And the lounge area as well as the hotel had kindly upgraded me to their apartment suite. I did like having that desk and I had more than enough power points to plug devices into.

I didn’t really need a kitchen as well. The free welcome drinks were handy though.

Nor two huge drawers of plates, glasses and other assorted items.

The Nespresso machine with a kettle for teas.

And a microwave.

I had an entire room for a closet as well, I nearly put my one shirt up in the wardrobe to make the most of it.

The view from the room. The air conditioning in the rooms worked well, but I like having a bit of city noise and the windows opened wide which also helped fresh air get in as well.

Breakfast was suitably quiet at 07:15.

Croissants.

I usually skip hot items at breakfast, but the bacon was suitably burnt for my tastes and so I had some of that.

Hams and other items. Unfortunately, the allergens situation here was poorly handled, they were using shared tongs for cheeses, meats and olives. That meant that they had meat, dairy and all other allergens on numerous items, so I’m not sure that anyone with dietary issues would be entirely content here.

Very lovely.

And cake for breakfast is always lovely.

The online reviews for the hotel aren’t entirely positive, but I was pleased with everything. I think the car park charges are a bit high, but that’s hardly something that I need to bother myself with. I suspect that some elements of the hotel are due a refurbishment judging from the reviews, although the public areas looked shiny.

This hotel was very cheap as I was using rewards night, with the size of the upgrade being something of a pleasant surprise. There were a few minor cleanliness issues, but nothing of any concern, with the staff members always being friendly and helpful. I would stay here again if I was visiting Genoa again (well, obviously I won’t stay here if I don’t visit the city, but I digress).

November 5, 2025
Wrocław – Novotel Wrocław Centrum

This is the building that Ibis and Novotel share in Wrocław and I’ve stayed at the former before (it seems that’s something else that I have to write up). The standards here are high, there’s an efficiency with Accor Hotels in Poland that simply isn’t matched by great swathes of the rest of the chain.

The view from the hotel room overlooking central Wrocław and some construction work, although that didn’t cause any noise issues. The reception desk here is always full of enthusiasm, it’s a lovely first impression. I was upgraded as well which I decided not to turn down.

I had stayed at the Ibis a few weeks ago and there’s a shared bar, so I was aware of the rather excellent choice of welcome drinks from a local brewery. The team member was also knowledgeable about them all, this was a very good tropical tasting slightly sour wheat beer from Browar Prost.

The welcome gift which came with another free beer. Those are chocolates and they’re very moreish.

And the mini-bar was free, fortunately there was a sign on it stating that. This was very generous, part of the free room upgrade that they offered.

The hot drinks arrangement.

The room was light, spacious and comfortable. And spotlessly clean.

I didn’t get breakfast as I was going to the airport relatively early, but this was a quite lovely stay. The room has blackout curtains which are very effective, there were no noise issues internally or externally and everything just worked.

I keep writing this, but it’s true and so I will keep on doing it, but Accor hotels in Poland are run as well as any other chain that I can think of. They continue to surprise and delight. The hotel is a ten to fifteen minute walk from the city centre, but there is a tram stop outside which whisks passengers to the heart of Wrocław in just a few minutes.

October 20, 2025
Bournemouth – Ibis Styles

This was a cheap hotel to stay at on a Sunday night but was convenient for my planned flight from Bournemouth Airport. I genuinely have no idea why they’re trying to be part of Accor though, they need to leave or they’re perhaps likely to be thrown out soon enough.

There was a lot of noise from neighbouring rooms even at check-in, which reception could hear. I should have really upgraded as Platinum Accor and I say that not out of privilege, but because they didn’t really seem to care about anything. I’m also not sure why they’re trying to be part of Ibis Styles, there’s not really much here that fits into that brand.

There was a welcome drink which they didn’t pro-actively mention but I claimed anyway. There was no welcome gift, but I could be asked about does it matter? Well, it sort of does, because most hotels in the Accor chain are complying with the standards they request and the Polish hotels operated by Orbis are offering ridiculously high standards. They’re upgrading, giving welcome gifts and almost going too far in meeting their obligations. It must be galling to the decent hotels to know that some other locations are not interested in committing in the way that they should.

There was no-one else in the bar area, which is actually reasonably pleasant. They don’t offer food, but the bar is open throughout the evening. This feels sub-optimal really, some considerable money has evidently been spent here in providing a decent and nice environment, although the marketing is all over the place.

I like this, it feels like a better way to contact the hotel.

In what might sound illogical, I’ll rate the breakfast as a disgrace to Accor even though I liked it. There was no hot food other than bacon, sausage and mozzarella rolls. I had the very last sausage roll and it was terrible, just junk food. Other guests didn’t get anything hot.

The reason I mention that I might not be being fair is that I liked the breakfast as I didn’t want any hot options. I had a lot of chorizo, indeed, I had all of it. The muffins were OK, but the fruit was absolutely fine. The yoghurts were adequate and the juices, when they refilled them, were generic but OK.

My complaint is that integrity is important. Don’t advertise a hot breakfast when there isn’t a hot breakfast. The reality that the hotel happened to stray into what I wanted isn’t perhaps the point. The online reviews are also very poor, there are clearly substantial issues here where guests continue to be disappointed.

The breakfast room was large and clean, this is clearly what the hotel used to have as a restaurant area. Again, someone has pumped money in here and so an effort has been made at some staff.

The rooms next to me came back at around 03:00 banging about. I’m oblivious to noise generally, but there should have been someone at reception dealing with this.

If this wasn’t an Accor hotel and I stayed here, I would have been content for the money. But, they’ve signed up to certain standards by being part of Accor and they’re playing fast and loose with it as far as I’m concerned. I think it’s important that managed hotels understand that they represent their brand they’ve signed up to and not just their own venue.

October 19, 2025