Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Tag: Accor Hotels

Gothenburg Trip – Day 0 (Ibis Styles Heathrow)

I’ve written about the Ibis Styles Heathrow before, so I shall just briefly mention the highlights for my two loyal blog readers. We had arrived in style in Richard’s decadent Uber, an unusual way for me to get here.

I had a view of the runway from my room and I was pleased to discover that they had shoved Richard at the back of the hotel looking at the car park.

The room interior.

All very nice for £40 a night. I was pleased to also discover that Richard had been given a smaller room as I’m petty like that.

The welcome drink beer selection.

It took me a while to find a politician I wanted on the TV behind and there’s Richard in a relaxed mood. It took me an hour to drink that beer, it didn’t surprise and delight.

In the morning there was Watergate when Richard realised I had an extra water bottle than him. He decided against complaining to the hotel management, although that would have made for an interesting watch.

Back to the hotel though, the team members were friendly, the location was clean and there were no noise disturbances either internally or externally. It’s only a five minute bus journey to the airport, so it’s a convenient place to stay. I’m not keen on windows that can’t be opened, I would have liked the noise of the city, but the air conditioning worked so it wasn’t too stuffy.

All in, I’d merrily stay here again, especially after Watergate.

March 6, 2026
Burton upon Trent – Ibis Styles

Back to mid-January, when Richard and I decided that we needed a little adventure and we opted for Burton upon Trent and the Ibis Styles there.

The corridor arrangement is clever, as if someone stains it then it’s not really evident. I’m fairly confident that this was the actual reason for this design as I can’t see anyone picking this by choice.

Richard was very excited that the room he had booked came with a kitchenette. I was pleased that mine did too, but solely as I didn’t want him having a better room than me (I’m not petty). As an aside, I personally don’t like these kitchens in rooms, they’re a nightmare to clean properly for the staff and require substantial maintenance for something that many guests aren’t going to want. Keeping a microwave and every piece of cutlery and crockery clean isn’t an easy thing to do, I can’t really see why they want to burden themselves with this.

Someone rather unkindly used AI to put a bottle of wine in the fridge and pretended that it was a welcome gift. Actually, on that point, there was no welcome gift, but I won’t labour that matter. Anyway, Richard was stomping about the place as he didn’t get a gift of wine but luckily I was able to reassure him before the manager was called. It would be helpful for Richard’s stress levels if people didn’t do this, but at least I calmed the matter down before there was a diplomatic incident. It was a good job that I was there to be honest.

There was a modern looking bar area, all rather comfortable.

It’s quite a clever mix of retro and modern, although it hadn’t exactly inspired hundreds of people to come in.

I would have preferred a wider range of beers, but in fairness, they have Pedigree which is an important beer locally so at least they’ve made an effort to have a local option.

As for the hotel in general, it was all clean, welcoming and well maintained. Richard didn’t end up having an argument with the manager and there were no noise issues either internally or externally. It’s a relatively new hotel and it faces competition from an IHG hotel literally next door, but it all seemed well managed.

February 27, 2026
Timișoara – Ibis Hotel

I try and stay loyal to Accor Hotels and they handily had this Ibis in Timișoara where I stayed for two nights.

These rooms are fine for me on my own, but they are getting a little too small now for those couples who might want to spend a few days here. I liked that the large picture by the bed was actually just a painted wall with a frame around it. They don’t have any larger rooms for upgrades, but I was given my preferred top floor room.

The view from my window.

Some of the cold options and at the rear dish in the middle of the photo is ajvar, something which I’m overly obsessed by. The meat quality here wasn’t great, so I ignored that. The breakfast room was also really odd, it simply wasn’t large enough despite all of the space that they have here, it’s poorly laid out. I managed to come down at times that there were tables free, but many guests were struggling to find a space to sit.

The breads and apple pies.

A big dollop of ajvar. Those sausages were odd, they looked delicious but were chewy and lacking in any depth of flavour.

I suspect the hotel staff were wondering where one of their dips kept going.

The welcome drink of Timișoreana lager which tasted mostly of metal and disappointment. The croissant was mine, but there was a welcome gift of chocolates from the hotel.

The online reviews of the hotel are very positive, so they’re clearly surprising and delighting lots of people. I rather liked this hotel, although their restaurant and bar area was frequently dominated by private groups. On the first night, they had closed the restaurant for a private group and although I had no intentions of eating there, it’s a little sub-optimal for guests. Anyway, if I’m back in the city, I’d likely stay here again.

February 19, 2026
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
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
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