Lille's BEST Hotel? Novotel Centre Gares Review!
Lille's BEST Hotel? Novotel Centre Gares Review! - A Messy, Honest, and (Hopefully) Helpful Take!
Alright, folks, let's be real. I'm not a travel blogger, I'm just someone who spent a few nights at the Novotel Centre Gares in Lille and figured I'd spill the beans. Forget the polished brochure speak, this is gonna be real. And, let's be honest, I'm also trying to get you to click on a booking link, so, you know, there's that.
First Impressions? Not bad, actually. The location is a massive win. Right next to the train station (Gare Lille-Europe and Gare Lille-Flandres – easy peasy!), which is a godsend if, like me, you're lugging around way too much luggage. Accessibility? Okay, a quick note: the website says it's accessible, and from what I saw, they've made a good effort. There's an elevator (essential!), and I think the public areas are pretty navigable. But, and this is a big but, I'm not a wheelchair user, so I can't give you a definitive verdict. Best to contact the hotel directly for specifics – they should be helpful.
Check-in? Pretty smooth, actually. Contactless? Yes, they offer it, which is great in these times. Front desk [24-hour]? Yep, always a comfort. The staff seemed friendly enough, though sometimes a bit…overly efficient, if you know what I mean? Like, they're clearly trained, but maybe a little less personality. But hey, I'm probably just being grumpy.
The Room - My Sanctuary (Mostly!)
My room? Okay, let's break it down. Air conditioning? Thank goodness, yes! Lille can get surprisingly warm. Wi-Fi [free]? Absolutely, and it worked! (Crucial for me, obviously). In-room safe box? Yes. Coffee/tea maker? Yes, a lifesaver after a long train journey. Blackout curtains? YES! My saviour! I love sleeping in and the blackout curtains were a blessing. Bed? Comfy enough. Not the most luxurious I've ever slept in, but perfectly adequate. Bathroom? Clean, functional. Shower? Decent water pressure. Towels? Fluffy. Extra long bed? Yes!
The Imperfections (Because Life Isn't Perfect, Right?)
- The carpet. Okay, this is a minor gripe, but the carpet in the hallways looked a little tired. Not filthy, just…seen better days. Minor nitpicking, I know.
- The view? My room faced…another building. Not exactly postcard material. But hey, I wasn’t there for the view, I was there to sleep.
- The soundproofing. Although the hotel claims soundproof rooms, I could sometimes hear other guests, especially when they were going in and out of their rooms.
Cleanliness and Safety - The "COVID-19 Era" Stuff
Okay, let's get serious. Hygiene certification? I'm not sure about a specific certification, but they seemed to be taking things seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? I'm assuming they were using them. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yes, I saw staff doing it. Rooms sanitized between stays? I'd guess so. Hand sanitizer? Plenty available. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Mostly observed. Masks? People were wearing them. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, but it was a bit…different. (More on that later). Individually-wrapped food options? Yes. Safe dining setup? Yes.
Breakfast - A Tale of Two (or Three!) Experiences
Breakfast was…an experience. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, but it was a modified buffet. You had to ask the staff to serve you, which is understandable in the current climate. Buffet in restaurant? Yes, but again, see above. Breakfast takeaway service? Absolutely.
- Day 1: I was starving. The buffet looked…tempting. The staff were, as I said, efficient. I ordered some croissants, some fruit, and some coffee. It was…fine. Nothing to write home about.
- Day 2: I was feeling a bit more adventurous. I tried the bacon, which was…okay. The coffee was definitely better.
- Day 3: I skipped the buffet and went for the breakfast takeaway service. It was, honestly, better than the buffet. The coffee was hot, the croissant was fresh, and I could eat it in peace in my room. Room service [24-hour]? Yes!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Hunger Games
- Restaurants? Yep, there's at least one.
- Bar? Yup. I had a beer one evening. It was…a beer. Perfectly acceptable. Poolside bar? Sadly, no pool.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes! Essential.
- Coffee shop? I didn't see one.
- Snack bar? I didn't see one.
- A la carte in restaurant? Yes, they had a menu.
- International cuisine in restaurant? Yes.
- Happy hour? I didn't notice one.
- Vegetarian restaurant? I didn't see one.
- Western cuisine in restaurant? Yes.
- Desserts in restaurant? Yes.
- Salad in restaurant? Yes.
- Soup in restaurant? Yes.
- Bottle of water? Yes, in your room (free).
Things to Do/Ways to Relax - The Spa Dream (or Lack Thereof)
Okay, this is where the Novotel is…not exactly a spa resort. Fitness center? Yes, but I didn't use it. Gym/fitness? Yes, but see above. Pool with view? Nope. Swimming pool? Nope. Spa? Nope. Sauna? Nope. Steamroom? Nope. Massage? Nope. Body scrub? Nope. Body wrap? Nope. Foot bath? Nope. Basically, if you’re looking for a pampering experience, this isn’t the place. But hey, it’s a city hotel, not a spa retreat!
Services and Conveniences - The Good, The Bad, and The (Mostly) Useful
- Concierge? Yes.
- Dry cleaning? Yes.
- Laundry service? Yes.
- Luggage storage? Yes.
- Elevator? Yes! (Essential).
- Facilities for disabled guests? As mentioned before, contact them directly.
- Air conditioning in public area? Yes.
- Cash withdrawal? Yes, I think.
- Currency exchange? I don’t think so.
- Daily housekeeping? Yes.
- Doorman? Sometimes.
- Business facilities? Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes.
- Convenience store? I didn't see one.
- Gift/souvenir shop? I didn't see one.
- Car park [on-site]? Yes, but it costs extra.
- Car park [free of charge]? Nope.
- Taxi service? Yes.
- Airport transfer? I didn't use it.
- Ironing service? Yes.
- Smoking area? Yes.
- Pets allowed? I don't think so.
For the Kids - Family-Friendly?
- Family/child friendly? Yes.
- Babysitting service? I don't know.
- Kids meal? I don't know.
Getting Around - Easy Peasy!
Airport transfer? Yes!
My Verdict?
Look, the Novotel Centre Gares isn't perfect. It's not a luxury hotel. But it's a solid choice. Cleanliness and safety? Good enough. Location? Brilliant. Rooms? Comfortable enough. Staff? Efficient, if not overly friendly. Price? Probably reasonable.
Would I stay there again? Yes, probably. Especially if I needed to be near the train station. It’s a good, practical choice for a city break.
Now, for the Pitch (because, you know, I need that click!)
Tired of cramped hotel rooms and questionable locations? Craving a stress-free trip to Lille, where you can step off the train and be practically in your hotel? The Novotel Centre Gares is your answer
Kanyakumari's Hidden Gem: Hotel Bharani - Unforgettable Stay!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is the Novotel Lille Centre Gares, France, through the bleary eyes of yours truly. And let me tell you, it's gonna be a ride.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (and Croque Monsieur)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Lille Europe station: Okay, first things first, the train. I hate trains. Always feel like I'm trapped in a metal sardine can with questionable ventilation. But hey, France! And the Gare (station) itself is actually pretty damn impressive. Massive, glass, modern…makes me feel incredibly insignificant, but in a cool, architecturally-respectful way.
- 14:30 - Check in to Novotel: The Novotel. Ah, a haven of beige and predictability. It's fine. Clean, functional, the staff are polite…but where's the soul? I mean, I'm expecting a little "bonjour, mademoiselle, we've pre-heated your existential dread" from the front desk. No such luck.
- 15:00 - Room Reconnaissance: So, the room. Standard. Bed. Desk. Tiny TV I'll probably never turn on. The view? Well, it's of another building. Fantastic. I'm sure there's a fascinating story to be told about the people in that building. Maybe they're plotting world domination. Or maybe they're just having a really boring afternoon. I'll never know.
- 16:00 - The Croque Monsieur Crisis: Okay, serious business now. Hunger pangs are setting in. Found a little brasserie nearby. Ordered a Croque Monsieur. It looked perfect. Cheese bubbling, ham peeking out, crusty bread…but…the taste? It tasted like…a perfectly average Croque Monsieur. The crushing disappointment. I needed a life-changing Croque Monsieur. I needed a spiritual awakening through cheese and bread. This…wasn't it. I sat there, staring into the abyss of mediocrity, pondering the futility of all things. Then I ate the whole damn thing. Because, cheese.
- 18:00 - Wandering the Streets: I felt the need to walk. To feel something other than the blandness of my hotel room and the Croque Monsieur. Walked towards the Grand Place. The architecture is, admittedly, stunning. Gilded facades, Flemish influences…it's a feast for the eyes. But I'm also freezing my butt off. November in Lille is not messing around.
- 19:30 - Dinner at…somewhere. I forget. I'm going to be honest. I wandered into a restaurant that looked vaguely inviting. The waiter was charming, the food was…French. I think I had duck. It's all a bit of a blur. Wine helps with that.
- 21:00 - Back to the Hotel, Bed, and the Eternal Question: What am I doing with my life?
Day 2: Doubling Down on the Market & The Art Museum
- 09:00 - Breakfast at the Novotel: Standard. The pastries are probably the best thing. I mean, who doesn't love a croissant?
- 10:00 - The Wazemmes Market: The Second Chance! Yesterday, I just browsed the market. Today, I'm going in deep. This is where the real Lille lives. The smells! The sounds! The vibrant chaos! Stalls overflowing with cheese, sausages, flowers, spices… it's overwhelming. I bought some olives that were so good, they made me momentarily forget the Croque Monsieur travesty. I even attempted some French. Result? A confused smile from the vendor and a handful of olives. Worth it.
- 11:30 - Market Anecdote: Okay, this is where it gets good. There was this elderly woman, selling handmade hats. Ridiculous, flamboyant hats. I mean, one looked like a giant purple flower. She saw me staring, and with a twinkle in her eye, she pulled out a hat that looked like a giant, neon-green frog. "For you, monsieur!" she cackled. I almost bought it. Almost. The temptation was real. But the fear of looking like a complete idiot in a frog hat won. Regret.
- 13:00 - Lunch at a Creperie: Found a little creperie in the market. Savory crepe with ham and cheese (again, but this time, better!). Sweet crepe with Nutella (because, self-care). Life is good, for a moment.
- 14:30 - Musée des Beaux-Arts: Needed a bit of culture to counteract the market mayhem. The art museum is huge. A lot of paintings. A lot of gold frames. I spent an hour in the sculpture garden, which was actually quite lovely. The art itself? Some good, some…less good. I'm no art critic. I just know what I like. And I like a good sculpture garden.
- 17:00 - The Great Coffee Quest: Now, this is where things got real. I needed coffee. Desperately. The hotel coffee was…well, you know. I went on a mission to find the perfect cup. I wandered, I searched, I asked for directions. Finally, I stumbled upon a tiny little café, run by a barista who looked like he'd stepped out of a hipster magazine. He poured me a coffee that was so good, it made me weep. Literally. Okay, maybe not weep. But it was damn good. And that, my friends, is the true Lille experience.
- 19:00 - Dinner Plans? Ugh, more decisions. I'm exhausted from all this…living. Maybe I'll just order room service. Or maybe I'll brave the world again. Maybe I'll just eat a bag of chips in bed. The possibilities are endless. And terrifying.
Day 3: Departure & The Lingering Taste of Olives
- 09:00 - Breakfast at the Novotel (again): I'm starting to feel like a regular. The pastry chef knows my weakness.
- 10:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt: Okay, gotta get something for the family. Chocolate? Postcards? Something that screams "I went to France!" without actually being France. This is always a stressful exercise.
- 11:00 - Farewell to Lille: Said goodbye to the market, the coffee shop, and the memory of the frog hat.
- 12:00 - Train back to reality: The train is once again a metal sardine can. But this time, I have olives. And the memory of a really good cup of coffee. And that, my friends, is all that matters.
So, there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and utterly human experience of Lille. The Novotel? Fine. The city? Worth the trip. And the Croque Monsieur? Still a mystery. But the olives? The olives were perfect. Now, where's that frog hat?
Siargao's Hidden Gem: Mariden Resort & Homestay Paradise!
Alright, spill! Is the Novotel Centre Gares REALLY the "best" hotel in Lille? My expectations are high!
Okay, "best" is a *strong* word, right? Look, I’m not going to lie, when I booked it, I was picturing a slightly more... *grand* experience. Like, I imagined myself lounging in a plush robe, sipping champagne while gazing at the Eiffel Tower (wait, wrong city). It’s NOT the Ritz. BUT, and this is a big but, for the price and the location, it’s pretty darn solid. Think of it as your reliable, slightly quirky friend who always has your back. It's not winning any beauty contests, but it gets the job done.
Location, Location, Location! How's the positioning of this place? Is it easy to get around?
OMG, YES! The location is AMAZING. I mean, the name says it all: "Centre Gares." It's *literally* right next to the Lille-Europe and Lille-Flandres train stations. This is HUGE if you're like me, and spent a good portion of your life being hopelessly late. Stepping off the train and practically falling into the hotel is a win. Plus, it's walking distance to the old town (Vieux Lille), which is where all the magic happens – the cobblestone streets, the cute shops, the… well, we’ll get to the food later. Let's just say, my credit card took a beating.
The Rooms! Tell me about the rooms! Are they cramped? Are they clean? Do they have decent views?
Okay, the rooms are... fine. They're not palatial suites, but they're clean, and that's the main thing, right? My room was a bit on the smaller side, but hey, I'm not there to hang out in the room all day! It was perfectly functional. The bed? Comfortable enough. The view? Well, let's just say I wasn't exactly staring at the Eiffel Tower. More like, a view of the… roof of the train station. Charming, right? But honestly, after a long day of wandering around Lille, all I needed was a clean bed and a hot shower, and it delivered on that front. The bathroom was a bit dated, but everything worked. I did notice the hairdryer sounded like a jet engine taking off, which was amusing.
Breakfast! Is the breakfast buffet worth it? Because I LOVE a good breakfast buffet.
Ah, breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. The buffet is decent, but nothing to write home about. Think standard continental fare: pastries, bread, cereal, some sad-looking scrambled eggs (they always are, aren’t they?). The coffee was… well, it's coffee. Drinkable, but not exactly a gourmet experience. Here's the thing though: I’m a buffet *fiend*. I will eat everything. I’ll make multiple trips. And I *did* make multiple trips. My inner child was screaming with joy. So, was it worth it? For me, yes. For a breakfast snob? Maybe not. My advice: manage your expectations.
Let's talk about the staff! Were they friendly? Helpful? Did they speak English?
The staff were generally lovely. They were polite, helpful, and spoke English well, which is a huge relief when you're trying to navigate a foreign city, especially with my atrocious French. I had a minor issue with my room key (classic me), and they sorted it out quickly and efficiently. They were also super helpful with directions, which was great because, let's face it, I get lost in my own house. No complaints there!
Is there anything I should watch out for? Any downsides?
Okay, a few things. The air conditioning in my room was a bit temperamental. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I ended up just opening the window, which, in the middle of Lille, resulted in a symphony of street noise. So, pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Also, the elevators can be slow, especially during peak times. Be prepared to wait, or, you know, take the stairs (if you're feeling ambitious). The hotel also felt a bit… sterile. It lacked a certain "je ne sais quoi." It wasn't exactly oozing with personality, if you know what I mean.
Okay, so the big question: Would you stay there again?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. For the location alone, it's hard to beat. It's clean, it's convenient, and it's reasonably priced. Look, it's not going to be the highlight of your life, but it's a solid, reliable option. If you're looking for luxury, look elsewhere. But if you're prioritizing location and practicality, the Novotel Centre Gares is a good choice. Just don't expect to be blown away. Think of it as the dependable friend who always shows up and never lets you down. And that, my friends, is sometimes all you need.
That 'Je ne sais quoi' you mentioned... Can you elaborate? Any little details you found charming, or maybe not so much?
Okay, let me tell you about the *one* time I saw something that made me crack a smile. The lobby bar. It was... well, it was a bar. Nothing special. But one evening, I was sitting there, nursing a very average glass of wine, and I saw the most hilarious thing. There was this older gentleman, clearly on his own, meticulously building a tower of sugar packets. Like, seriously, a *massive* sugar packet tower. It was epic. And then, he knocked it over. Twice. He just shrugged, smiled to himself, and started again. It was the most wonderfully absurd thing I'd seen all day. THAT, my friends, was a little bit of that 'je ne sais quoi'. It was a tiny, fleeting moment of pure, unadulterated human weirdness, and it made the whole experience worthwhile. So, yes, the hotel itself might be a bit bland, but you never know what kind of quirky encounter you might stumble upon. Lille is full of surprises, and even a 'meh' hotel can be a launchpad for adventure.
Okay, last question: Would you recommend it for [Specific Type of Traveler]? Like, families? Couples? Solo travelers?
