Novotel Lens Noyelles - Noyelles-Godault, France 

First time at this Novotel. Usually stay at the Novotel at Lille Airport. As is usual with Novotels in this area, service was standard and good. If you are staying at this hotel on your own, and have nothing to do in the evening it doe shave the advantage of having a late night shopping centre next to it - it is a sort of Lakeside/Bluewater type.

This was the first of in a 3 night, 3 hotel stop en route with my wife and three cats relocating permanently from SW England to Abruzzo in Italy. See other reviews about the Novotel Macon Nord; and Best Western Farnese International in Parma where we also stayed on this trip. With 3 cats, we needed pet-friendly hotels - surprisingly easy to find on mainland Europe - and also rooms large enough to take two adults, three cats - and (ahem) a kitty-litter tray. Novotel fitted the bill. The hotel itself is simple to find. Literally moments off a motorway interchange. Ample free parking. Reception light, bright, modern and airy. Receptionist very welcoming and had all the booking details - plus those of feline guests. Room was extremely good. A free upgrade to double room + sofa-bed. Excellent size; pleasant decor; very comfortable; well-designed bathrom and good quality complimentary toiletries. Aircon/heating worked very well. Good clothes hanging/storage space; extra pillows in room. On the downside, bar and restaurant not cheap. Gin/tonic was €7. Beer €3.50. Restaurant featured fairly extensive menu and small daily 'specials' menu with 2 starters/2 main courses. As we later discovered, the 'regular menu' was common to all Novotel hotels, with the 'specials' varying from location to location. A veal ragout from the special menu was very good. Obviously freshly-cooked. Desserts poor. House wine so-so. Breakfast €10.03/per person. Very good. Plentiful selection and good quality of cereal, bread, rolls, fruit, cheese, cold meat + scrambled eggs and bacon. Despite advertised charge of €10/per cat, our animals stayed free. Quick, easy, problem-free check-out. Although of variable quality - general hotel decor very good; room very comfortable and good; staff very pleasant; but food/drink expensive and ranging from good to ordinary in quality - I would unhesitatingly recommend this hotel for a 1-2 night stopover with/without animals - or children !