"We stayed here for one night as a family of four before visiting Venice, and overall I’d describe it as a perfectly adequate stopover rather than somewhere I’d choose for a longer stay.
The highlight of our stay was the reception team. The lady who checked us in was exceptionally friendly and helpful. She suggested using the hotel’s shuttle service, which turned out to be an excellent tip. For a very reasonable price (around €15 per adult and €7 per child), we were taken by shuttle from the hotel to a water taxi, which then dropped us right by St. Mark’s Square. We quickly booked online using a QR code from reception and it made getting into Venice incredibly straightforward.
Our family room was comfortable, with a double bed and a sofa bed already made up for the children. The beds and pillows were comfortable, the air conditioning worked well, and everyone slept well. However, the room itself felt quite dated. The décor looked as though it hadn’t changed since the 1990s/early 2000s, and the bathroom, with its older plastic fittings and light wood finishes, could really do with modernising. Nothing was broken or unclean, but it definitely lacked the feel of a modern four-star hotel. Whilst many hotels have a lovely boutique smell, the Novotel smells a bit like a urinal block.
The hotel also has a swimming pool, which our children really enjoyed after a day sightseeing. That was a welcome bonus and certainly one of the better features.
Unfortunately, the restaurant was the biggest disappointment. The staff were polite and friendly, particularly the chap who moved from the bar to serve in the restaurant, but the service was extremely slow despite the restaurant not being busy. We waited a long time before anyone offered drinks or a menu, and our drinks actually arrived after the food. We repeatedly had to chase things up, which made what should have been a relaxed family meal feel frustrating. We skipped the first course because it was clear it would take too long.The food itself was quite nice, but the slow service really let the hotel down. Interestingly, another guest we spoke to, who had been staying for several days, was quite damning about the restaurant service, so it didn’t seem to be a one-off.
Breakfast the following morning was also very disappointing. Large tour groups arrived at the same time, leaving the buffet struggling to keep up. Food wasn’t replenished quickly enough, and the overall experience felt crowded and chaotic. The quality of the breakfast itself was fairly average.
One suggestion for the hotel would be to install a few vending machines. The location is somewhat isolated, close to a main road, and while there’s a petrol station nearby, there isn’t a shop or other convenience shop for buying bottled water or snacks. Having a vending machine available would make life much easier for guests arriving late or returning after sightseeing.
The location itself is a little unusual and feels more like an airport hotel than a city hotel. That said, thanks to the excellent shuttle service, reaching Venice was quick and hassle-free.
Overall, I’d say this hotel works well as a one-night stopover before or after travelling, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere with parking and an easy connection into Venice. The helpful reception staff and convenient shuttle service were excellent, and the pool was a hit with our children. However, the dated rooms, disappointing restaurant service and average breakfast mean I don’t feel it offered particularly good value at around €166 per night. It’s perfectly acceptable for a short stay, but I probably wouldn’t choose it for a longer visit."
