Every year we plan a few big trips together, Timothy and I. When we heard ÖBB’s proposal to launch Nightjet service to Brussels in December 2019 we jumped on the occasion and included a ride back home from Austria to Belgium on the Nightjet after our autumn Berlin, Czechia and Slovakia trip. However as we all know in early 2020 an annoying new coronavirus, COVID-19, appeared and shook up travel all over the world. We changed our plans to an itinerary in ‘safe’ Germany including stops in Leipzig, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Munich, Lindau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen from where we would take a short train ride to Innsbruck to board our Nightjet back home.

In Nurnberg we once again had a hotel close to the station, the Novotel Nurnberg City Centre. It’s located along hotel row at the right hand side when leaving the station. It is a fairly new Novotel which can be recognised by the modern building and interior design. Upon check-in we were welcomed by the friendly front desk employee who had to disappoint us by telling us that the room would not be available yet after double checking with housekeeping. We could store our bags at the hotel and go out to visit the DB Museum. After our visit to the museum we returned back to the hotel and received our room keys.

As I am a ALL Gold member I received an upgrade to an executive room on the top level, conveniently located on the same level as the gym and swimming pool. It was a nicely appointed room with 2 double beds and power plugs at both sides. There also was a little sofa and desk as well as a wardrobe with bathrobes. The minibar and coffee and tea facilities were also complimentary in executive rooms. For Novotel standards the beds where nice soft and comfortable with plenty of pillows.

The bathroom itself was rather small but had everything it needed. The walk-in rain shower was a delight to shower under. The toiletries where big dispensers which always gives a bit of cheap vibe.

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At the elevators on level 6 was a manned welcome desk for the pool, gym and wellness areas, here you could book some treatments if you wanted. The friendly lady also gave out slippers if you desired so. The pool had a wonderful overview of the nearby station and had both a big swimming pool for swimming as well as a smaller pool for kids. The gym also had plenty of good equipment for a work out.

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In the morning the breakfast was very well and corona proof organised. You could still walk around the buffet, but everything was behind a glass counter. You could just point and ask what you wanted to the staff serving you from behind the desks and they would plate all food for you. There also was a made to order egg stand which made eggs to your liking. The breakfast spread was varied and delicious and of the standard you would expect from a Novotel. The corona countermeasures put into place where exemplary and well executed.

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All in all we had a very pleasant stay at Novotel Nurnberg City Centre and if this is the standard all Novotels operate to today I would not mind staying at other Novotels in the future.

Have you stayed at Novotel and how did you experience it? Let us know in the comments below!