by The Hotel
The Mercure St Albans Noke Hotel, a motorway hotel of sorts. 4 star rated and minutes from the M1 & M25 interchange on the outskirts of London. South its namesake cathedral city Saint Albans. Surprisingly not the closest Mercure to Harry Potter & Warner Brothers Studio Tour London.
What you get
The Hotel has obviously been upgraded or converted into a Mercure in recent times. With some obvious signs of age still creeping in. Arriving late afternoon, I was happy to find out that property was better than expected, for what I assumed was just a standard motorway hotel. I did not pay attention to the fact it was 4 star when I booked via my All Accor app. And earned myself a few extra reward points for the privalge.
After checking in to the hotel, and finally finding the bedroom, bit of a maze. I spent an hour on WiFi, sat at the, a little bit snug, desk. And then closed the laptop with every intention of swimming and then having dinner in the hotel.
The Pool is downstairs, and feels like a little secret cave full of water underneath the world, so swimming done. Tick !
Dinner however was a another matter. Opposite the hotel on the North Orbital road junction is a little service station, with Petrol, Subway and Starbucks. I had a free sub on the subway card, ready and waiting. So meatball Sub was on the agenda.
The Bedroom & Bed + Sleep Quality
If you have ever read any of my travel posts. I rarely find myself in a room with two single beds pushed together, to make a double. Tonight was not one of these occasions. A long day in London tomorrow at a show. And I had to manoeuvre, between the gap in the middle and the firm edge.
Despite this a good nights sleep was helped by the plump pillows and decent duvet, which I left tucked into the end of the mattress.
Dining In – Breakfast
A busy breakfast room, no buffet, but actually a decent setup. Sat at the table, tea almost instantly and a Full English ordered just as quickly. I think by the time I had my breakfast, four staff had served me. Host at the door another to the table, Tea by a further dedicated tea and coffee server and breakfast by a food runner.
Massive tick for me in terms of service, especially when it was a busy breakfast, that most hotels would have lumped onto a buffet.
The Cost
under £85 (as that was company budget)
The Ever Lasting Memory
Wishing I had perhaps eaten dinner in the restaurant, but motorway hotel plus services. Make what should be a nice four star hotel, feel a little more motorway hotel because of it. Pool Chlorine was killer bring your goggles.
The Verdict
★★★☆☆ Mercure St Albans 4 Star Hotel, but a 3 Star Review, only the bed being let it down, the location could put some people off.
More Travel posts and reviews available here <Travel Reviews>
I can honestly say I’ve worked in and stayed in locations everyone finds a way to complain about
Great review. A comfortable bed is essential especially when travelling in a different time zone. Thanks for sharing.
Comfortable beds should be standard in hotels… If only
Thanks for sharing, a good bed is a must for us. The pool looks decent 😊
I love St Albans, my brother lives near there so I’m adding this one to my list when we go next!
Rosie
Thank Rosie
Make sure you check if that pool is open…
Great review. I’ve stayed in Mecure hotels before and found them an enjoyable stay. Its a shame the bed wasn’t that comfortable. Maybe hotel managers should look at staying in the beds every so often to check they are comfortable for guests as that is a huge part of what customers are paying for.
Ha oh the irony…
And it’s 99.9% the reason you book a hotel