Novotel London Blackfriars

The honest review

Novotel's family-room formula — a queen bed plus a sofa bed or two, connecting rooms on request, kids eat and often stay free — is well established across the chain, and the Blackfriars property applies it in a location that works well for London sightseeing: a short walk to St Paul's Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge, and Tate Modern, with Blackfriars station (Thameslink and District/Circle lines) a few minutes away.

What sets this Novotel apart from most mid-range London hotels in its price bracket is the indoor pool — 12 meters long with a whirlpool section, plus a combined sauna and steam room. After a full day of walking London with kids, that's a genuine amenity, not a marketing line; most $$-$$$ hotels in this part of the city have no swimming option at all. Two children under 15 can stay free using existing bedding, and baby equipment (cribs, high chairs) is complimentary on request.

Rooms are comfortable but not spacious by resort standards — the Superior Premium Room's two single sofa beds work for younger kids more comfortably than for teens, and connecting rooms depend on availability rather than being guaranteed. There's no kids' club or dedicated children's programming, so this suits families who want a reliable, well-located base with a pool rather than an all-in entertainment property. At $137-268/night typical, it lands well below London's $$$$ family hotels while still delivering a real 4-star pool and sauna experience.