Novotel Paris La Defense Nanterre

Our stay at Novotel Paris La Défense Nanterre was absolutely wonderful! The hotel is located in a quiet, business district — perfect for a peaceful retreat after a day in the city. One of the biggest advantages is its proximity to the RER A station, making it easy and quick to reach central Paris. The hotel is newly opened and beautifully modern. The rooms are fresh, stylish, and very comfortable — everything feels brand new and thoughtfully designed. What truly stood out was the incredibly friendly and helpful staff, especially at the reception. We felt very welcome from the moment we arrived. Breakfasts were also a highlight — delicious, fresh, and with a great variety to choose from. Highly recommended for both business and leisure stays in Paris!

The Novotel Paris La Défense Nanterre is shiny new, having opened its doors just in April 2025 (we visited at the end of May). As you would expect, everything in the public spaces, the room, and the bathroom was classy, modern, good quality, and felt almost untouched, with no signs of wear. We stayed in a Family Studio that was particularly spacious and well-equipped (double bed, double sofa bed, dining table with chairs, mini bar/Nespresso machine/water kettle, and a fully-equiped kitchen with a cooking stove, a microwave oven, a second refrigerator, and plenty of dishes, glasses, cups, utensils, cooking pots etc. The bathroom was stocked with good-quality Rituals Karma cosmetics, and the toilet was separated. Soundproofing proved highly efficient, despite our room facing the road in front of the hotel. Location in Nanterre is obviously not "central Paris", but reaching the downtown was both easy and quick: A 5-minute walk to the "Nanterre Prefecture" RER-A (regional train) station, and from there a direct train line to the Arc de Triomphe (10 minutes) or Les Halles/Chatelet (another 5 minutes), with a new train passing every 4-5 minutes. In terms of services, the hotel offered an all-day restaurant and bar with various seating areas inside and a few bar stools outside, and an adequate gym with brand-new Technogym fitness equipment. The hotel will soon also feature an indoor pool, which was not yet ready during our stay. Service from the reception staff was efficient (and they actively asked for our feedback to iron out any teething issues in their new hotel), and daily cleaning of the room was OK. Overall, the hotel offered us an excellent stay in Paris –classy, brand new and well connected to all downtown attractions (not a 5* luxury establishment for hoteling, nor centrally located, but you know that before booking).

There was a long queue at check-in and I was in the main queue. I noticed the ALL members counter and walked up to stand there instead. I was asked politely to join the main queue. That’s when I asked why it was unstaffed and whether ALL members with status would be looked after. Check-in staff said no, and that this long queue was “unusual”. Only two check in staff were at the main desks. I rejoined the main queue and after 10mins additional staff went over to the ALL desk and the main desk (3x at main desks and 1x at ALL desk). When the ALL desk called for members with status, one gold and myself stepped up to be checked in. When I asked the check in staff if there were plans to look after members with status first, and they said no. This is my gripe with Accor. Status doesn’t really mean much. I am a Diamond member which I achieved solely on spend, no shortcuts via paid memberships (e.g. Voyageur). Also I did not get a welcome gift, like I usually do in other Accor hotels. I received my standard one free welcome drink. This free drink was also limited to a small beer and glass of wine. At the MGallery, the free drink selection was extensive, only Champagne and premium spirits were excluded. I have now booked my next 20 nights in Paris and will be staying in the Hyatt Regency. I do not think Accor value my membership so I will be taking my business elsewhere.