Perhaps I'm lucky, but my experience at the Novotel Mannheim was quite different from what others have expressed. The hotel was decent, clean, and well maintained. The staff was efficient and helpful. I have stayed in many Novotels, and I would rate this as average for a Novotel, which is a typical three star European chain. I should also mention that the location of the hotel is good if you are a walker. It is far enough from the center to offer free parking, but close enough so that a twenty or so minute walk along an fairly interesting street will see you into town.

Travelling back from Austria we tried unsuccesfully to book hotels around this area, all were full and this Novotel had space. No wonder. It failed in all aspects except at reception. Bed uncomfortable. Bathroom needs a good clean and brush up. Food was poor. Not up to usual Novotel standards. Shame.

The rooms are dingy and dusty and not well maintained. The staff is absolutely incompetent. My colleagues and I had a terrible experience. Also, the location is poor. The Ramada Treff has a much better location for a good price, or any hotel that is near the hbf (hauf bahn hof) train station.