My previous experiences of Novotel — part of the Accor group of hotels which includes the Sofitel, Mercure, Ibis, Etap and Formule 1 chains — had come in south of France, usually at the end of a week or so spent baking in a less-than-spacious mobile home.

Any measured response to the hotel amenities was usually lost in the flood of relief that here was a room where you didn’t bump your head getting into bed, you had a bathroom you could actually turn around in and – thank God – there was air conditioning.

There was also, I seem to remember, Dolfy – a dolphin doll intended to keep the children happy – although my memories here are possibly clouded by the odd glass or two of Provencal wine.

Novotel London St Pancras, built on the greyer confines of the Euston Road, appears to have taken that continental concept of discreet but anonymous comfort on to a higher plane. Although it fulfils the purpose of being a holiday stopover – the St Pancras Eurostar terminal is five minute's walk away – it offers the kind of comfort and facilities that you’d expect from a more upmarket establisment.

Novotel London St Pancras, NW1

No points for character, but this hotel is handy for the Eurostar and has comfort, attentive staff and splendid food

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The open foyer – with a sculpted, circular red sofa that looks more to be admired than sat upon – led to a choice of three lifts. The central, glass one, is the one to wait for, offering views of the congested Euston Road as you’re transported smoothly upwards.

Our room on the third floor was spacious, finished in soothing, if slightly ubiquitous oatmeal shades, and offered a splendid view of Newton’s naked bottom. Perhaps I should be a little more precise.

Our view was of the piazza of the British Library and the crouching, bronze sculpture by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi — Isaac Newton, after William Blake, 1995 — which dominates it. While the statue has its admirers and detractors (one blogger calls it “fascinating and repellent in equal measure”), it’s certainly more interesting to look at than the buses and lorries adding to the global warming crisis, a few metres away.

The hotel’s restaurant, Mirrors, on the ground floor behind reception, may lack a certain cosiness, but the food is splendid and the staff attentive. When I put on my jacket to counteract the fierce air conditioning, the waiter immediately rushed to my side to tell me that he’d readjusted it and that I could safely dine in my shirt sleeves.

For starters I chose the possibly ethically unsound chicken liver and foie gras parfait with fig jam and toasted brioche (£7.75). I can’t say I felt guilty eating it, as it tasted superb. The main course of rump of Welsh lamb, macadoine of courgettes, goats cheese tortellini and marjoram jus (£16.95) was equally good. I managed to squeeze in a dessert – date and toffee pudding with vanilla clotted cream (£5.00). In all the food was as good, if not better, than I’ve tasted in some more expensive, if slightly more exotic, restaurants in the West End.

Tripadvisor.co.uk users are nearly all complimentary about the hotel, although some mention the fact that the hotel’s in a slightly dodgy area of London. Single women wouldn’t want to loiter outside for too long, although we avoided any unpleasantness by going no father than the hotel bar for a nightcap.

Breakfast was the usual bland, if satisfying, mixture of hot food, ham, cheese, fruit, cereals and pastries that you get in any decent hotel. But it’s worth stocking up if you have longish Eurostar journey ahead of you.

No one’s going to go to this hotel if they’re looking for character, or if they want to wallow in super luxury. Here, what you see is what you get. Good rooms, comfort, attentive staff, splendid food —— which is what I expect you would find in any Novotel.

As such, it’s ideal for the frequent traveller. If you have an early start from St Pancras, then it provides the best possible start to your journey. If you’re returning from a miserable Eurostar weekend it could also provide the pick-you-up you need.

Bottom line: Rooms cost from £145 and there are short break, city break and special family offer deals avalable.

Best thing: the food and service

Worst thing: the location (although it is close to the station)

Access all areas: The hotel is wheelchair accessible

Need to know: Novotel London St Pancras, 100-110 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AJ; tel. 020 7666 9000; H5309@accor.com

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