Key details

About the Hotel

Grey Friars Road, Ipswich, IP1 1UP

Close to the city center

Great

8.6

8.7

/10

4.3

3.9

Loved by Novotel Ipswich Centre guests

Helpful staff

Comfortable bed

Modern bathroom

Large room

Good location

"We had a few games of Pool which was an unexpected nice touch."

Dean from United Kingdom

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"The room was large and modern and clean."

allpackedtravelco from United Kingdom

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"Location was perfect for football ground & the waterfront,and not too far from train station."

Angela from United Kingdom

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4-star Novotel Ipswich Centre less than 10 minutes' walk from the waterfront and city centre

Amenities & Recognition

The hotel holds the ALLSAFE cleanliness and prevention label, confirming its sanitation protocols. On-site parking is available for guests at a reduced rate of £7 for 24 hours when paid at reception, instead of the standard £20. An electric vehicle charging station is also located on the property.

Rooms

The 101 en suite bedrooms include Superior Queen Rooms and Standard Queen Rooms with Sofa Beds, all with 43-Inch LCD TVs and fridges. Executive rooms add coffee pod machines, robes, and slippers for an upgraded stay. Family rooms offer sofa beds, and accessible rooms feature emergency cords in bathrooms and lower bathroom sinks.

Dining

Elements Restaurant offers an international menu with vegetarian options and a TV Dining experience where each diner has a private television screen. The on-site bar serves lighter meals, beverages, and snacks, with a large-screen TV for sports. Breakfast includes a buffet with hot options, fresh fruit, and non-gluten corn flakes, plus oat, almond, and soya milk.

Family

Two children under 16 stay and eat breakfast for free when sharing a room with parents. The bar offers board games for children, and the restaurant provides a kid-friendly buffet and separate kids' meals. Family rooms with sofa beds and spacious layouts accommodate groups comfortably.

Location & Nearby Attractions

Ipswich Town Football Club is 650 metres away, and the central shopping district is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The waterfront area is reachable in a 10-minute walk, and the coast at Felixstowe is a 20-minute drive. The train station is a 10-minute walk, making day trips to the Suffolk coast easy.

Highlights

Cleanliness: ALLSAFE certification

Parking: On-site with EV charging station

Dining: TV Dining with private screens

Family: Two kids under 16 free breakfast

Location: 5 min walk to shopping, 10 min to waterfront

“Ipswich has a real draw, and this hotel places you right in the middle of it, moments from the waterfront. I found the concept of TV dining in the restaurant intriguing. For families, spacious rooms and perks for young children could make for a relaxed stay.”

James DavidEditor-in-Chief at Dogfriendly-hotels

Location: Perfect

9.0/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

Guest ParkingEasy Parking

There's plenty of parking available. It's conveniently located right outside the hotel, making it easy to come and go.

Richard from England

Review on

DiningGreat Variety

Breakfast had a big selection of food. There was fresh lemon and ginger for tea. I really loved it.

Maria from Spain

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BedroomComfy Nights

The bed was incredibly comfortable. The pillows, too. I slept very well in the quiet room.

Hans from Netherlands

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Room FeaturesSpacious Rooms

The room was spacious, modern, and clean, with a fridge. The window opened, which was great.

Chloe from Canada

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Select your room type

The hotel provides many room choices—family rooms, doubles, and pet-friendly suites—with breakfast, free cancellation, and special offers

Superior Queen Room
2 persons
18 m²
1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Bathtub
room details
Executive Queen Room
2 persons
18 m²
1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Bathtub
room details
Standard Queen Room Sofa Bed
2 persons
18 m²
1 Double bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
Bathtub
room details

Show all rooms

Rates & availability calendar

See current prices and availability for your chosen dates!

Facilities

Hotels feature amenities designed to keep both you and your pet comfortable

Facilities: Great

8.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
On-site car park
Handicap parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Lift
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Dry cleaning

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Children's buffet

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
Direct dial telephone

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

At Novotel Ipswich Centre, dining is an adventure that combines modern British cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere. Guests can savor hearty breakfasts and delightful dinners while immersing themselves in a vibrant setting that reflects the local culture and culinary traditions.

Restaurant

British

Ambiance

Modern and inviting, the restaurant features a contemporary design that encourages relaxation and conversation.

Key Offerings

Indulge in a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as seasonal specialties. Enjoy the unique TV dining experience, where diners can catch the latest films while enjoying their meal.

Reservation

Reservations are recommended to ensure a spot, especially during busier meal times.

Open for breakfast from 06:30 to 09:30 and dinner from 18:00 to 21:00, daily.

Location

Grey Friars Road, Ipswich, IP1 1UP

Map view

City landmarks

Park

Christchurch Park

1.09 km

Landmark

Ipswich Waterfront

760 m

Store

Christchurch Mansion

1.11 km

Museum

Ipswich Museum

1.1 km

Park

Holywells Park

2.22 km

Landmark

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey statue

710 m

Landmark

The Question Mark Sculpture

740 m

Church

Church Of St Margaret

820 m

Landmark

Ancient House

610 m

Landmark

The Cornhill

720 m

Landmark

Pykenham's Gatehouse

620 m

Landmark

University of Suffolk

770 m

Gallery

Ipswich Art School and Gallery

780 m

Church

Church Of St Mary Le Tower

1.19 km

Nearby

15 Friars Street

Willis Building

410 m

4 College St

Wolsey's Gate

150 m

St. Nicholas Street

Prince Alexander Obolensky Memorial

210 m

Art object

The Giles Statue

510 m

Square

Cardinal Park

150 m

Dial Lane

St Lawrence Church

480 m

Church

Unitarian Meeting House

250 m

33 Key Street

The Old Custom House

450 m

Gallery

Town Hall Galleries

480 m

Shopping Area

Sailmakers Shopping Centre

570 m

Shopping Area

Buttermarket Shopping Centre

390 m

68 Black Horse Lane

Saint Mary at the Elms

440 m

And St Nicholas Street 3A St. Peters Street

The Saints

280 m

4 Friars Bridge Rd

Ipswich Buddhist Centre

350 m

1 St Stephens Ln

Arras Square

400 m

Flat 2 27 Elm Street

Jean Ingelow House and Archway

390 m

Restaurants

Gandhi

250 m

8 St. Peters Street

Applaud Coffee

230 m

19 St. Peters Street

ASK Italian

250 m

23 Grafton Way Cardinal Park

Frankie & Benny's

310 m

19 Grafton Way Cardinal Park

Zaika

310 m

17 St. Nicholas Street

K Bar and Grill

280 m

33-37 St. Nicholas Street

Explore Ipswich

Ipswich Waterfront

10 minutes' walk

The Ipswich Waterfront showcases historic docks with cafés and galleries, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Christchurch Mansion

14 minutes' walk

A stunning Tudor mansion housing fine art collections, surrounded by beautiful parklands. Free entry makes it a must-visit.

Ipswich Museum

14 minutes' walk

A diverse collection of artifacts and exhibitions chronicling Ipswich's history and natural history. Family-friendly and engaging.

Holywells Park

5 minutes' drive

This historic park features beautiful gardens, wildlife, and walking trails, ideal for family picnics or peaceful escapes.

Outdoor Cycling

5 minutes' drive

Rent a bike nearby and explore scenic routes along the waterfront, catering to thrill-seekers and nature lovers.

Yoga Classes

10 minutes' walk

Relaxing yoga sessions held at local studios, perfect for solo travelers and couples seeking wellness during their stay.

Gandhi

3 minutes' walk

Indian cuisine served in a cozy atmosphere. Options include traditional curries and vegetarian choices. Reservations recommended.

Harvester Cardinal Park

3 minutes' walk

Family-friendly dining with a varied menu, known for its unlimited salad bar and grilled meats. Casual, welcoming vibe.

ASK Italian

3 minutes' walk

Italian dining in a stylish setting, famed for homemade pizzas and pasta. Great options for gluten-free diets.

The Cornhill

10 minutes' walk

A lively public space home to street performances and market days, offering a vibrant experience for all ages.

Jewel Bar

10 minutes' walk

Chic bar with live DJ nights and craft cocktails, perfect for couples and friends. A hotspot for late-night excitement.

Local transport and travel tips

City Centre
Ipswich 6 min · 500 m
Airports
London Stansted (STN) 119 min · 78.9 km
Cambridge (CBG) 126 min · 84 km
Train
Ipswich Railway Station 9 min · 700 m
Ipswich Station 9 min · 700 m
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 200 m

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

from 05:00-12:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

The hotel offers a full breakfast at the price of GBP 15.95 per person.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Languages

English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, Russian, Moldovan, Slovak

Year renovated:

2006

Number of rooms:

101

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Novotel Ipswich Centre from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Novotel Ipswich Centre offers guests modern, spacious rooms equipped with amenities such as tea and coffee facilities, TVs, and reliable WiFi. Its central location allows easy access to the town centre, waterfront, and Ipswich Town FC football ground, which is just a short walk away. Many appreciate the breakfast options, though some have noted occasional issues, such as the lift being out of service during their stay. Overall, guests find it a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Ipswich.

Review score

Based on 4 verified reviews

7.7 /10

Very good

100%

Recommend

Staff

9.1/10

Comfort

9.0/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.9/10

Value for money

8.6/10

Pros

Modern hotel

Friendly staff

Comfortable bed

Excellent location

Cons

Basic room

Bathroom lighting

No bath

based on 1175 reviews

4/5

Jonathan from United Kingdom

Couple

Executive Queen Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: November 03, 2025

7/10

Acceptable hotel stay

broken lift no information

The room was very good. The breakfast was ALSO very good. The staff were attentative and helpful.

The lift was not working. It said it was due to maintenance. The hotel should have informed me before arrival.

0 Helpful

Jack from United Kingdom

Business traveller

Executive Queen Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 21, 2026

8.5/10

Spacious and Convenient

spacious room fresh juice

i found the room quite spacious with functional air conditioning. The breakfast buffet included fresh orange juice and hot options. Parking bicycles in a meeting room WAS a great convenience.

the sink in my room was blocked! i reported it to reception, but it remained unfixed .

Location

9/10

The hotel is a short walk from both the waterfront and the town centre, an easy ten-minute stroll. The location near the train station provided convenient access to transportation, a great advantage. Christchurch Park is close.

Dining

8/10

The breakfast offered local bacon and sausage. i enjoyed the wide array of breakfast choices available each morning. The dining room music was pleasant.

0 Helpful

joseph from united kingdom

superior queen room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 03, 2025

9.4/10

amazing stay, highly recommend!

friendly staff modern decor spacious room

The staff was very friendly and helpful. the decor and layout of the hotel was very nice and up to date. the room was very spacious and accommodating. The bed was very comfy!

the breakfast was okay but lukewarm.

Location

9/10

The location is fab! the waterfront is only a five minute walk from the hotel, and christchurch park is a lovely walk for the scenery. I found the area convenient.

Facilities

9/10

the reception area was bright and clean, and the lounge area was very comfortable. i sat there reading while my husband took a nap, that was possible because the hotel is very calm.

Dining

10/10

Breakfast was great and had a good spread. the food was top notch! i especially appreciated the attentive service. It.

Service

10/10

Staff on reception was great, very friendly and helpful. fevzi, the main member of staff overseeing breakfast, was superb and ensured all needs were attended to with a smile and efficiency. I was impressed.

Rooms

9/10

the bathroom upgrade was excellent with ritual toiletries. the room was very clean. the room also offered a safe and an iron, i think it's a very useful detail.

0 Helpful

Isaac from United Kingdom

Family with children

Standard Queen Room Sofa Bed

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: October 12, 2025

6/10

stained carpet traffic noise

the carpet had several noticeable stains the traffic noise was also quite high even with the window closed properly the standard seemed more like a budget hotel chain than a four-star hotel sleep was often interrupted by various noises the acoustics let every door slam resonate through the walls and toilet flushes were clearly audible through the pipes.

0 Helpful

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