Novotel Mechelen Centrum
A pet-friendly four-star steps from the cathedral
About this hotel
Novotel Mechelen Centrum sits six minutes' walk from Saint Rumbold's Cathedral and barely a minute from the Korenmarkt, making it one of the more central bases for a Plopsaqua trip that also wants an old-town evening. The four-star rating shows in the fitness room, restaurant and bar rather than in flashy extras, and the pet-friendly policy means a family travelling with a dog doesn't need to compromise on location for it. A short taxi or bus covers the distance out to Nekkerspoel, leaving the rest of the day free for the cathedral, the market square and the restaurants clustered around them. Toddlers and teenagers alike find the straightforward, air-conditioned rooms easy to settle into after a day at the pools, and the on-site restaurant means dinner doesn't require another trip out into the old town.
- Pet-friendly
- Fitness centre
- Restaurant and bar
- Central old-town location
Our take
Novotel Mechelen Centrum suits a family who wants a dependable, central four-star base without the distinctive character of a converted brewery or church, and who values being a short walk from the cathedral over a longer stay built entirely around the water park. It's a strong pick for a group travelling with a dog, less so for anyone chasing a one-of-a-kind stay or hoping to walk to Plopsaqua itself.
- ✓Book early for school-holiday weeks, since this four-star sells out faster than the simpler budget options further from the cathedral.
- ✓Confirm your pet's stay ahead of arrival, even though pet-friendly rooms are standard here rather than a special request.
- ✓Use the on-site restaurant after a full Plopsaqua day rather than hunting for a table in the busier old-town streets.
Why we love it
- Six-minute walk from Saint Rumbold's Cathedral
- Pet-friendly rooms as standard, not a request
- On-site restaurant, bar and fitness room
- Four-star comfort in the compact old town
Why guests love itThe location does a lot of the work here: cathedral views on the walk out, a fitness room and restaurant back at the hotel, and pet-friendly rooms that don't feel like an afterthought. It won't win points for character next to Mechelen's converted churches and breweries, but for a family that wants a reliable four-star base a short ride from Plopsaqua and a proper walk from Saint Rumbold's Cathedral, it does exactly what it promises without complications.