My stay at Novotel Bomonti was a mixed experience. On the positive side, the hotel features excellent interior design throughout, with stylish and modern rooms that create a visually appealing atmosphere. The views from both the breakfast area and the room were also a highlight. However, compared to other four- and five-star hotels in the city, there is still a long way to go in terms of quality and service.
While the rooms looked great, the comfort of the bed and pillows left much to be desired, which impacted sleep quality.
Breakfast was a bit underwhelming—offered in a COVID-style preselection format on a plate instead of a buffet, which felt limiting. Additionally, the breakfast options were exactly the same every single day, with no variation. The service during breakfast was poor, with inattentive staff, and the presence of smoking inside the restaurant was very unpleasant.
Smoking was a major issue. The smell of smoke was pervasive—spreading through the hallways, common areas, and even seeping into the room via the ventilation system, which impacted the overall experience. Additionally, the full-service gym was closed throughout my stay, which was disappointing.
With its beautiful interior design and great views, Novotel Bomonti has potential. However, improvements in staff training, breakfast variety, comfort, a strict no-smoking policy, and the reopening of amenities like the gym are necessary for it to reach the standard of similar hotels in Istanbul.
