2/10 Terrible
Jonathan
Travelled with family, Business traveller
17 Oct 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I rarely leave reviews. I stay in hotels all over the world and I've worked in 44 countries at the last count. I've stayed in the Novotel Gent before, even hosted a week-long conference here in 2023 not that made any difference.
In short the hotel is over-priced and under-loved. Specifically I payed 200 Euros a night for a hotel with a hole in the carpet, skirting board hanging off, scruffy, unkempt paint flecks (missing paint) in the bathroom and plastic curtains (with dirty marks). If I was paying 100 Euros a night I might not grumble, but come on this is a Novotel.
The night staff on my arrival was quite insistent that I pay in full on my arrival at just before midnight. I know some hotels may have this 'rule' but it might have been a bit more considerate, say empathetic to ask about my journey (long tiring journey) and say "don't worry sir we know you have stayed here in the past, pay in the morning."
I had problems with my business card and was put under pressure to pay the next day. When I managed to contact my bank and sort my card issues I came to pay the balance on Thursday morning to be met by "Oh I can't do it now, it's too difficult, pay in full when you check out".
I also asked to change my room on Thursday. I was met by I can't do that you have to come back when my manager is here. Super: you can demand my money but you can't address the poor state of my room. It wasn't helped by the words "I can't help you I am only following orders". Awful choice of words
Jonathan
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2025
