Novotel Poznan Centrum is a great hotel when it comes to the hard products like room, design, gym and breakfast. But they need to train their staff harder in customer relations
I was recently in Poznan over a weekend and I was surprised how gay-friendly the city is. For being Poland I was surprised. As most time if possible I stayed at an Accor hotel and this time I stayed at Novotel Poznan Centrum. Its the same building that host IBIS Poznan Centrum. They just have different floors.
Pro and cons of Novotel Poznan Centrum
Pros
- Good location
- Lovely modern rooms
- Tasty breakfast
- Fancy bar
- Light well equipped gym
Cons
- No refilled minibar
- Employees don’t always greet you
- Brand on bathroom amenities faces the wall
Location is everything
And Novotel Poznan City is located just on the right spot. It takes about 10 minutes walk from the bus and train station and less then five minutes to the famous shopping mall Stary Browar. This shopping center is located in an old brewery and have won a lot of awards for its combination of art and design.
WOW! I liked this
As a status member in Accor you always gets a welcome gift. In most cases it’s some fruits or drinks. Its a nice way to say thanks for your loyalty. At Novotel Poznan Centrum the welcome gift was the best so far. Some local wine, a small bottle from Rituals and a pair of goat themes socks. The later when is explained by the goats connection to the city of Poznan.
By actually creating a welcome gift that combines the needs of me as a traveler and the history of the local community is great. This alone would be a good reason to stay here again.
The rooms at Novotel Poznan Centrum
I was upgraded to an executive room thanks to my gold status at Accor. The room is with its 23 square meter normal sized with modern furnitures. Located on the 15 floor I was amazed of the stunning view out over Poznan. An executive room include among other amenities a free mini bar. This is a great benefit that I enjoy after a day on busy streets. However, if the minibar is not refilled it devaluate the value quickly. One reason is maybe that I change room cleaning to points at Accor. A great idea that Im sure many customers like. But for me there is a big difference between getting my room cleaned and getting my minibar and complementary water filled up. To be honest, if there is no drinks in the minibar and no water the value of a free minibar is zero.
A low shower – I needed to bend
Another thing that I can understand but still irritate me is that the shower is so low because of the bath tub that I cant stay straight in it. Its ok for me to bend my knees a little. But Im not sure my mum could do it.
Another thing that makes me upset is when hotel chains co-operate with well branded amenities and then hide it. In this case al the bottles with soap, lotion, conditioner had the brand facing the wall. Why is Novotel Poznan Centrum so afraid to show that the use Rituals? A brand I like and uses on daily bases. Just like with the minibar, its all about the mind of the employee. There is no cost to turn the bottle so the brand is seen.
What I do like here is that I could ask in the reception for amenities like shaving and dental kits in the reception for free. Other hotels do charge you for that.
Try the bar, and gym at Novotel Poznan Centrum
The public areas of a hotel is usually pretty. They are decorated to feel like a fancy home but is still un-personal. At Novotel Poznan Centrum he bar looked fancy and like a place I want to be in. Even if they only mocktail I was offered was a virgin mojito. An international hotel should be better on this point. We are many travelers that don’t drink alcohol but want some more fancy then soda.
The gym is by far one of the best most open light hotel gyms I seen. Its located just over the reception with a 24/7 admission. From large part of the gym you have a great view down to the bar. It gives yopu a good hint of where to go after your gym pass.
The lack of a good evening disturbs me
The reception at Novotel Poznan Centrum is modern but again, the service fails. When I arrived I looked for the priority check in for Accor members but could not find any. But there was just one couple a head of me so that was okej. If I come during check in rush hour I will get upset with no priority check in. The other thing I noticed was on an evening when I got back. There is no one more then the receptionist in the reception and when she sees me se stands up and folloow me with her eyes while I walk to the elevators.
What’s surprise me is that she didn’t say good evening/after noon when I walked by. Back to the management again. There is no costs to make sure that al employee great the customer. Its just a question of culture. Here we come back to Novotel Poznan Centrums week point. The rooms, decorations, design is great. But the service culture needs to improve.
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