On our tour around Georgia we stayed at the Black Sea resort of Batumi, staying in the Hotel Bloom. We’d spent the previous five nights, in five different, relatively basic hotels, and were looking forward to three nights, in what we hoped would be a little four-star luxury.
Check in was efficient and we were soon in the lift heading to our reasonably large room (202) which had a king-size bed with regular-size duvet. There were two bedside tables with lights and plug points and we used a cupboard for one suitcase but had to leave the other on the floor. Tea and coffee making facilities consisted of one green and one black tea bag and sugar, and although there was a fancy coffee machine, there were no pods. The wardrobe had the safe, slippers and robes and some useful open shelving along with a tiny safe at the back of the highest shelf making it totally impractical. Two bottles of red wine had a 50 Lari or £15 collar, but there were only glass tumblers. The key card to switch on the power, was fickle and needed to be jiggled. My only positive comment is that the AC and Wi-Fi were both good.
The bathroom was a reasonable size with enclosed shower with powerful hot water. Toiletries were provided in small plastic bottles, but there was no shelving or space for our toiletries. The fixed plug in the basin didn’t work and was so large, our travel plug wouldn’t cover it. On the plus side it was bright and light with a good mirror/hairdryer combination and a heated towel rail.
Despite our itinerary saying there was a bar/lounge, and local information suggesting a restaurant and bar, only breakfast was served. This room had more bottles of Bloom wine on the shelves and Bloom chacha (a fiery brandy), but they didn’t appear to be for sale.
Whilst there was a small rear courtyard garden, and sofas and chairs on the pavement at the front, as you couldn’t get a drink, or coffee, it felt a bit redundant.
Breakfast was served from 8am to 11am and on our first morning, we went down at 8am, unfortunately along with a group of 30 Germans. There were only just enough seats and anyone coming later was out of luck. Whilst the food was good, with lots of salads, frankfurters, pieces of omelette, chopped and whole fruits, breads and cakes, the plates were under the coffee machine in a corner and so hard to reach and they had run out of forks. The juice dispensers were on the counter and glasses were being washed just in time until eventually they ran out resulting in juice being drunk from brandy snifters. One of the two waiters seemed overwhelmed by the melee and headed outside for a fag! As the coffee machine was in demand, we decided to wait, only to find it had run out and they had no more beans, although Turkish coffee was offered. Basically, it was a total disaster.
Breakfast number two was quieter as the Germans had gone and we were on our own. The food was again excellent, but the coffee machine still not working, but this time we had the foresight to ask for tea and got a green tea bag each and a cup of hot water. On my way out, I suggested to the waiter, who had spent most of his time watching videos on his mobile, that they buy a jar of instant coffee.
Our third breakfast was still coffee-less although the young man got in first and apologised for the lack of coffee and said he had told the manager about my suggestion.
After a day of sightseeing we returned to the room at 3pm, to find the room still unserviced and asked for it to be done whilst we went out for a drink. Returning two hours later, the rooms on either side were in the process of being cleaned, so without our intervention, we might have also been waiting. On the following days we asked for the room to be done by midday.
Whilst the hotel is in a good location for sightseeing, it didn’t bloom for us and I’m sure there must be better places around – it is definitely not recommended.
