Golden Palace Batumi Hotel & Casino

The hotel's most defining features are its central location in the heart of Batumi and its integrated casino, which draws a significant number of guests. It is particularly well-suited for tourists eager to explore the city's main attractions, as well as casino enthusiasts seeking entertainment. While many guests appreciate the hotel's convenience and the generally friendly demeanor of some staff members, experiences with room quality and service can be highly variable. Some rooms are noted for their spaciousness and comfort, while others have significant issues with cleanliness, odors, and maintenance. The hotel's focus on its casino is evident, with some guests feeling that hotel services are secondary to the gaming operations. To ensure a more comfortable stay, it is advisable to thoroughly inspect your room upon arrival and address any concerns immediately with the front desk, and consider requesting a room away from the casino area if noise is a concern.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features an integrated casino which is a major draw for many visitors, offering various games and free drinks for players. However, some guests found the casino's slot machines to be unrewarding and felt there was a lack of entertainment for customers. The hotel's security measures, particularly around the single elevator, were noted by some as being overly focused on casino patrons, leading to an irritating experience for hotel guests. Room amenities like the TV and air conditioning frequently received negative feedback, with numerous reports of televisions not working or having limited channels, and air conditioning units failing to cool rooms adequately, often stuck at high temperatures. While some rooms offer good soundproofing from external city noise, many guests reported issues with internal noise, hearing activity from hallways or adjacent rooms due to poor sound insulation.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest experiences regarding room comfort and cleanliness are notably mixed. Many visitors praised the spacious rooms and comfortable beds, finding them well-furnished and generally clean. However, a significant number of reviews highlighted severe issues, including persistent cigarette smell and sewer smell in rooms, along with observations of mould in showers and unhygienic conditions like blood or red wine drops on floors. Some rooms were described as having old furniture and stained carpets, contributing to a dated and unkempt appearance. Furthermore, concerns about small rooms were raised by some. Noise levels were a recurring complaint, with guests reporting disturbances from hallways and adjacent connected rooms due to inadequate sound insulation, impacting sleep quality. Issues with the shower functionality were also occasionally mentioned.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on the hotel's dining options, particularly breakfast, is varied. Many guests enjoyed the breakfast buffet, describing it as diverse with a good selection of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, and local Georgian delicacies, praising the impressive quality of the food and attentive staff. The hotel's restaurant was also noted for offering a good selection of food. However, a notable number of guests reported that breakfast was either not available, not included, or of poor quality, leading to disappointment. Some reviews also indicated an absolute absence of room service, or that staff service in dining areas seemed to be influenced by guests' casino activity rather than standard hotel protocols, which was a point of frustration for some visitors.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, placing guests directly in the heart of Batumi. This prime position offers convenient access to the city's main attractions, including quick routes to the beach, various shopping areas, and significant cultural landmarks. Guests frequently mention the ease of exploring the city on foot, with most key destinations being within comfortable walking distance, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. The hotel's proximity to the old part of Batumi further enhances its appeal for tourists. While specific details about public transportation links are not extensively reviewed, the overall consensus is that the location significantly contributes to a convenient and enjoyable stay, allowing visitors to easily immerse themselves in the local environment and explore the vibrant surroundings.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with the hotel staff and service are notably polarized. Many visitors praised the friendly staff and their professionalism, highlighting smooth check-in/check-out processes and the attentiveness of certain individuals, including those at the customer help desk and in the breakfast area. These positive interactions contributed to a welcoming atmosphere for some. However, a significant number of reviews reported highly negative experiences, citing a lack of customer service and feeling treated with contempt, particularly when raising issues. Some guests encountered a language barrier, noting that only a few receptionists spoke English, leading to difficulties for foreign travelers. Furthermore, the hotel's technical support for issues like non-functioning air conditioning or televisions was frequently criticized for being slow, ineffective, or dismissive, with staff often failing to resolve problems or apologize for inconveniences.

Additional Information
A recurring theme in guest feedback is the hotel's strong emphasis on its casino-centric operations, with some guests feeling that hotel services are secondary to the gaming floor. This focus is sometimes perceived through security checks and staff interactions, where guests are frequently asked about their casino intentions, which can be irritating. The hotel's overall condition was a point of concern for many, described as old and in need of building renovations, with observations of worn-out interiors. A significant issue for numerous guests was the pervasive smoking policy or lack thereof, resulting in a strong, unpleasant tobacco smell throughout the hotel, including in rooms and from ventilation systems, indicating a pro-smoked environment. Additionally, some rooms feature a room connection door to an adjacent unit, which, despite being locked, allowed for significant noise transfer.