8/10 Very good
14 August 2025
Modern and comfortable choice on Lake Issyk-kul.
Novel Hotel is a relatively modern resort on the shores of Lake Issyk-kul. It's location is at the far end of the strip of resorts centered around Cholpon-Ata. There are only a few General stores around the local Village and no restaurants, so eating options are restricted to the resort itself. The hotel restaurant, next to the swimming pool, provides good standard of food at a relatively expensive price.
The big advantage of Novel is its frontage to a pleasant and private beach that although public is in practice occupied mostly by resort guests. Although Rocky close to the beach the water is mostly sandy and clean.
Rooms are large and provide a good standard of appointment and equipment, although sparsely furnished. I had a room on the 5th floor, which provided great views of the beach but unfortunately also suffered slightly from an infestation of spiders if I left the window open. This would not be a problem on lower floors, I believe.
Andrew
Andrew, 4-night trip