Originally Posted by denikon

I was on a business trip in Istanbul and my girlfriend joined me for the last few days. Our flight was leaving from SAW so we decided to spend our last night at newly opened Hilton Kozyatagi in the Asian side of the city.

Later on during the day, we decided to use the spa facilities. We had to go to different sections as in this hotel there is a separate sauna, steam room, etc. for males and females. After some time, I left the spa and started waiting for my girlfriend by the spa entrance. I heard a scream, then my girlfriend appeared fuming and she started yelling at spa reception staff. She told me that when she came out from the shower she had came across a male cleaning staff and after she screamed he run away.

Spa staff apologised and explained that on that day they were understaffed so that they had to send a male attendand to female shower and changing areas. They also tried to blame my gf by saying that she didn't hear the attendee's call out "Housekeeping" before he entered to female area. That was the funniest excuse I've heard, how could someone hear a callout while in the shower? We later heard from a private member of the gym/spa that this was a general practice of the spa and the same thing happened to her in the past. For a very conservative country and hotel, I find this very odd. Why gender separated spa if they operate with no gender separated staff.

We complained to hotel management and front of house manager came down to see us when we checked out. He apologised and offered us a free transfer to the airport and spa treatments for the next time we stay. He said that the general manager was meeting with the spa manager about the issue and we would be notified about the outcome but we never received any e-mail from them.

Originally Posted by RAPC

Unfortunate, but it happens. Have seen the same thing with my wife in a UK spa too. Nice of them to offer the transfers as a follow-up.