Originally Posted by SK AAR

You can try asking for transfer hotel at the hotel desk but be prepared that you will receive a "No" because there is a later ORD-IST flight that connects with your onward IST-DAC flight; technically speaking you don't fulfill the requirments for the transfer hotel. Not a big issue - book at hotel on your own in the city center (rates are very reasonable) and use the public busses going to/from the airport (or pay for taxi/private transfer between airport and hotel).

That being said, last month I talked to a chap on the shuttle bus going to the transfer hotel. I was complaining about the early pick-up time the following day (4AM for 8AM flight) and he explained that this was one of the reasons that he didn't book the early AM flight to his final destination but a later same date flight; he explained that also the early AM flight had 9h+ connection time at IST so in his opinion it didn't make a difference that he didn't book the shortest possible connection. Apparently no issue at the hotel desk. I didn't comment on it but I was surprised that he achieved to get a transfer hotel as technically speaking he didn't book the shortest possible connection at IST.

The dreaded 2-3-2 seating? I think you got it wrong. Most of us actually prefers the B77W in J/C class rather than the narrow /coffin seats on the B789 or A350. I would never book a flight 10h earlier to get on B789 or A359. The 9:40PM flight works perfectly for maximising your sleep on the plane.