May 4, 2014, 9:49 pm
DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey {TUR}
Nov 29, 2019, 10:53 pm
#436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,405
I just completed a stay at the new Curio property, the Hagia Sofia Mansions. It just became part of the Hilton portfolio this week.
Aside from a couple of to-be-expected hiccups with their systems/IT (given the transition and that I checked in the first day) I have nothing but positive things to say about the property. It did take a short while to understand the layout of the property, as there are several different disconnected buildings that are all a part of the same property, but are not all right next to one another.
The location was awesome - a stone’s throw from the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square/Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia museum. Very close to Topkapi as well.
As a Diamond (I’m guessing I was the first Diamond at the property) the hotel staff literally treated me like a king and they all were incredibly helpful and attentive. I was upgraded to a very nice suite, was always greeted personally by name (including upon arrival when walking through the door - before I had even attempted to check in or provide ID), and provided with complimentary Turkish tea or coffee any time I asked.
The manager was also insistent, in a good way, that I try a variety of their dishes for both breakfast and dinner (which were brought complimentary, beyond what I had already ordered for dinner) and all were absolutely delicious.
I would highly recommend this property if you want to be in the vicinity of the Old Town historical sights. I only wish I had more time to stay there for pleasure instead of having to also work!
Aside from a couple of to-be-expected hiccups with their systems/IT (given the transition and that I checked in the first day) I have nothing but positive things to say about the property. It did take a short while to understand the layout of the property, as there are several different disconnected buildings that are all a part of the same property, but are not all right next to one another.
The location was awesome - a stone’s throw from the Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square/Hippodrome, and Hagia Sophia museum. Very close to Topkapi as well.
As a Diamond (I’m guessing I was the first Diamond at the property) the hotel staff literally treated me like a king and they all were incredibly helpful and attentive. I was upgraded to a very nice suite, was always greeted personally by name (including upon arrival when walking through the door - before I had even attempted to check in or provide ID), and provided with complimentary Turkish tea or coffee any time I asked.
The manager was also insistent, in a good way, that I try a variety of their dishes for both breakfast and dinner (which were brought complimentary, beyond what I had already ordered for dinner) and all were absolutely delicious.
I would highly recommend this property if you want to be in the vicinity of the Old Town historical sights. I only wish I had more time to stay there for pleasure instead of having to also work!
Dec 20, 2019, 8:31 am
#437
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Shoreham By Sea
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,334
Recommend me a property in Istanbul
Have a 3 night trip at the end of July. Travelling with wife and teen son.
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
Dec 20, 2019, 9:44 am
#439
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 659
Have a 3 night trip at the end of July. Travelling with wife and teen son.
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
*Great pool/best lounge offerings/ best breakfast/decent location: Conrad
*Decent pool (but great indoor pool), good lounge offerings (incredible views) and good breakfast/OK location and high wow factor: Hilton Bomonti
This is of course just my opinion (after several stays in all 3 of them).
Dec 20, 2019, 10:22 am
#440
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 345
Have a 3 night trip at the end of July. Travelling with wife and teen son.
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
There are so many Hilton’s to choose from in the city. I would like have something nice, ideally in a greet location with good facilities like a super outdoor pool.
A nice exec room and quality breakfast would be a plus too.
suggestions please
Dec 21, 2019, 7:16 am
#442
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,051
Good advice, except for maybe a dozen or so Hilton Honors properties worldwide.
Unfortunately to earn the points and status to best take advantage of those 12 hotels, you also need to stay at Hiltons in Istanbul or wherever you go...
FWIW, the Doubletree Old Town is a great choice for those planning on a lot of sightseeing and Grand Bazaaring, although no lounge or pool IIRC.
Unfortunately to earn the points and status to best take advantage of those 12 hotels, you also need to stay at Hiltons in Istanbul or wherever you go...
FWIW, the Doubletree Old Town is a great choice for those planning on a lot of sightseeing and Grand Bazaaring, although no lounge or pool IIRC.
Dec 21, 2019, 10:53 am
#443
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,181
*Best pool and location/OK lounge offerings: Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus
*Great pool/best lounge offerings/ best breakfast/decent location: Conrad
*Decent pool (but great indoor pool), good lounge offerings (incredible views) and good breakfast/OK location and high wow factor: Hilton Bomonti
This is of course just my opinion (after several stays in all 3 of them).
*Great pool/best lounge offerings/ best breakfast/decent location: Conrad
*Decent pool (but great indoor pool), good lounge offerings (incredible views) and good breakfast/OK location and high wow factor: Hilton Bomonti
This is of course just my opinion (after several stays in all 3 of them).
Dec 21, 2019, 2:23 pm
#444
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
Check out the new Hagia Sofia Mansions Curio too: I cant vouch for it other than the location. It was opening literally a day or two after I stayed at the Hilton Bosporus. I wanted to check it out. Looked really nice, worth investigating.
The Hilton Bosporus was pretty classy old dame, lounge could have used some better food options, but was fine if you weren’t trying to make a full dinner out of it. Breakfast very good downstairs (free for Diamond). Short walk to rail to go south west to tourist sites. Health club was nice - we had a super late departure flight and ended up freshening up in the spa there after a late checkout and walking around town all day. Steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, normal swimming pool, showers, etc.
The Hilton Bosporus was pretty classy old dame, lounge could have used some better food options, but was fine if you weren’t trying to make a full dinner out of it. Breakfast very good downstairs (free for Diamond). Short walk to rail to go south west to tourist sites. Health club was nice - we had a super late departure flight and ended up freshening up in the spa there after a late checkout and walking around town all day. Steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, normal swimming pool, showers, etc.
Jan 1, 2020, 3:15 am
#445
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 22
Check out the new Hagia Sofia Mansions Curio too: I cant vouch for it other than the location. It was opening literally a day or two after I stayed at the Hilton Bosporus. I wanted to check it out. Looked really nice, worth investigating.
The Hilton Bosporus was pretty classy old dame, lounge could have used some better food options, but was fine if you weren’t trying to make a full dinner out of it. Breakfast very good downstairs (free for Diamond). Short walk to rail to go south west to tourist sites. Health club was nice - we had a super late departure flight and ended up freshening up in the spa there after a late checkout and walking around town all day. Steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, normal swimming pool, showers, etc.
The Hilton Bosporus was pretty classy old dame, lounge could have used some better food options, but was fine if you weren’t trying to make a full dinner out of it. Breakfast very good downstairs (free for Diamond). Short walk to rail to go south west to tourist sites. Health club was nice - we had a super late departure flight and ended up freshening up in the spa there after a late checkout and walking around town all day. Steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, normal swimming pool, showers, etc.
Jan 27, 2020, 3:15 am
#446
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: BNE, OOL
Programs: QFF WP, VA SG, Hhonors Diamond
Posts: 361
Ooh tough choices; new Curio? Tried and true Conrad? Hilton bosphorus? We're diamond, priorities are location (close to public transport, nice walking areas around), lounge.
I guess I'm leaning towards the Curio just for location. But open to others. Prices are pretty similar for all hotels for our dates.
I guess I'm leaning towards the Curio just for location. But open to others. Prices are pretty similar for all hotels for our dates.
Feb 9, 2020, 11:24 am
#447
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 116
How good is the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus location ? How long does it take to go to visit the main touristy places ?
I was looking at Curio Hagia Sophia, but I'm not willing to spend double the points/money compared to DT Sirkeci or Old Town and still not get a lounge or pool.
The ideal would be a a nice place with pool, lounge AND close to areas of interest for a first visit by walking
I was looking at Curio Hagia Sophia, but I'm not willing to spend double the points/money compared to DT Sirkeci or Old Town and still not get a lounge or pool.
The ideal would be a a nice place with pool, lounge AND close to areas of interest for a first visit by walking
Feb 13, 2020, 6:58 am
#448
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 622
I have a 6 day stopover in Istanbul from Feb 17 to Feb 23. Unfortunately just going solo as a relative canceled Is there enough stuff to do in istanbul for 6 days? Or do I need to look for a quick trip to another city or even Athens Greece as transportation options.I am a tourist who is not big on typical tourism for an entire trip. Like to mix in slice of life tourism in big cities living a regular slice of life experience for a couple of days.
Anyway, back to the hotels. DT Sirkeci is 19,000 points a night for the lowest room(hoping for an upgrade as Gold). DT Old Town is 23,000 a night. Which is better option for convenience and features? Pool, lounge not important. I plan on taking public transportation a lot if that is convenient. Is it better to choose one of these hotels and take advantage of the 5th day free and just take transportation to other areas of istanbul instead of hotel hopping for proximity to each area of the big city? I like to go back to my hotel room twice a day at least for a break.
A lot of the hiltons in the area are 28,000 to 50,000 points a night!!!!!
I dont mind paying for the 6th day that 30,000 if it's a grand hotel that is clearly a big step up from the DTs.
Also, am i overrated the public transportation proximity factor or is Uber cheap enough?
Also if I choose the 5 day option to get a 5th day free, then I dont have to feel bad about taking a one day trip to another city and leave most of my baggage in the hotel(I am coming from a vacation in another country).
Also , whats the best value (not necessarily the cheapest, but inexpensive and convenient) way to get to the DT Sirkeci//OldTown area from the new airport? Combination of public transportation and uber or just taxi?
Anyway, back to the hotels. DT Sirkeci is 19,000 points a night for the lowest room(hoping for an upgrade as Gold). DT Old Town is 23,000 a night. Which is better option for convenience and features? Pool, lounge not important. I plan on taking public transportation a lot if that is convenient. Is it better to choose one of these hotels and take advantage of the 5th day free and just take transportation to other areas of istanbul instead of hotel hopping for proximity to each area of the big city? I like to go back to my hotel room twice a day at least for a break.
A lot of the hiltons in the area are 28,000 to 50,000 points a night!!!!!
I dont mind paying for the 6th day that 30,000 if it's a grand hotel that is clearly a big step up from the DTs.
Also, am i overrated the public transportation proximity factor or is Uber cheap enough?
Also if I choose the 5 day option to get a 5th day free, then I dont have to feel bad about taking a one day trip to another city and leave most of my baggage in the hotel(I am coming from a vacation in another country).
Also , whats the best value (not necessarily the cheapest, but inexpensive and convenient) way to get to the DT Sirkeci//OldTown area from the new airport? Combination of public transportation and uber or just taxi?
Feb 13, 2020, 9:12 am
#449
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
Take an internal flight to Cappadocia (Nevsehir or Kayseri Airports). It's Turkey bucket list these days.
Feb 16, 2020, 4:21 am
#450
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 118
I have a 6 day stopover in Istanbul from Feb 17 to Feb 23. Unfortunately just going solo as a relative canceled Is there enough stuff to do in istanbul for 6 days? Or do I need to look for a quick trip to another city or even Athens Greece as transportation options.I am a tourist who is not big on typical tourism for an entire trip. Like to mix in slice of life tourism in big cities living a regular slice of life experience for a couple of days.
Anyway, back to the hotels. DT Sirkeci is 19,000 points a night for the lowest room(hoping for an upgrade as Gold). DT Old Town is 23,000 a night. Which is better option for convenience and features? Pool, lounge not important. I plan on taking public transportation a lot if that is convenient. Is it better to choose one of these hotels and take advantage of the 5th day free and just take transportation to other areas of istanbul instead of hotel hopping for proximity to each area of the big city? I like to go back to my hotel room twice a day at least for a break.
A lot of the hiltons in the area are 28,000 to 50,000 points a night!!!!!
I dont mind paying for the 6th day that 30,000 if it's a grand hotel that is clearly a big step up from the DTs.
Also, am i overrated the public transportation proximity factor or is Uber cheap enough?
Also if I choose the 5 day option to get a 5th day free, then I dont have to feel bad about taking a one day trip to another city and leave most of my baggage in the hotel(I am coming from a vacation in another country).
Also , whats the best value (not necessarily the cheapest, but inexpensive and convenient) way to get to the DT Sirkeci//OldTown area from the new airport? Combination of public transportation and uber or just taxi?
Anyway, back to the hotels. DT Sirkeci is 19,000 points a night for the lowest room(hoping for an upgrade as Gold). DT Old Town is 23,000 a night. Which is better option for convenience and features? Pool, lounge not important. I plan on taking public transportation a lot if that is convenient. Is it better to choose one of these hotels and take advantage of the 5th day free and just take transportation to other areas of istanbul instead of hotel hopping for proximity to each area of the big city? I like to go back to my hotel room twice a day at least for a break.
A lot of the hiltons in the area are 28,000 to 50,000 points a night!!!!!
I dont mind paying for the 6th day that 30,000 if it's a grand hotel that is clearly a big step up from the DTs.
Also, am i overrated the public transportation proximity factor or is Uber cheap enough?
Also if I choose the 5 day option to get a 5th day free, then I dont have to feel bad about taking a one day trip to another city and leave most of my baggage in the hotel(I am coming from a vacation in another country).
Also , whats the best value (not necessarily the cheapest, but inexpensive and convenient) way to get to the DT Sirkeci//OldTown area from the new airport? Combination of public transportation and uber or just taxi?