DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey {TUR}
#391
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 658
Thanks for your insights. After having stayed at the Bomonti I am not sure what the love fest about it is over the Conrad. The Conrad with the exception of the lounge view is so much nicer in every respect from not feeling as much as a standard Hilton business hotel to better overall quality offerings. The Conrad rooms themselves are nicer (at every level from what I could tell walking around and asking) and it also seems they treat Diamonds better for upgrades which dont really happen at the Bomonti from what regulars in the lounge told me (and my two experiences now as well).
I think the public spaces at the Bomonti are far more impressive (a bit Vegas or Dubai style - over the top - but still very impressive).
In the Conrad we were only upgraded to an executive room (with a bathroom with only a shower - not my definition of luxury), in the Bomonti we received a Taksim suite with 2 bathrooms and a huge living room and several 'welcome gifts' like vouchers for their skybar and free afternoon tea in the lobby restaurant.
I will share my options again after my next stays (will stay again at both hotels in 3 weeks time as I want to give the Conrad a 'second chance').
#392
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Antwerp - Belgium
Programs: Hilton Diamond ? TK*E
Posts: 51
Different people, different opinions...
I think the public spaces at the Bomonti are far more impressive (a bit Vegas or Dubai style - over the top - but still very impressive).
In the Conrad we were only upgraded to an executive room (with a bathroom with only a shower - not my definition of luxury), in the Bomonti we received a Taksim suite with 2 bathrooms and a huge living room and several 'welcome gifts' like vouchers for their skybar and free afternoon tea in the lobby restaurant.
I will share my options again after my next stays (will stay again at both hotels in 3 weeks time as I want to give the Conrad a 'second chance').
I think the public spaces at the Bomonti are far more impressive (a bit Vegas or Dubai style - over the top - but still very impressive).
In the Conrad we were only upgraded to an executive room (with a bathroom with only a shower - not my definition of luxury), in the Bomonti we received a Taksim suite with 2 bathrooms and a huge living room and several 'welcome gifts' like vouchers for their skybar and free afternoon tea in the lobby restaurant.
I will share my options again after my next stays (will stay again at both hotels in 3 weeks time as I want to give the Conrad a 'second chance').
Lobby in Bomonti is indeed more impressive but just because of it's size I think. Although, the lobby is by far the least I am interested in in a hotel
My upgrade in the Bomonti was just executive( so no upgrade) and in Conrad was already pre upgraded to Taksim Suite.
#395
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Hilton Kozyatagi
I have stayed at the Bomonti twice (definitely one of my favorite Hiltons so far), Conrad once (definitely a quality hotel but much prefer the Bomonti!).
The Hilton Kozyatagi on the Asian side is also quiet nice with a good lounge and nice pool/spa (haven't tried the Moda but always wanted to).
We have planned another 'Istanbul mattress run' this coming May (always a nice way to spend some points and score some stays to get my Diamond membership extended for another year).
We will also try the Hilton Bosphorus this time, along with 3 nights Bomonti, 2 nights Conrad and 2 more nights that we haven't decided yet (maybe we will try the new Hilton Bakirkoy near the airport, looks very nice and is very cheap).
For us Istanbul is one of the best places to do 'Hilton hotel hopping', plenty to see/do and tons of hotel choices as there is anything from 5K /night Hamptons to more luxurious 5* choices (and even these are very cheap...).
The Hilton Kozyatagi on the Asian side is also quiet nice with a good lounge and nice pool/spa (haven't tried the Moda but always wanted to).
We have planned another 'Istanbul mattress run' this coming May (always a nice way to spend some points and score some stays to get my Diamond membership extended for another year).
We will also try the Hilton Bosphorus this time, along with 3 nights Bomonti, 2 nights Conrad and 2 more nights that we haven't decided yet (maybe we will try the new Hilton Bakirkoy near the airport, looks very nice and is very cheap).
For us Istanbul is one of the best places to do 'Hilton hotel hopping', plenty to see/do and tons of hotel choices as there is anything from 5K /night Hamptons to more luxurious 5* choices (and even these are very cheap...).
I see just unbelievable rates for suites at the Kozyatagi in September. Am really not familiar with the Asian side but have two 24 hour overnights flying out of IST. I will not be using public transport and have had good experiences using car service and uber in Istanbul recently. Is the Kozyatagi so terrible inconvenient for basically an overnight stay from IST and little jaunt out for dinner in the area?
I thought Bomonti was an ok property and thought the Conrad better, interested in how the Kozyatagi compares to those properties?
Many thanks!
#396
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,323
One might just consider that property if I one were flying out of SAW, but depending on time of day it could easily take you 2 hours by car to get there from IST, and easily 300+ TL in taxi fare there is absolutely nothing whatsoever of any interest within 5 to 10km of the neighborhood, unless a Carrefour super center is of interest. This is deep in the Asian side and has little of no interest to anyone unless they work or live near there (it is near Atasehir, a huge suburb and there are some office complexes out there.....
#397
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,821
In the last couple of weeks we spent 1 night at Hampton Zeytinburnu and 1 night at Hampton Atakoy while passing through Istanbul. Both cost 5k Honors points.
I have no hesitation in recommending either hotel if you need a no-frills low-cost stay where a central location isn't important. I'm trying 2 HGIs that also cost 5k on a trip later in the year. Should be a good comparison.
I have no hesitation in recommending either hotel if you need a no-frills low-cost stay where a central location isn't important. I'm trying 2 HGIs that also cost 5k on a trip later in the year. Should be a good comparison.
How does the Hampton Atakoy and HGI Airport compare? I am just looking for a quick overnight.
#398
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,131
The HGI airport is... umm.. yeah.. For an overnight stay I might stay there again, but only if I was planning to have breakfast in the lounge or on the flight. The hotel itself is fairly mediocre, and the breakfast doesn't even come up to that level... I forget the exact details, but the airport shuttle is very limited. OK, so on second thoughts I probably wouldn't stay there again.
And don't forget that if your flying TK and your "quick overnight" is forced due to their schedule, then they will give you a free hotel for the night.
Also keep in mind that if your quick overnight is sometime after October then it's going to be at the new airport, which is 40km away from either of these hotels...
#400
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,821
The HGI airport is... umm.. yeah.. For an overnight stay I might stay there again, but only if I was planning to have breakfast in the lounge or on the flight. The hotel itself is fairly mediocre, and the breakfast doesn't even come up to that level... I forget the exact details, but the airport shuttle is very limited. OK, so on second thoughts I probably wouldn't stay there again.
#401
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,179
I will have 4 nights in Istanbul next month. I'm going to split the stay into two and am thinking of doing either the Doubletree Old Town or Sirkeci for nights 1-2 and the Conrad or Hilton Bomonti for nights 3-4. Any thoughts on which you would go for? We've never been to Istanbul and are planning on using the first 2 days to hit all of the sights in the old town area and the have a more relaxing end of the stay just kind of wandering around throughout the day. Is there any real difference between the two Doubletrees as far as the rooms go? The Old Town Doubletree is 5k points cheaper or I may just pay cash for it. For the Conrad/Bomonti choice, I'm leaning toward Bomonti since the executive lounge gets great reviews and the hotel looks to be extremely nice. On the other hand the Conrad looks nice as well and it appears upgrades there to suites are a bit more frequent. Walking to get to public transit from either property isn't a big issue for us or we can just take uber so location doesn't matter much. I'm mostly going on how nice the room/lounge is and general diamond treatment from the hotel.
Last edited by sfgiants13; Dec 27, 2018 at 1:47 pm
#402
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: HHonors Diamond, TK E+, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 120
I will have 4 nights in Istanbul next month. I'm going to split the stay into two and am thinking of doing either the Doubletree Old Town or Sirkeci for nights 1-2 and the Conrad or Hilton Bomonti for nights 3-4. Any thoughts on which you would go for? We've never been to Istanbul and are planning on using the first 2 days to hit all of the sights in the old town area and the have a more relaxing end of the stay just kind of wandering around throughout the day. Is there any real difference between the two Doubletrees as far as the rooms go? The Old Town Doubletree is 5k points cheaper or I may just pay cash for it. For the Conrad/Bomonti choice, I'm leaning toward Bomonti since the executive lounge gets great reviews and the hotel looks to be extremely nice. On the other hand the Conrad looks nice as well and it appears upgrades there to suites are a bit more frequent. Walking to get to public transit from either property isn't a big issue for us or we can just take uber so location doesn't matter much. I'm mostly going on how nice the room/lounge is and general diamond treatment from the hotel.
#403
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,179
The Conrad looks nice but quite inconvenient for metro access. The Bomonti is a little closer. Still undecided but it they both look like good hotels.
#404
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 59
As a frequent visitor to Istsnbul, the DT Sirkeci is in a good spot to visit the old city, but the rooms are small and their service is not that good. I wouldnt go back there again. You can still stay in Conrad or Hilton Bomonti and take a cap there, its not far and fairly cheap.
From my experience, both the Conrad and Hilton Bomonti are 2 of the best Hilton properties in Europe, Conrad has great views and service, but Hilton's views are unbeatable, at the lounge you will feel like sitting over the clouds. I would go for Hilton because of the views and lounge experience, I have met there the best duty and guest relations manager I have ever met during my 20+ years of travel who is taking a great care of me in every visit, that definitely contributed to the decision of having Hilton my first and best choice whenever in Istanbul.
From my experience, both the Conrad and Hilton Bomonti are 2 of the best Hilton properties in Europe, Conrad has great views and service, but Hilton's views are unbeatable, at the lounge you will feel like sitting over the clouds. I would go for Hilton because of the views and lounge experience, I have met there the best duty and guest relations manager I have ever met during my 20+ years of travel who is taking a great care of me in every visit, that definitely contributed to the decision of having Hilton my first and best choice whenever in Istanbul.
#405
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,179
As a frequent visitor to Istsnbul, the DT Sirkeci is in a good spot to visit the old city, but the rooms are small and their service is not that good. I wouldnt go back there again. You can still stay in Conrad or Hilton Bomonti and take a cap there, its not far and fairly cheap.
From my experience, both the Conrad and Hilton Bomonti are 2 of the best Hilton properties in Europe, Conrad has great views and service, but Hilton's views are unbeatable, at the lounge you will feel like sitting over the clouds. I would go for Hilton because of the views and lounge experience, I have met there the best duty and guest relations manager I have ever met during my 20+ years of travel who is taking a great care of me in every visit, that definitely contributed to the decision of having Hilton my first and best choice whenever in Istanbul.
From my experience, both the Conrad and Hilton Bomonti are 2 of the best Hilton properties in Europe, Conrad has great views and service, but Hilton's views are unbeatable, at the lounge you will feel like sitting over the clouds. I would go for Hilton because of the views and lounge experience, I have met there the best duty and guest relations manager I have ever met during my 20+ years of travel who is taking a great care of me in every visit, that definitely contributed to the decision of having Hilton my first and best choice whenever in Istanbul.