Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus {TUR}
Mar 15, 2013, 10:26 am
#151
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: In between BRU, BSL , AOI and the rest of the world
Programs: BAEC Gold, LX Sen, HH Diamond, SPG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 187
Apr 15, 2013, 2:54 am
#152
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: Not much these days: BA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,326
I am at the Conrad Istanbul now and information in the rooms says that renovation work will continue until the end of 2013. I am in a non-renovated low-floor no-view room and it definitely needs updating, but I'm on a cheap group rate so am not too surprised.
As part of the renovation work there was no overnight (midnight-6am) water supply Saturday into Sunday and only cold water into the rooms the two following nights.
As part of the renovation work there was no overnight (midnight-6am) water supply Saturday into Sunday and only cold water into the rooms the two following nights.
May 17, 2013, 2:02 am
#154
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: In between BRU, BSL , AOI and the rest of the world
Programs: BAEC Gold, LX Sen, HH Diamond, SPG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 187
Just off a three nights stay (C&P) early on this week and this hotel continues to be one of my favorite in the Hilton world. I was staying there regularly when visiting Istanbul for business few years back but after had not been there for several years. We then selected it again this year for a short pleasure stay and I have to say we were again very pleased for our choice. The hotel is undergoing a not to bothering renovation for a good half of the rooms, and the first room we were offered, despite the Bosphorus view, had a good view of them. We asked then to be moved and we were then offered a nice, not to big , room on the 15th floor , just adjacent the executive lounge and with a stunning view over the Bosphorus towards the old Istanbul city. The lounge offers a good selection of appetizers and drinks and a stunning 180 degrees view (probably more) of the Bosphorus - the real plus of this hotel -till the old city and Blue Mosque. Very nice ambience in the lounge and good place to meet people from all over the world, most of them repeat customers . Just staying in the lounge there watching the sea traffic over the Bosphorus is worth the detour. Service is rather good for European standards and staff at the lounge very helpful . The Conrad is not very central but 20-30 minutes by taxi (15 - 20 TL depending on location and traffic) from the old city, if you want to visit, or from various business locations. Alternatively you can rapidly walk down to the water and catch a ferry to one of the various locations along the Bosphorus. Taxi from the airport is about 70 TL . If time is not a concern , ask to take the coastal road because the ride is as good as any of the various bus tours, with the driver happy to provide some touristic information in his best english. Over all, I do not have many comparisons in Istanbul , but highly recommend this hotel for good service and its rather unique location (over the top of a small hill) and span of the view .
May 30, 2013, 7:51 pm
#155
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DC
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 597
Thanks for the info on the Conrad Crazyit. Was the room that you ultimately given a renovated or unrenovated room? Wondering what kind of job they are doing on the renovations and how the newer rooms are comparing to the old ones. I am HH Diamond also, but booking on points. Were you on a revenue stay or points? Just wondering if they will stick us in an old broom closet on the 2nd floor or lend a Diamond hand with a renovated room or upgrade.
Thanks for all of your info and great report!
Thanks for all of your info and great report!
May 31, 2013, 3:38 pm
#156
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: In between BRU, BSL , AOI and the rest of the world
Programs: BAEC Gold, LX Sen, HH Diamond, SPG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 187
[QUOTE=Dcislander;20839487]
Hi Dcislander, we were staying on a Cash & Points rate for a Bosphorous view room , which was the most convenient rate at the time of booking. The rooms we stayed in was not renovated but still more than acceptable. Nor I think renovated rooms are already available. Renovation is undergoing on all floors and on one side of the building. Overall, Diamond and, according to other guests, Gold are well treated. Check in for Diamond is in the executive lounge on the 15th floor where if hotel is not full you can try to make them select a room with a good view. I'm sure you will enjoy the stay and do not hesitate to ask for a better room if you do not like the one received as it worked out well for us.
Hi Dcislander, we were staying on a Cash & Points rate for a Bosphorous view room , which was the most convenient rate at the time of booking. The rooms we stayed in was not renovated but still more than acceptable. Nor I think renovated rooms are already available. Renovation is undergoing on all floors and on one side of the building. Overall, Diamond and, according to other guests, Gold are well treated. Check in for Diamond is in the executive lounge on the 15th floor where if hotel is not full you can try to make them select a room with a good view. I'm sure you will enjoy the stay and do not hesitate to ask for a better room if you do not like the one received as it worked out well for us.
Aug 3, 2013, 2:50 am
#158
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Accor ?????
Posts: 1,398
We were a little nervous about staying here, given the mixed reviews, but in the end it turned out to be a good choice.
As Gold members we were upgraded to an executive room (lounge access), which seems to be the norm. We also checked in quite early and were happy that they accommodated us without hassle. I forgot to ask for a Bosphorous view, but the other side had good views too.
The negatives: The AC couldn't keep up with the hot weather, so the room was hotter than we'd like, though not unbearable. The lounge was also warm in the afternoon (but nice in evening) because the door to the balcony is left open. The bathroom is small and we had trouble controlling the temperature of the shower. The location is not near the airport or the old city. The lounge food was so-so: very good some nights (salmon), and weak other nights.
The positives: The Bosphorus views are amazing! The staff are generally very good. Breakfast is good. The local area has a few charms.
Transportation: We followed some previous suggestions about transportation and were happy with the choices. From the airport, we took the Havatas bus to Taksim and then taxi to the hotel. The taxi driver was so nice he gave us a free tour of the Galata bridge on the way to the hotel (I'm mostly joking...this certainly must be the "long way around"). Same route in reverse on the way back, though it was difficult convincing the taxi driver that we weren't insane; he couldn't speak English, but his frantic hand-waving and back-of-napkin calculations suggested that were idiots. For the old town, the ferry to the asian side, then another ferry to the Galata bridge was a counterintuitive but brilliant idea.
Overall opinion of hotel: If you temper your expectations of the room, I think this hotel can be a good choice. The Hilton might be even better, but we didn't stay there.
Istanbul impressions: I like this city, even though taxi drivers are a disreputable lot. The views, the history, the food, and the value are all great.
As Gold members we were upgraded to an executive room (lounge access), which seems to be the norm. We also checked in quite early and were happy that they accommodated us without hassle. I forgot to ask for a Bosphorous view, but the other side had good views too.
The negatives: The AC couldn't keep up with the hot weather, so the room was hotter than we'd like, though not unbearable. The lounge was also warm in the afternoon (but nice in evening) because the door to the balcony is left open. The bathroom is small and we had trouble controlling the temperature of the shower. The location is not near the airport or the old city. The lounge food was so-so: very good some nights (salmon), and weak other nights.
The positives: The Bosphorus views are amazing! The staff are generally very good. Breakfast is good. The local area has a few charms.
Transportation: We followed some previous suggestions about transportation and were happy with the choices. From the airport, we took the Havatas bus to Taksim and then taxi to the hotel. The taxi driver was so nice he gave us a free tour of the Galata bridge on the way to the hotel (I'm mostly joking...this certainly must be the "long way around"). Same route in reverse on the way back, though it was difficult convincing the taxi driver that we weren't insane; he couldn't speak English, but his frantic hand-waving and back-of-napkin calculations suggested that were idiots. For the old town, the ferry to the asian side, then another ferry to the Galata bridge was a counterintuitive but brilliant idea.
Overall opinion of hotel: If you temper your expectations of the room, I think this hotel can be a good choice. The Hilton might be even better, but we didn't stay there.
Istanbul impressions: I like this city, even though taxi drivers are a disreputable lot. The views, the history, the food, and the value are all great.
Aug 4, 2013, 12:21 pm
#159
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Starwoods/ Marriott Life Time Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, and HP
Posts: 823
Excellent Property
I had a outstanding stay at the Conrad Istanbul. As a Diamond, we were upgraded to a great suite.
This property has an outstanding management team
This property has an outstanding management team
Sep 21, 2013, 8:41 am
#160
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA, AS, SQ, Hilton Diamond, PC Platinum, National Exec
Posts: 726
We were booked on P&C Bosporus view. As a gold we were escorted to the 15th floor for check-in, which was not expected and a nice welcome.
The room was pretty mediocre, but it was OK. Breakfast in the main restaurant is very good. In my opinion access to the Executive Lounge is the highlight of this property. It made our stay, absolutely stunning.
The room was pretty mediocre, but it was OK. Breakfast in the main restaurant is very good. In my opinion access to the Executive Lounge is the highlight of this property. It made our stay, absolutely stunning.
Oct 29, 2013, 5:13 pm
#163
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite Plus, SAS EBG, QR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,297
Just booked myself a weekend trip to Istanbul. Have some orphan HHonors points, and noticed that the points + cash rates for this property were rather good.
My flight is arriving at the ungodly hour of 4:20am so I'm wondering how early I can check in at the hotel? Also are upgrades given to HH Gold members?
I did look at some pics of the hotel, and by the looks of it the interior looks slightly outdated. Does this affect the overall experience of the hotel, or should I perhaps book the Hilton instead.
My flight is arriving at the ungodly hour of 4:20am so I'm wondering how early I can check in at the hotel? Also are upgrades given to HH Gold members?
I did look at some pics of the hotel, and by the looks of it the interior looks slightly outdated. Does this affect the overall experience of the hotel, or should I perhaps book the Hilton instead.
Oct 29, 2013, 11:40 pm
#165
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,144
Conrad Istanbul Trip Reports and Reviews
I'm staying here right now. Great place, friendly staff. Not in renovated room, but still very good with very comfortable bed. We are on points and cash. Upgraded to Bosporus view, on checkin, which was very late at night. Lounge is pretty good, although not as awesome as some Conrad's. Lounge has great views and outdoor deck, which was the place to be to see yesterday's fireworks. YouTube it.