Grand Hyatt Istanbul REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 13, 2014, 10:49 am
#136
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,234
Honestly, I don't think so. In the past I've got the Grand Suite, which is okay if you need the space but otherwise underwhelming. They are also not on the club floor, and right at the ends of the corridors. For a raki and balik trip, I'd just take the regular club room.
Mar 3, 2014, 6:32 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,783
I have a stay here in late April. I arrive into IST at about 4.30pm and have a tour pick-up at 7pm (from the airport) for an overnight trip to Gallipoli. Ideally I'd like to take my luggage to the hotel and leave it there, then return back to the airport to meet the tour but I don't know if (a) it's economical and (b) if there is enough time. (The tour cannot pick-up at the hotel.0
Mar 4, 2014, 2:55 am
#138
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,234
Do you recall the cost and the journey time?
I have a stay here in late April. I arrive into IST at about 4.30pm and have a tour pick-up at 7pm (from the airport) for an overnight trip to Gallipoli. Ideally I'd like to take my luggage to the hotel and leave it there, then return back to the airport to meet the tour but I don't know if (a) it's economical and (b) if there is enough time. (The tour cannot pick-up at the hotel.)
I have a stay here in late April. I arrive into IST at about 4.30pm and have a tour pick-up at 7pm (from the airport) for an overnight trip to Gallipoli. Ideally I'd like to take my luggage to the hotel and leave it there, then return back to the airport to meet the tour but I don't know if (a) it's economical and (b) if there is enough time. (The tour cannot pick-up at the hotel.)
And that is *best* case - last two times I've been more like 40 minutes than 5 at immigration, which wouldn't get you kerbside before 5:30. And any kind of traffic snarlup (of which there are many many in Istanbul!) would leave you missing your tour.
In your shoes I'd look to use the left luggage at IST, and either just wait at the airport, or head down to Yesilkoy for a beer overlooking the Bosphorus.
Mar 4, 2014, 3:30 am
#139
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,783
Sorry, I can't help with cost/timing for the Istanbul Airport Transfer, but from experience with cabs I would say that the answer to (b) would be no. Best case, you're looking at 30 minutes from touchdown to taxi rank, then it's 45 minutes each way to the GH, and probably 15 minutes while you sort out leaving your bag... which is 2.25 hours, and gets you back to the airport at 6.45.
And that is *best* case - last two times I've been more like 40 minutes than 5 at immigration, which wouldn't get you kerbside before 5:30. And any kind of traffic snarlup (of which there are many many in Istanbul!) would leave you missing your tour.
In your shoes I'd look to use the left luggage at IST, and either just wait at the airport, or head down to Yesilkoy for a beer overlooking the Bosphorus.
And that is *best* case - last two times I've been more like 40 minutes than 5 at immigration, which wouldn't get you kerbside before 5:30. And any kind of traffic snarlup (of which there are many many in Istanbul!) would leave you missing your tour.
In your shoes I'd look to use the left luggage at IST, and either just wait at the airport, or head down to Yesilkoy for a beer overlooking the Bosphorus.
Apr 28, 2014, 10:48 am
#140
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,783
A Grand Suite King was my confirmed DSU for three nights at this hotel and it was fabulous. A huge suite, very well appointed with great amenities.
There is a an airport-style metal dector inside the man entrance with a security guard in attendance with a hand wand. I was there three days and never once went through it. I've no idea why it's there. The hotel entrance and exit are boomgated and there are bollards in the ground.
I had room service twice and the food was delivered in about 25 to 30minutes. It was well presented and, by hotel standards, I thought quite cheap. A Panini with a basic side salad (instead of chips) and three scoops of homemade sorbet was just TRY40 (about USD19).
The Grand Lounge is very nice and the evening spread is extensive, although I did find the canapés to be a little bit more 'lunch on the go' than actual canapés. Breakfast as a Diamond is only in the lounge. There is a small menu of hot items to order and the cold items are laid out, including an extensive carbohydrate bakery selection.
There is a reasonable size gym with good equipment and a big stock of complimentary bottled water. There is also a sauna and a steam room for both men and women. I prompted the front desk agent for my Diamond 4pm check-out which was then duly applied. The day before my check-out I enquired about extending my stay until 6pm, which would have set me back EUR75 plus tax. Declined!
I'm not sure this hotel is in a good location but it's not in a bad one either. It's a short walk to Taksim Square where there is a metro station and heaps of shopping in nearby streets. Taxis are cheap. It cost me TRY70 to get to the airport in a journey that took about 50 minutes (although the hotel told me to expect about 75 minutes and about TRY65). That said, traffic is horrendous, all day, everyday, everywhere.
There is a an airport-style metal dector inside the man entrance with a security guard in attendance with a hand wand. I was there three days and never once went through it. I've no idea why it's there. The hotel entrance and exit are boomgated and there are bollards in the ground.
I had room service twice and the food was delivered in about 25 to 30minutes. It was well presented and, by hotel standards, I thought quite cheap. A Panini with a basic side salad (instead of chips) and three scoops of homemade sorbet was just TRY40 (about USD19).
The Grand Lounge is very nice and the evening spread is extensive, although I did find the canapés to be a little bit more 'lunch on the go' than actual canapés. Breakfast as a Diamond is only in the lounge. There is a small menu of hot items to order and the cold items are laid out, including an extensive carbohydrate bakery selection.
There is a reasonable size gym with good equipment and a big stock of complimentary bottled water. There is also a sauna and a steam room for both men and women. I prompted the front desk agent for my Diamond 4pm check-out which was then duly applied. The day before my check-out I enquired about extending my stay until 6pm, which would have set me back EUR75 plus tax. Declined!
I'm not sure this hotel is in a good location but it's not in a bad one either. It's a short walk to Taksim Square where there is a metro station and heaps of shopping in nearby streets. Taxis are cheap. It cost me TRY70 to get to the airport in a journey that took about 50 minutes (although the hotel told me to expect about 75 minutes and about TRY65). That said, traffic is horrendous, all day, everyday, everywhere.
Apr 29, 2014, 5:46 pm
#141
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Houston
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Gold, Hilton - Gold, Global Entry,
Posts: 633
I stayed here with the family over easter weekend and had a DSU to a king suite on the 8th floor and I'll echo a lot of the comments of the previous poster.
The room was great - large living room with dining table desk and wrap around sofa. No sofabed, but the sofa is large enough and has nice wide flat cushions for somebody to sleep on. They brough sheets and a blanket and we used the living room sofa as a bed for our 3 yr old. They even woudl put a bottle of water and glass on a small stool next to the couch and turn down her bed during the evening turndown service.
We got a welcome fruit plate and bottle of wine in addition to the 1000 pt diamond amenity. They didn't take a credit card at check in which I didn't realize at the time - not sure if that is normal or just an inexperienced guy at the desk - but I ordered room service one night and they couldn't charge it to the room and the guy had to come back and take a credit card to pay for the meal. I went down to the front desk the next morning and gave them my credit card to run so that I could charge to the room.
Room service food was good and extremely cheap by room service standards. No delivery fee or additional service charge were added to the bill like I see in most hotels. I had a nice cheeseburger for 30 TL.
We went to the Easter brunch at the 34 restuarant and it was amazing. 75 TL for all you can eat with tea, coffee and water included. I'm not sure if it was the same spread as the normal easter buffet or if it was better because it was Easter, but it was high quality.
I was also amused by the metal detector and I never walked through it either and I wondered why it was there and manned.
The hotel is about a 10 - 15 minute walk from the Kabatas tram station which will take you into the historic/older part of Istanbul for 3 TL. Taxis are inexpensive as well and we took one to the Grand Bazaar from the hotel for less than 25 TL...maybe under 20 TL. We really enjoyed the stay and the service here.
The room was great - large living room with dining table desk and wrap around sofa. No sofabed, but the sofa is large enough and has nice wide flat cushions for somebody to sleep on. They brough sheets and a blanket and we used the living room sofa as a bed for our 3 yr old. They even woudl put a bottle of water and glass on a small stool next to the couch and turn down her bed during the evening turndown service.
We got a welcome fruit plate and bottle of wine in addition to the 1000 pt diamond amenity. They didn't take a credit card at check in which I didn't realize at the time - not sure if that is normal or just an inexperienced guy at the desk - but I ordered room service one night and they couldn't charge it to the room and the guy had to come back and take a credit card to pay for the meal. I went down to the front desk the next morning and gave them my credit card to run so that I could charge to the room.
Room service food was good and extremely cheap by room service standards. No delivery fee or additional service charge were added to the bill like I see in most hotels. I had a nice cheeseburger for 30 TL.
We went to the Easter brunch at the 34 restuarant and it was amazing. 75 TL for all you can eat with tea, coffee and water included. I'm not sure if it was the same spread as the normal easter buffet or if it was better because it was Easter, but it was high quality.
I was also amused by the metal detector and I never walked through it either and I wondered why it was there and manned.
The hotel is about a 10 - 15 minute walk from the Kabatas tram station which will take you into the historic/older part of Istanbul for 3 TL. Taxis are inexpensive as well and we took one to the Grand Bazaar from the hotel for less than 25 TL...maybe under 20 TL. We really enjoyed the stay and the service here.
Aug 19, 2014, 4:52 pm
#142
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
Would this hotel or the Park Hyatt be the better choice for two friends visiting Istanbul for the first time over a long weekend. PH would be on points in a twin room, GH would be a paid stay in a Twin Grand Suite with a DSU. Driver and guide services at the GH are far cheaper than at the PH but that just may be the PH inflationary effect. Can anyone compare both for touring rather than a business trip?
Aug 19, 2014, 10:22 pm
#144
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: CGK SIN PER ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,813
Would this hotel or the Park Hyatt be the better choice for two friends visiting Istanbul for the first time over a long weekend. PH would be on points in a twin room, GH would be a paid stay in a Twin Grand Suite with a DSU. Driver and guide services at the GH are far cheaper than at the PH but that just may be the PH inflationary effect. Can anyone compare both for touring rather than a business trip?
Distance-wise, PH to GH is not even that far, but you have uphill/downhill walks, and they are pretty steep.
From GH, I easily walked to Taksim to take the furnicular and then the tram to the touristy areas, from PH, I had to take a cab (also, my wife was with me compared to when I was alone at GH). PH to Sultanahmet was about 20-25 liras. For 2 people, the cost of taking a cab isn't much more than taking public transportation to Sultanahmet.
I even walked from GH to Sultanahmet before
Jan 24, 2015, 4:43 pm
#145
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
I stayed over MLK weekend using a suite upgrade. Nice big room with a kitchenette. Not sure what suite that is but it was huge. Service was phenomenal. Breakfast and night time drinks in the lounge were also great. Not mush more to stay except this is now my go to IST hotel (after trying the PH, Rad Blu Ortakoy [both great but GH is in a better location] and Hilton).
Cheers -
Cheers -
Mar 22, 2015, 10:09 am
#146
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AZ FA+, A3 G, AB G | IHG RA, HGP D, FPC P, Accor P, BW D, HH D, Eleva, GHA P, 1862 Voyager
Posts: 1,852
Stayed here a few weeks back using DSU. Absolutely underwhelmed by the suite, the lounge and the hotel in general. The breakfast restaurant was the only saving grace, but I felt like every other part of the hotel was totally void of character.
The suite has a connecting door which is very poorly insulated. So I could hear conversations and the TV from the next door until 2AM. There was only a tiny window that faced the Bosphorus. The rest of the windows faced the InterCon across the road.
Lounge was really disappointing as well. There were no hot dishes during the cocktail hour, and the service staff were in a rush to end the cocktail hour that they started clearing it and rushing me before the cut off timing.
It was my first time here and it will likely be my last. There are so many hotels to choose from in Istanbul and this property felt wanting for a GH. I enjoyed my previous stay at the PH by a mile, and as Diamond you get an awesome room without using a DSU. Plus I much prefer the area around the PH - it is much cleaner and there are nice cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
The suite has a connecting door which is very poorly insulated. So I could hear conversations and the TV from the next door until 2AM. There was only a tiny window that faced the Bosphorus. The rest of the windows faced the InterCon across the road.
Lounge was really disappointing as well. There were no hot dishes during the cocktail hour, and the service staff were in a rush to end the cocktail hour that they started clearing it and rushing me before the cut off timing.
It was my first time here and it will likely be my last. There are so many hotels to choose from in Istanbul and this property felt wanting for a GH. I enjoyed my previous stay at the PH by a mile, and as Diamond you get an awesome room without using a DSU. Plus I much prefer the area around the PH - it is much cleaner and there are nice cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
Mar 22, 2015, 12:44 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Hyatt diamond
Posts: 645
Stayed here a few weeks back using DSU. Absolutely underwhelmed by the suite, the lounge and the hotel in general. The breakfast restaurant was the only saving grace, but I felt like every other part of the hotel was totally void of character.
The suite has a connecting door which is very poorly insulated. So I could hear conversations and the TV from the next door until 2AM. There was only a tiny window that faced the Bosphorus. The rest of the windows faced the InterCon across the road.
Lounge was really disappointing as well. There were no hot dishes during the cocktail hour, and the service staff were in a rush to end the cocktail hour that they started clearing it and rushing me before the cut off timing.
It was my first time here and it will likely be my last. There are so many hotels to choose from in Istanbul and this property felt wanting for a GH. I enjoyed my previous stay at the PH by a mile, and as Diamond you get an awesome room without using a DSU. Plus I much prefer the area around the PH - it is much cleaner and there are nice cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
The suite has a connecting door which is very poorly insulated. So I could hear conversations and the TV from the next door until 2AM. There was only a tiny window that faced the Bosphorus. The rest of the windows faced the InterCon across the road.
Lounge was really disappointing as well. There were no hot dishes during the cocktail hour, and the service staff were in a rush to end the cocktail hour that they started clearing it and rushing me before the cut off timing.
It was my first time here and it will likely be my last. There are so many hotels to choose from in Istanbul and this property felt wanting for a GH. I enjoyed my previous stay at the PH by a mile, and as Diamond you get an awesome room without using a DSU. Plus I much prefer the area around the PH - it is much cleaner and there are nice cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
Have you had a chance to check out the new HR?
I will be in Istanbul for a few days in May and again in June.
Although I will not be using a DSU, I was considering staying at GH but from what you experienced I will probably choose to stay at the HR or the PH.
By the way, did you bring up any of your complaints at the time to GH mgmt?
Mar 23, 2015, 9:05 am
#148
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: DTW
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titainum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Delta Diamond
Posts: 142
Stayed in a grand suite just 7 months ago. Not a bad view at all.
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Edit: Don't know if the pics are coming up or not, from my end they're not.
[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]Edit: Don't know if the pics are coming up or not, from my end they're not.
Last edited by shakim; Mar 23, 2015 at 9:06 am Reason: Unsure about pictures
Mar 24, 2015, 12:33 pm
#149
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AZ FA+, A3 G, AB G | IHG RA, HGP D, FPC P, Accor P, BW D, HH D, Eleva, GHA P, 1862 Voyager
Posts: 1,852
Have you had a chance to check out the new HR?
I will be in Istanbul for a few days in May and again in June.
Although I will not be using a DSU, I was considering staying at GH but from what you experienced I will probably choose to stay at the HR or the PH.
By the way, did you bring up any of your complaints at the time to GH mgmt?
I will be in Istanbul for a few days in May and again in June.
Although I will not be using a DSU, I was considering staying at GH but from what you experienced I will probably choose to stay at the HR or the PH.
By the way, did you bring up any of your complaints at the time to GH mgmt?
IST is huge and the traffic conditions are usually quite bad. It can easily take an hour to get from the airport to the GH / PH.
But if you are going to be there for a few days, I think the HR will be too far away from the sights.
I did mention at checkout and the staff wrote it down on a piece of paper. Two days later I filled in the survey online and the GM wrote an email to me to apologize about the issues I faced.
I wasn't expecting any compensation so I didn't push it further.
GH location near Taksim is great if you plan to take the funicular and the metro to the old town.
PH is has more cafes and boutiques and it's a nicer area to hang out when you're done with the sightseeing over on the old town.
Mar 25, 2015, 7:39 am
#150
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 261
Just completed a fabulous two night here. Used cash plus points with a DSU for one night and a Hyatt Credit Card Anniversary night for the second night. 1 week before my check-in, I received a nice welcoming email and asked if there is anything they can do. I told them that I would prefer not to change rooms, and they graciously allowed us to stay in the suit for the 2 nights.
The room was huge. Very nicely furnished. A fruit platter was presented as a welcome. No complaints about the room furnishings.
I am no longer a Diamond, but apparently if you book a suite it also comes with lounge access. We absolutely loved the lounge. Breakfast had many very high quality offerings. In fact, the same food is offered as the main breakfast buffet in the hotel, just on a smaller scale. You could also order a hot egg dish. We visited the lounge several times a day and the staff were wonderful throughout.
Overall, an excellent hotel. If I go back to Istanbul, this is the hotel I will stay at.
The room was huge. Very nicely furnished. A fruit platter was presented as a welcome. No complaints about the room furnishings.
I am no longer a Diamond, but apparently if you book a suite it also comes with lounge access. We absolutely loved the lounge. Breakfast had many very high quality offerings. In fact, the same food is offered as the main breakfast buffet in the hotel, just on a smaller scale. You could also order a hot egg dish. We visited the lounge several times a day and the staff were wonderful throughout.
Overall, an excellent hotel. If I go back to Istanbul, this is the hotel I will stay at.