Grand Hyatt Istanbul REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
 

Has anyone stayed here? Opinions please.

Its been 2 years, but I stayed there many times. Great property, good service.

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Have passport, will travel...
LAX, LHR, CDG, et.al.

i stayed there...a pretty good hotel...what are your other options?

Well, if it were just me traveling, I'd probably look at the Four Seasons or Ciragan Palace. However, I'm bringing family members along, and it's working out more economically to stay at the Hyatt.

One thing I'd like to know is anything about the neighborhood it's in. Generally okay?

yes...and it is about 5 min walk to either the plaza (forgot the name, taksim plaza?) or to the palace....and it is cheap to go by taxi in istanbul.......intercontinenal is opposite the street, a bit taller and newer (perhaps also a bit more $)

I have not stayed at this Hotel. I was
staying at the Inter Continental in IST
which is across the street from the Hyatt.
Location is ok. Fare in taxi from IST is
very reasonable. Do not use any hotels car
service as it is a rip off. Pool area looked
very nice as the people at the Hyatt were
having alot more fun than the stuffy people
at the IC. That's all I know.

Stayed there January 2001. Very nice property. Modern building with some elements of local traditional architecture (as usual in European/Asian Hyatts). Nice pool although it was too cold for it in January. Impeechable service, good food. Located in a little park (IC and I believe also Hilton nearby). Location is at the end of the western oriented shopping area with a little tram way running through the street. This very street also has a lot of nice restaurants. Only downside: To downtown with the bazar and the sights you need to talk a (short) walk to the tram way, take the tram, take an (equally funny) subway, walk across the Galata bridge and take the next tram and you will be there. Or you take a cab in the first place, which is rather inexpensive as already mentioned in previous posts.
Enjoy your stay

I stayed at this hotel several times 4 or 5 years ago and found the service impeccable. The rooms were very large and comfortable. I hope that they have kept up the 5 STAR standard that they used to live by.

all male housekeeping staff at Hyatt Istanbul
 

When I last stayed at the Hyatt Istanbul, 2-3 years ago, I noticed that all the housekeeping staff I ran into during all 4 days were men, in various age ranges from 20's and up.

Is this common in any other countries or cities? I asked the RC staff about this, thinking perhaps it's due to religious or cultural reasons, but they couldn't answer my question and seemingly never thought about it.

Just curious...

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country. And every hotel I've been to in Muslim countries have all-male staff. You might see a foreign woman as a hostess here and there, but the housekeeping is all male.

Malaysia and Indonesia are certainly not like that. Plenty of female staff. I even think that Iranian hotels have female staff if I remember correctly from discussions with others.

Well as I recall from Saudi Arabia & the U.A.E. (the most recent I've been to), the staff is all male. Also in Saudi, the doors aren't locked unless you choose to lock them from the inside.

The Arab/South Asian countries are a little different than East Asian muslim countries, then again most muslims in the world are NOT arab. ;-)

It is interesting that the doors at hotels in Saudi are locked from the outside. Old British colonial houses seem to have locks on the outside as well as the inside. I always thought the idea of someone being able to also lock someone in a house from the outside gave a new meaning to house arrest. ;-)

I stayed there a couple of years ago and found it to be fine. Excellent Regency Club and rooms, as I recall.

Neighborhood was safe and relatively convenient, but a little bit off center.

I know my input is brief, but that's honestly all I can recall. Hopefully someone else can provide more insight.

Have stayed there a couple of months ago. The hotel is great, definitely a must recommend - they just completed refurbishing the whole hotel, so the rooms are modern and comfortable and high-tech, with free wi-fi internet access throughout the hotel. The location is also a plus in my view - a ten minute taxi drive from the city centre's attractions, but right in the heart of the business quarter. Also is a minute walk away from Taksim Square, with all the bars, restaurants and shops available. In all, I would definitely recommend the Hyatt in Istanbul (check their site at istanbul.regency.hyatt.com).

I can only echo above. Was upgraded to a very nice suite as a D. The staff is excellent. OK location. My trip before I stayed at the Inter Continental. I could only look down from my room at the IC in lust of all the people enjoying their stay at the Hyatt. So my next trip I booked the Hyatt. Nice Lounge. Tours of course depart from Hotel. Excellent concierge staff versus the IC. In net. I also felt the IC was trying to rip me off. IMHO

I like the Hyatt Istanbul quite a bit and they are great in many regards.

The 2 hotels I have a strong fondness for there are the Ciragan Palace and the Hyatt.

I have never stayed at the Hyatt Istanbul, but I did stay the the Ciragan Palace a couple of years ago and was very impressed--with its view overlooking the Bosphorus, it's gorgeous facilities, and its staff. As I plan to be traveling to Istanbul, this year, I'd appreciate knowing how you would rate the Hyatt comparatively. Thanks in advance.

I am a Diamond member at Hyatt and a Leaders Club member in regard to Ciragan Palace, so that may have impacted my experience. If the Ciragan Palace was a 9.4/10.0, the Hyatt would be a 8.9/10.0. What impressed me was that the Hyatt actually gave me personal hotel stationary with my name pre-printed on it and a little gift that I could take home. The Hyatt is a modern hotel, the Ciragan Palace is a classic, unique property. Service at both is very good although I find the Ciragan Palace far more lively and better for hosting guests/visitors. I would say the Hyatt is a great value. The Ciragan you get what you pay for and then some.

When I first looked at that, I thought how in the world could you have enough faster free nights to stay from March 2nd to June 4th, and then I did a double take and said if you are not American, then perhaps you are staying from Feb. 3rd to April 6th (more reasonable but still a stretch). Then I finally realized you meant March 2nd to 6th, 2004. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I must be sleepy.

I stayed at the Hyatt last month and was VERY pleased. Hotel was great and so was the service. Well, it may have had something to do with the number of guests that were there. I was wondering why everyone remembered my name and my curiosity was satisfied when the lounge agent alerted me to the fact that I was one of only two people on the floor.

Breakfast was served in the Restaurant and not the lounge (not sure if that was due to the occupancy level) but it was nice. Be prepared for the usual bomb checks driving in and the metal detector in the lobby. They also had just installed high-speed internet in the rooms which was given to guests free during the month-not sure what the daily rate will be?

Lastly, not having stayed at the Ciragan Palace I can't compare them but I have stayed at the Ritz and I must say that the Hyatt is a tie in comfort and service and truly only loses out in food quality.

My family stayed there a number of years ago during the Istanbul Summit. President and Hilary Clinton were in town at a different hotel; the Hyatt was assigned to the Canadian Prime Minister.

The staff carried it off very well.

The Sunday buffet is spectacular.

Istanbul VERY mini report
 

Was there twice the past month, once on award stay, once paying. As a Diamond, given top floor room in front of hotel. Rooms on the south side of the front have Bosphorus view. But you need to be up high or your're blocked by the building across the street.

Location: Near Taksim square and the pedestrian mall, a great area. Taxis to Blue Mosque, Topkapi, etc., will run about 15 lira while airport will run about 30-35 (1 lira ~ 75 US cents).

Rooms are very nicely done, but small. Glassed-in shower, separate tub, etc.

RC is superb. Good morning spread, cereals, pastries, meat, etc. (no eggs or other American style b-fast). Evening has hors doeuvres kind of things. Free wine, champagne and booze. ;) Cocktails end at 7:30. There is an extremely helpful concierge outside the RC for checkin-checkout. They got me a very cheap flight to Antalya.

Health club is nicely done, bikes, treadmills, weights, and a Turkish bath.

Public areas are very tastefully done, as is the large outdoor pool (but it was too cool to use). Didn't eat at the hotel but there are Italian, Japanese, and something else. My wife was there two months earlier and reported the food as very good.

WARNING: Long distance phone calls are criminally high. I talked to my daughter in Alanya, a Turkish town on the Med, about 400kms south: 20 minutes, 90 euros. :mad: The GM and I had a lengthy discussion on that one.

Similarly, wireless/wired internet in the rooms is 20 euros per day, but they have a PC outside the RC you can use with free internet access (but keep it to under an hour).

Bottom line: Great hotel. Would definitely stay again.

WARNING: Long distance phone calls are criminally high. I talked to my daughter in Alanya, a Turkish town on the Med, about 400kms south: 20 minutes, 90 euros. :mad: The GM and I had a lengthy discussion on that one.

Similarly, wireless/wired internet in the rooms is 20 euros per day, but they have a free PC outside the RC you can use.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the warning ! I lke also this hotel very much. Staff at the RC is very friendly...and they had a nice chocolate cake for desert.

I really like this place. When I was there I was one of only two people on the RC level---service was great!

Did not like it much
 

I much prefer the ritz carlton, and prices are much the same.;)

Cool, I'll check out the Ritz Carlton.

The lowest rate on hyatt.com for the HR Istanbul from Sep 2-6 is 249 euros which seems kind of high.

Thanks for the recommendation!

I have been here twice in the last month. I am only Platinum, so didn't get the RC, but I like this property a lot. I actually prefer it over the Ritz-Carlton. The rooms and bathrooms are nicer at the Hyatt and the windows don't open at the R-C. I have stayed at the executive club at the R-C; it was fine -- probably equivalent to the Regency Club based on the write-ups here. Please let us know how it goes.

I really didn't like the Hyatt Istanbul. I stayed here for 4 days. First, the building, gym & pool facilities, lobby and room we stayed in are very nice. Everything feels spacious and comfortable. The room has a great bathroom with a very nice rain showerhead that is perfect after a hot & sweaty day of exploring Istanbul.

But I really feel this hotel operates at a lower standard of service than should be acceptable at a 5 star hotel. From the Front Desk to Housekeeping to the gym attendant, I encountered rude, ineffective and downright unwelcoming staff members. Throughout our stay, we experience staff members overcharging us (charged us for entrees different than what we ordered at breakfast), a gym attendant forbidding me to take a 1/2 bottle of water back to my room (I drank 1/2 while working out), saying that the water is only for the gym, cleaning staff who didn't know how to clean, and a rude Front Desk attendant who questioned whether I was a guest at the hotel.

There are lots of hotels in Istanbul, and this won't be one that I'll be coming back to if I ever visit Istanbul again.

Just booked a Club Suite for next year.

Do you guys have any new trip reports or comments on the hotel?

I, too, am interested in updates on the hotel.

I believe that I read it was renovated in 2004. Is it still fresh?

What is the current charge for internet? Is there free wireless in the lounge?

What is the food service in the lounge? Breakfast, afternoon tea, evening appetizers, desserts? Or something less?

In an older report a diamond member reported getting an upgrade to a suite. Does that still happen?

How many restauarants are there in the hotel? What type of food do they serve? How is the quality of the food?

LegalEagle
 

Stayed there a number of years ago in November and thought the food on the Sunday brunch was spectacular. (They do label buffet items that are haram for the observant). The Turkish bath had a chemical odor around it but the tile was beautiful. :)

I stayed there for 3 nights two weeks ago.

I had a suite which was large and pretty modern.

Food in the lounge was good. Breakfast continental style. Good pastries for tea and nice selection at cocktail time.

I cant recall if it had free wireless in the lounge. Internet access was aprox $20 a day i believe.

I would definitely stay there again.

The hotel is still fresh. Rooms are spacious and very modern. Bathrooms in particular are great. There is no free internet. It costs 15 EUR per day and only cable connection available in the rooms. The system will give you a user name and password. Keep those to connect to wireless internet in public areas.

The breakfast is very very good. It's served in "Agora" restaurant which is the main restaurant of the hotel. They also have an a la carte menu offering local and international cuisine. There is an Italian restaurant called "Spazio". The food here is also very good. There is a bar called "Library Bar" which used to be a cigar and cognac bar but smoking is now prohibited in public areas of the hotel. The lounge is called "Mezzannine" which serves snacks and beverages all day long. There is the afternoon Tea "HyTea" between 15:00 and 18:00 which last year cost about 20 EUR including unlimited tea and coffee. Food and beverage is generally very good at the hotel but rather expensive.

If you book your room through the hotel (website or by phone) you will receive an upgrade to a Regency Club room but not a suite. If all RC rooms are sold out, then you will be upgraded to a suite. Upgrades depend on availability of the hotel and are not guaranteed...

Let me know if you need any more specific information about the hotel ;)

Hyatt Regency has now a new SPA (since May 2007) called "GAIA SPA" and it is beautiful and very modern. If you stayed at the hotel before this date, it was the crappy old one :)

How is the Club Lounge staff?

If you are booked/confirmed in the Club Level (or Suite), do you check-in in the lounge? If so, how is that, functional or not?

There are currently 2 girls taking care of the Regency Club. They are both very nice girls. One is a very experienced girl and the other is still quite new. There is a separate reception on the 8th floor located right across the RC Lounge. If you stay in a suite or at the RC, you will be checked in and out from there. You need to go to the reception at the lobby first and when the staff figures out your are staying at the Club floor, they will (they normally need to) walk you to the elevator and even until the reception on the 8th floor (depending on how busy they are).

If you stay at a suite or an RC room, you will receive a complimentary breakfast at the RC Club Lounge which is continental (so no hot stuff). There is also a cocktail hour between 18:00 and 20:00 where they serve unlimited alcoholic beverages and finger food.

If you stay at the RC floor, ask fro a sea view room. They will try to get you one as long as the hotel is not sold out...

Dear FlyingVeyHigh,

How do you know so much about the hotel? :)

Do you stay there a lot or are maybe involved in managing it?

When I stayed there last (about 10 years ago), I noticed all their housekeepers were male. Why was that, and is it still true?

This is the case in general in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. In some respects Istanbul is like Europe, and in other respects like the Middle East. Chalk this up to the latter! It's the case at all of the hotels in Istanbul.

To add to the main topic of this thread, I concur about the Hyatt -- it is one of the best hotels in the city. I prefer it slightly to the InterCon next door and the W. It is comparable to the hotels in what I would consider the next category up, i.e., R-C and Kempinski Cirigan Palace (FS is a different story).

The rooms are nicer, bathrooms are beautiful, and pool area is the best I have experienced in the city besides the Kempinski. The service is excellent, and the hotel certainly feels fresh and modern. The Regency Club is not as nice as the clubs at the InterCon or R-C (especially for breakfast), but is serviceable.

I hope to experience the Park Hyatt soon.