IC Ceylan Istanbul Master Thread [merged]
Jul 20, 2007, 12:43 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: DL GM and so on
Posts: 1,200
www.shuttledirect.com
It's a Spanish company affiliated with AmEx. They provide airport transfers all over Europe.
It's a Spanish company affiliated with AmEx. They provide airport transfers all over Europe.
Jul 24, 2007, 4:39 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I decided to wing it and just took a normal taxi. It was 35 YTL (€20) with a tip.
At the hotel I was directed to the Club for check in. RA's get full Club access always. Amb members can use the Club, but have to pay for all they eat and drink. There are a few PC's in the club so I guess that is a nice thing for the AMB's.
I got an awesome view of the Bosphorus from my 17th floor Club room.
Nice health club, but from 12-2pm the Turkish bath is ladies only.
And as an aside I can heartily recommend the rooftop restaurant of the Armada hotel (near the Blue Mosque) for dinner. One of the all-time best views from a restaurant. ^
At the hotel I was directed to the Club for check in. RA's get full Club access always. Amb members can use the Club, but have to pay for all they eat and drink. There are a few PC's in the club so I guess that is a nice thing for the AMB's.
I got an awesome view of the Bosphorus from my 17th floor Club room.
Nice health club, but from 12-2pm the Turkish bath is ladies only.
And as an aside I can heartily recommend the rooftop restaurant of the Armada hotel (near the Blue Mosque) for dinner. One of the all-time best views from a restaurant. ^
Jul 25, 2007, 3:09 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,526
I stayed here each of the last two weekends, and had great experiences. I booked a very low rate (the "Luxury Weekend" package for EUR 192 per night including breakfast), but as RA was also given club access and an upgrade to a junior suite. Plus they brought fruit, wine, and chocolates, along with a note from the manager saying, "welcome back, mecabq." And the service overall was great. Both times they allowed me to check in at 7:30am, and one of the times I asked for a check-out at 5:30pm, which they obliged. (Sort of abusing the system, I know!)
I also spent some time by the pool, which was nice as well. Periodically they would bring by complimentary fruits (in a glass with ice) or ayran.
I have three slight complaints: (1) The bed was not as comfortable as most five-star hotels these days. (2) As a previous poster mentioned, the international phone rates are unbelievable. I think that it's EUR 17 per minute for a call to a Turkish GSM phone, something like EUR 30 per minute for a call to the U.S., and like EUR 55 for a call to the UAE. It's strange to be broken out this way -- there's a little card next to the phone with the rates, and it has something like 10 categories, including the three that I have cited. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the Turkish phone system can explain this. (3) The in-room internet doesn't work well. I think that I have stayed five times, and had trouble getting the internet to work four of the five. I am pretty adept at this, but they had to send an IT guy to fix the port or whatnot.
Overall, however, this is a first-class hotel.
I also spent some time by the pool, which was nice as well. Periodically they would bring by complimentary fruits (in a glass with ice) or ayran.
I have three slight complaints: (1) The bed was not as comfortable as most five-star hotels these days. (2) As a previous poster mentioned, the international phone rates are unbelievable. I think that it's EUR 17 per minute for a call to a Turkish GSM phone, something like EUR 30 per minute for a call to the U.S., and like EUR 55 for a call to the UAE. It's strange to be broken out this way -- there's a little card next to the phone with the rates, and it has something like 10 categories, including the three that I have cited. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the Turkish phone system can explain this. (3) The in-room internet doesn't work well. I think that I have stayed five times, and had trouble getting the internet to work four of the five. I am pretty adept at this, but they had to send an IT guy to fix the port or whatnot.
Overall, however, this is a first-class hotel.
Jul 25, 2007, 5:38 am
#50
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: DL GM and so on
Posts: 1,200
Jul 25, 2007, 8:01 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Experiences often vary...but I had an excellent experience at the IC Istanbul. My Bosphorus view club room had very nice furnishings and I found the staff to be excellent. The club lounge staff was extremely quick to offer beverages and was also immensely helpful in an incident where we needed translation assistance for dealing with the Turkish police. I'd certainly return to the hotel in the future.
Jul 25, 2007, 2:24 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Hmm. I had great internet in my room and it is of course free for Club guests. So I made very cheap local calls using Skype. I didn't have a problem with the bed, but I don't mind firm mattresses. I like the pool grill! Good eats.
Apr 24, 2008, 5:46 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,963
Istanbul's IC Ceylan Hotel receives top awards (source:Turkish Daily News)
Istanbul's Ceylan InterContinental Hotel is about to break the record for the most awards won in 2007 with the Hotel of the Year on the European Continent and Leader Hotel awards.
The managers of the hotels within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for Europe, Middle East and Africa met in the UK for the ceremony. The awards were given in Berkshire at the Royal Ascot Racecourse, a venue that has hosted many celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II. IHG President Kirk Kinsell presented the awards to Executive Committee Chairman Taha AltaylI and General Manager Fatih Senuslu who represented the Istanbul hotel.
The awards were given on the basis of obtaining the highest score on the Visitor Evaluation Index and the General Sufficiency Standard. This was the second time the Leader Award has been presented to the Istanbul InterContinental for the second time as it received the award is 2006 as well. The hotel was also named Hotel of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
(...)
Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul at Taksim Square is one of the notable tall buildings in that part of the city. It has 383 rooms of which 52 are suites.
The managers of the hotels within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for Europe, Middle East and Africa met in the UK for the ceremony. The awards were given in Berkshire at the Royal Ascot Racecourse, a venue that has hosted many celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II. IHG President Kirk Kinsell presented the awards to Executive Committee Chairman Taha AltaylI and General Manager Fatih Senuslu who represented the Istanbul hotel.
The awards were given on the basis of obtaining the highest score on the Visitor Evaluation Index and the General Sufficiency Standard. This was the second time the Leader Award has been presented to the Istanbul InterContinental for the second time as it received the award is 2006 as well. The hotel was also named Hotel of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
(...)
Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul at Taksim Square is one of the notable tall buildings in that part of the city. It has 383 rooms of which 52 are suites.
Jun 30, 2009, 10:07 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,526
This is a very solid hotel in an ideal location. I have stayed many times and always had good service.
It's not as luxurious as the Hyatt Regency across the street, but should meet your needs in a club room. Try the InterContinental Hotels forum; there are some reviews there.
It's not as luxurious as the Hyatt Regency across the street, but should meet your needs in a club room. Try the InterContinental Hotels forum; there are some reviews there.
Jun 30, 2009, 3:10 pm
#57
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
Because the topic of this thread is about a specific InterContinental Hotels property, the new home for this thread is now the InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador forum.
Regards,
Canarsie
Senior Moderator
Regards,
Canarsie
Senior Moderator
Jul 11, 2009, 10:16 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: HKG/PEK/PVG
Programs: AA: Concierge Key; Air China: Gold; Marriott/SPG: Lifetime Plat; Hyatt: Globalist; Hilton: Diamond
Posts: 127
IC Istanbul.
Hey all,
I am planning on staying in IC Istanbul for honey moon. Did anyone stay at this IC before? Is it a good hotel locationwise? What is their upgrade policy for RA?
Thank you very much for your help.
I am planning on staying in IC Istanbul for honey moon. Did anyone stay at this IC before? Is it a good hotel locationwise? What is their upgrade policy for RA?
Thank you very much for your help.