Best place to stay in Istanbul
Jul 16, 2012, 10:23 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
is there any reason not to do PH?
im guessing you would not like that edition is hangout of local power/wealth
RC would be like worst domestic RC
assuming re non-palace room at FS, its price vs PH/RC, but as mentioned, PH/RC dont have the amenities. and PH/RC plus kempinski daypasses probably adds up to FS. so maybe part of the equation is what one is doing during the day, and perhaps changing hotels over the course of itin. a question for spa goers is what access spa guests get at FS. and of course being FT, another factor is award stays being possible at most places besides FS.
there are also other boutique hotels, i think there has been some brief discussion of several here.
interesting report ^ so youre at ruya now?
1/2BR bosphorus palace suite?
^
- €650 palace courtyard room
x €1300 jr suite
- €1400 palace bosphorus room
- €2000 palace roof suite
x €3250 bosphorus suite
- €6000 bosphorus palace suite
- €7500 2BR bosphorus palace suite
~€23K 3BR atik pasha suite
interesting upgrade potential there
edit >
Musken, only 4 days ago but long enough for me to forget
conrad view http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12774826-post16.html
im guessing you would not like that edition is hangout of local power/wealth
RC would be like worst domestic RC
there are also other boutique hotels, i think there has been some brief discussion of several here.
1/2BR bosphorus palace suite?
^- €650 palace courtyard room
x €1300 jr suite
- €1400 palace bosphorus room
- €2000 palace roof suite
x €3250 bosphorus suite
- €6000 bosphorus palace suite
- €7500 2BR bosphorus palace suite
~€23K 3BR atik pasha suite
edit >
Musken,
only 4 days ago but long enough for me to forgetThe Ritz-Carlton is like a scar in the Skyline of Istanbul and was said to be built illegally. Only with some "tricks" (apparently redefining the border of the local municipality) did the Süzer family manage to keep this glass-and-concrete-tower from being demolished. The service in the RC is good, but the whole look-and-feel has nothing to do with Istanbul.
I am often in Istanbul and will keep staying at the Kempinski in summer and at the Conrad (executive floor views!) in winter.
I am often in Istanbul and will keep staying at the Kempinski in summer and at the Conrad (executive floor views!) in winter.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 16, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Jul 16, 2012, 11:16 am
#34
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
I've read the FT reviews and I've read the non-FT reviews; there's quite a different reaction to this hotel outside of our little cocoon. I've learned to vary up my sources. E380 for full Bosph view and Club w/Cent benes vs E305 at PH with no view of note plus FHR benes w/aforementioned upgrade possibilities.
Jul 16, 2012, 12:49 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2000
Programs: AA Platinum 1MM, AC SE*100k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,353
FS palace bosphorus room is the way to go...
See my review with pics here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...us-review.html
See my review with pics here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...us-review.html
Jul 26, 2012, 4:57 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
Checked into RC Istanbul club, full Bosph view room.
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
Jul 26, 2012, 5:53 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Checked into RC Istanbul club, full Bosph view room.
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
As for the views, as I posted above from the Club rooms up top at the IC, which is close to the RC, yet which is much higher up than the RC, I can only agree with you. However as an IC RA I can get the same thing you got for under €200.
To insert a picture here, just click on the picture icon when creating your post and insert the URL of where the picture resides on the Internet.
Jul 26, 2012, 10:48 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
several possibilities that immediately come to mind >
- my memory is wrong - i seem to recall first hand reports here that specifically mentioned tired rooms and weak service
- if there are such reports, presumably all old, meaning situation could have changed
- (there was a third i just forgot)
may have been renovated in 2009
from Musken's recent FS bosphorus report >
edit - searched 'worst' threads as well as "ritz+istanbul" >
mecabq "Location California, Istanbul, Doha"
mentions departure of good GM, also mentions renovation >
2005 report mentions poor door staff at RC and good door staff at FS >
does seem like a few first hand in this thread as well, but not specific
- my memory is wrong - i seem to recall first hand reports here that specifically mentioned tired rooms and weak service
- if there are such reports, presumably all old, meaning situation could have changed
- (there was a third i just forgot)
may have been renovated in 2009
from Musken's recent FS bosphorus report >
not served complimentary water by the pool
concierge...some of my questions were not answered properly at first and I ended up making quite a lot of changes to the original plan after I (slowly) got the full picture
did not feel recognized and were not addressed with name except sometimes
Housekeeping was sometimes excellent and sometimes sloppy
Some mistakes were treated as if it was us doing something wrong. For example, we wanted to order food for our son in room one night and did not find the in room dining menu in the room. When we called for it, we were told "the menu is on the table" (it wasn't!!!) and had to ask again
concierge...some of my questions were not answered properly at first and I ended up making quite a lot of changes to the original plan after I (slowly) got the full picture
did not feel recognized and were not addressed with name except sometimes
Housekeeping was sometimes excellent and sometimes sloppy
Some mistakes were treated as if it was us doing something wrong. For example, we wanted to order food for our son in room one night and did not find the in room dining menu in the room. When we called for it, we were told "the menu is on the table" (it wasn't!!!) and had to ask again
edit - searched 'worst' threads as well as "ritz+istanbul" >
mentions departure of good GM, also mentions renovation >
full seaview room, which was wide rather than long, and had a long wall of windows facing the bosphorus. There are only two of these per floor (xx10 and xx12 I believe, with xx11 being the seaview suites
doorman asked if he could arrange for transportation back to the Ritz, which surprised me until I realized that he had bothered to notice the logo on our umbrellas
doorman asked if he could arrange for transportation back to the Ritz, which surprised me until I realized that he had bothered to notice the logo on our umbrellas
does seem like a few first hand in this thread as well, but not specific
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 27, 2012 at 11:52 am
Jul 26, 2012, 11:53 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
FT >
i use imageshack >
minus >
http://imageshack.us/?no_flash=y
after upload, url changes to this >
http://imageshack.us/content_round.p...267/9443/x.jpg
this is the working direct link >
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9443/x.jpg
(copy format, there is no x.jpg in this case)
after upload, url changes to this >
http://imageshack.us/content_round.p...267/9443/x.jpg
this is the working direct link >
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9443/x.jpg
(copy format, there is no x.jpg in this case)
http://minus.com/ln0RrnTsJ237K
click it OR right click open link in new tab OR right click open image in new tab
to get direct link http://i.minus.com/in0RrnTsJ237K.jpg
click it OR right click open link in new tab OR right click open image in new tab
to get direct link http://i.minus.com/in0RrnTsJ237K.jpg
ah you can also say view original
or simply look at the "lbgvQQ1radM8tG" part and change first "l" to "i"
insert that here - http://i.minus.com/ x .jpg
or simply look at the "lbgvQQ1radM8tG" part and change first "l" to "i"
insert that here - http://i.minus.com/ x .jpg
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 14, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Jul 26, 2012, 3:38 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dublin,Ireland and Nice France
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,059
Checked into RC Istanbul club, full Bosph view room.
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
First impressions: Ive been a contributor/observer of the lux hotels forum for 10 years strong and I fear it may be going astray. Of course we all have our own particular reasons to consider certain properties for certain visits, but there is no reason to so absolutely dissuade someone from staying here; as it is nearly unanimously suggested throughout this thread and forum.
For E380 via Cent we have perhaps the most mesmerizing view I have ever had in a hotel anywhere in the world (2nd to this probably Oriental Suite balcony at MO HKG? or perhaps full river upper tier suite at Pen BKK? Either way, this view is better than both) plus all the Club amenities with service so far that is stellar. We are essentially perched at a perfect height above the Bosphorus like a lookout for Mehmet's ships would be. Stunning.
I'd post a photo of the view if I knew how. How do you post photos onto FT? Thx...
However,next door to the hotel is a rubbish strewn over grown wooded dirty looking enclosed garden.See'ing it is unavoidable.
That's what turned me off.
Jul 27, 2012, 1:14 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
Im away from home, can someone quickly check this year's FHR book? Does it say that the RC's FHR breakfast is in restaurant only or is in-room dining an option? What about the FS?
Thanks much!
DR
Thanks much!
DR
Jul 27, 2012, 1:21 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
Found it myself. This is a helpful link: http://www.finehotelsresortsdigital....2?pg=303#pg218
Unfortunately, they do not describe the breakfast options.
Jul 27, 2012, 7:41 am
#44
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
Jul 27, 2012, 8:10 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Correct. It has to be stored somewhere on the public Internet.
As for FHR breakfasts, I think the minimum is continental breakfast in the restaurant. But many hotels extend this to a full breakfast, or even a full room service breakfast. In fact out of all the many, many FHR stays I've done around the world I think only once have I been restricted to just a continental breakfast. But the FHR guide will not give you these details as it is a local hotel decision that could change at anytime.
As for FHR breakfasts, I think the minimum is continental breakfast in the restaurant. But many hotels extend this to a full breakfast, or even a full room service breakfast. In fact out of all the many, many FHR stays I've done around the world I think only once have I been restricted to just a continental breakfast. But the FHR guide will not give you these details as it is a local hotel decision that could change at anytime.