[Leaving Marriott Jan 31 2024] W Istanbul, Turkey [Master Thread]
Aug 20, 2013, 2:47 pm
#136
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
Just another datapoint - I used backpackerstravel.net. I think I found it from the Frommer's forums.
Everything was done via email and same deal - there's a guy holding a card with your name. Also, I had a good experience. My SIN-IST flight was early by about 1.5 hours (arrival time of about 05:30). I was worried there would be nobody there but the driver was right there waiting!
For the return, the driver arrived at the W at exactly the pre-arranged time.
IST to W was 25 EUR and return was 20 EUR. Neither driver spoke much (if any) English but I had no problems.
As for taxis, getting a taxi in front of the hotel and having him follow the meter was never an issue. The problem is when you get one off the street - even for the "good taxis". Know appx how much your trip should cost and negotiate it UP FRONT. The good guys will just say "I'll turn on the meter".
Everything was done via email and same deal - there's a guy holding a card with your name. Also, I had a good experience. My SIN-IST flight was early by about 1.5 hours (arrival time of about 05:30). I was worried there would be nobody there but the driver was right there waiting!
For the return, the driver arrived at the W at exactly the pre-arranged time.
IST to W was 25 EUR and return was 20 EUR. Neither driver spoke much (if any) English but I had no problems.
As for taxis, getting a taxi in front of the hotel and having him follow the meter was never an issue. The problem is when you get one off the street - even for the "good taxis". Know appx how much your trip should cost and negotiate it UP FRONT. The good guys will just say "I'll turn on the meter".
Aug 21, 2013, 2:35 pm
#138
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
It seems these guys are significantly cheaper - but I can't read the website!
http://www.alantransferi.com/
http://www.alantransferi.com/
Aug 21, 2013, 3:38 pm
#139
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,796
Aug 22, 2013, 1:10 am
#140
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
I did find these guys - and submitted a reservation request, but never heard back http://www.flypgs.com/en/airport-transport/default.aspx
Aug 31, 2013, 3:26 am
#141
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
Does anyone know if they are still solely offering choice of continental breakfast or 500 point amenity? Or do they offer full buffet breakfast to Platinums?
Aug 31, 2013, 12:10 pm
#142
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 577
Aug 31, 2013, 1:05 pm
#143
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
Oct 2, 2013, 3:56 am
#144
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
Incredible Service
I usually don't have the time or bother to write a report after every stay but the exceptional service at the W Instanbul compels me to do so. I was (sadly) just there for one night but it seemed everyone on staff--including those I hadn't met--knew my name. I was a little anxious about the taxi and safety situation in Instanbul but the concierge and the front door guys took great care of me, making sure I was in a proper taxi and the driver knew where I needed to go. The concierge even printed out a map at one point and got the driver to agree to leave his taxi and walk me to my location, as it had to be reached by foot. Check-in was fast and friendly and I was upgraded as a Plat to a fantastic suite. As others have reported here, it's essentially one very long and narrow room with the tv at the far end from the bed. The shower was great, as were the big Turkish towels. The highlight, however, was Askin, the Insider. I think he sleeps at the hotel--he was always around. And so charming--was a tremendous "front of the house" personality! I'm sure he aspires to be GM but that'd be a shame to have him hidden away in an office behind a desk. He was always around, offering help, asking how they could do better, inquiring about my day, etc. I certainly would not even consider another hotel in Istanbul at this point.
Oct 21, 2013, 12:28 pm
#145
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: STR
Programs: LH Sen, UA 1K, BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platin Ambassador
Posts: 271
Stayed at the W Istanbul last weekend for two nights.
As a Platinum I have been upgraded from a wonderful room with two bed to a Spa Suite with king bed. As we are not a couple, we asked for a second feather bed. And in a second we got it.
The bathroom is open to the room, shower and toilet are separate, but everything else is visible all through the room.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Perfect situated to visit the Domalbahce Palace and the nice neighborhood with small restaurants and cafés.
We got the full buffet breakfast for two people for the two nights for the 500 points Platinum amenity.
The full buffet breakfast was good, but not excellent. The fruits had no taste, the cereals were old. Good bread, very good freshly squeezed orange juice, big choice of cheese.
The breakfast room was very empty the two days, except of us only 4-8 people were having breakfast.
All-in-all a very nice stay in a very nice property with very kind staff.
As a Platinum I have been upgraded from a wonderful room with two bed to a Spa Suite with king bed. As we are not a couple, we asked for a second feather bed. And in a second we got it.
The bathroom is open to the room, shower and toilet are separate, but everything else is visible all through the room.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Perfect situated to visit the Domalbahce Palace and the nice neighborhood with small restaurants and cafés.
We got the full buffet breakfast for two people for the two nights for the 500 points Platinum amenity.
The full buffet breakfast was good, but not excellent. The fruits had no taste, the cereals were old. Good bread, very good freshly squeezed orange juice, big choice of cheese.
The breakfast room was very empty the two days, except of us only 4-8 people were having breakfast.
All-in-all a very nice stay in a very nice property with very kind staff.
Oct 21, 2013, 4:55 pm
#146
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,026
Stayed at the W Istanbul last weekend for two nights.
As a Platinum I have been upgraded from a wonderful room with two bed to a Spa Suite with king bed. As we are not a couple, we asked for a second feather bed. And in a second we got it.
The bathroom is open to the room, shower and toilet are separate, but everything else is visible all through the room.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Perfect situated to visit the Domalbahce Palace and the nice neighborhood with small restaurants and cafés.
We got the full buffet breakfast for two people for the two nights for the 500 points Platinum amenity.
The full buffet breakfast was good, but not excellent. The fruits had no taste, the cereals were old. Good bread, very good freshly squeezed orange juice, big choice of cheese.
The breakfast room was very empty the two days, except of us only 4-8 people were having breakfast.
All-in-all a very nice stay in a very nice property with very kind staff.
As a Platinum I have been upgraded from a wonderful room with two bed to a Spa Suite with king bed. As we are not a couple, we asked for a second feather bed. And in a second we got it.
The bathroom is open to the room, shower and toilet are separate, but everything else is visible all through the room.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Perfect situated to visit the Domalbahce Palace and the nice neighborhood with small restaurants and cafés.
We got the full buffet breakfast for two people for the two nights for the 500 points Platinum amenity.
The full buffet breakfast was good, but not excellent. The fruits had no taste, the cereals were old. Good bread, very good freshly squeezed orange juice, big choice of cheese.
The breakfast room was very empty the two days, except of us only 4-8 people were having breakfast.
All-in-all a very nice stay in a very nice property with very kind staff.
Jun 5, 2014, 8:54 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,644
I'll be staying at this property for 5 nights in July with my girlfriend, from the 12th to the 17th. Any recent stays? Chances for an upgrade (we are booked into a Wonderful)? Seems as though breakfast is not worth it...
Jul 13, 2014, 11:09 am
#148
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,644
I am here now. Renovations of the public areas started July 1 and will continue through September. Bar is closed. Breakfast is served in the Studios across the street.
Jul 27, 2014, 7:00 pm
#149
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: GSO
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 133
And what's been your experience on the platinum breakfast?
Does the remodeling really take away from the experience?
Considering W for a stay next month, but also Grand Hyatt and Conrad (both properties w/club lounge).
Thanks for any insight you can share.
Jul 27, 2014, 7:45 pm
#150
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: Hyatt Glob; UA 1K; BonVoyage LTT (RIP SPG); HH Dia; JX Insighter
Posts: 1,644
So how did you do on the upgrade?
And what's been your experience on the platinum breakfast?
Does the remodeling really take away from the experience?
Considering W for a stay next month, but also Grand Hyatt and Conrad (both properties w/club lounge).
Thanks for any insight you can share.
And what's been your experience on the platinum breakfast?
Does the remodeling really take away from the experience?
Considering W for a stay next month, but also Grand Hyatt and Conrad (both properties w/club lounge).
Thanks for any insight you can share.
As reported upthread, the platinum breakfast was nothing to write home about. There are some very good options around the corner from the hotel, in any event.