DT IST Topkapi: Average, nice upgrade

I actually booked the wrong property without realizing it - as I had initially wanted to book the Doubletree Istanbul Esentepe which was closer to stop where the airport bus would stop at Gayrettepe.  This was because I was arriving late into the new Istanbul airport and I knew getting into town was not as easy as the previously older airport.  Since I was too late to cancelled, realizing this only on the day of travel I just kept my 1 night reservation at this property. 

Getting from the airport to this property is very difficult if you do not plan to come by car or taxi/shared ride.  The airport bus stops at Esenier metro which is still about a 10 mins ride by taxi.  There is another metro station (Bayrampaşa) which is still about 15 mins walk from the property via a rather uninspiring road - along some industrial/office area.  Around the hotel, there is really not much of anything interesting - there is a small suburban area, however this area is mainly interesting for those wanting to buy in bulks clothing for export.  For touristic activities, this property really has not much for offer.  There are a few local eateries close by, but that is it.  For those wanting to use public transportation to this property, it is high not recommended if you arrive after the metro services stops - as usual, using a taxi after hours is for sure not recommended with these drivers asking for a arm and leg for the short ride to the property. 

Since I arrived around 1,30am at the property, there was no guests in the lobby area - and I was helped immediately by the sole agent working the front desk.  I did not receive any prior notice about any upgrade and did not bother to do an online check-in.  It was not the most warm welcome (but this is quite common at other Hilton properties in Istanbul) - and after providing my identity document, I was checked in without any further issues.  I was informed that I had been upgraded to a Suite (with no further acknowledgement for my loyalty, etc).  I was also provided with an information sheet and sent off to my room. 

The room situated on the 10th floor, was located just opposite the elevator.  As expected, it was very spacious - although for a suite, it was on the smaller side.  At the entrance hallway, there was a guest toilet to the right side and directly at the end of the hallways, was a small kitchenette and dining area.  

Next to this area was the living room area with a sofa for 2-2 1/2 space.  There was a large TV in this area.  Being a proper suite, the bedroom was in a separate room.  The bedroom area was well appointed with a working desk (with the 2nd TV secured to the wall).  There was a large wardrobe in the bedroom.  Both rooms had a view towards the financial district of the European side and beyond. 

Sleep quality was good - without any disturbance from the exterior nor interior (especially just being across from the elevator.  The bed was just right - and climate control unit worked well keeping to the room temperature constant.

The bathroom area was actually very spacious - with a separate toilet room and walk-in shower.  there was also a bathtub/jacuzzi - which was nice (but I did not use).  The walk-in shower was maybe a bit too big, so large that maybe 5 persons could be in that shower room with space to spare.  The only problem with the design was that the floor was not an afterthought, so after a shower, there were areas were the water will not flow towards the small drain all the way at the other end of the door.  Outside of that, water pressure and temperature was good.  The bathroom also consisted of a double sink area - with the usual Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries.  

The breakfast was served on the 1st floor of the property.  This was actually quite a bad experience - although I arrived at what seems to be an empty hotel, the breakfast room was full of hotel guests.  Furthermore, the reception of the breakfast host was not the most welcoming - it was basically, getting your room number and you are left to find your own table in what I found to be a chaotic situation.  I suspect that the hotel is being used by some tour groups leading to the number of guests eligible for breakfast.  

They did open a sort of overflow room - but even with this, it did not seem sufficient to accommodate the number of guests.  It would have been possible to have breakfast outside on the patio - but due to the strong wind gusts that day, there was no guests sitting outside.  

The breakfast quality - was questionable - although it did have quite a large variety.  For those looking for hot dishes with meat, this was certainly not the place to look for them - hot dishes mainly consisted of egg based and some fried vegetable samosas and spring rolls.  

They did have an eggs to order station - which I did not bother to use due to the line.  

All in all - the whole breakfast experience was far from comfortable and especially befitting a Doubletree property - it was even worst than an Hampton inn standard.  I would say it was more of a 1-star experience compared to a 3/4-star hotel. 

All in all, ouside of the unexpected upgrade as an Hilton Elite member - which was appreciated, I felt that the value for the price paid was quite poor - with so many items not meeting the expectation especially the service and breakfast situation,  I will not really recommend this property especially for those without a need to be in the area.