Aydinoglu Hotel

On 19 July 2021, my brother and I were refused entry to the swimming pool because we hadn't brought a woman with us. Nobody explained the reason. There were two women at reception, and BURCU was particularly rude, suddenly raising her voice at us for no reason. After we were turned away, two local men went straight into the pool. It left me with unanswered questions, including whether our skin color had anything to do with it. This was a disgraceful experience in hospitality, and I wouldn't recommend the place.

The rooms were far too small, the fridge didn't work, and the bed was so uncomfortable it left our backs hurting. Pool and fitness facilities closed much earlier than expected, apparently so staff could go home. The online photos don't match how the hotel actually looks, and staff couldn't speak English. I made this account just to warn non-Turkish visitors. Definitely not a four-star hotel, and I don't recommend it.

Breakfast came with the stay, which was a nice touch. The hotel itself is decent, nothing fancy. I had a smoking room and it smelled of cigarettes, though that didn't bother me.

I wouldn't recommend this hotel, and I still don't understand why we were turned away. On 19 July 2021, around 14:30, I took a taxi to Aydinoglu hotel in Idealtepe, Istanbul, after calling ahead and being told I could come. I only wanted to swim. At reception, a woman said I couldn't swim because I hadn't brought a lady. When I asked why, BURCU rudely cut in. I kept quiet and asked a Turkish friend to speak with them, but BURCU was still rude and they made no effort to help. Their focus was on keeping us out. No one there spoke English or French, and the receptionist showed no courtesy. I've worked for a The Ritz Carlton, so I know how clients should be treated. I wondered if being African was the problem, since rejection was all I saw while I waited. Atatürk helped emancipate women in Turkey, which made their demand that I bring a woman to swim seem even stranger. How did this hotel get a five-star rating? After that experience, I don't recommend it. Zero stars.