DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Topkapi

Senez, the manager, deserves special thanks for being so cooperative and helping me so much when my bag went missing. His support made a stressful situation much easier. The reception team, Talha, Ali, Iraol, and Eren, also gave us a warm welcome and professional help. Supervisors Zineb and Bulut were kind and supportive. I stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Topkapi with my family for two days, and it was a lovely visit. The hotel was comfortable, and service was excellent throughout. The team made it a pleasant, memorable stay, and I’ll choose it again on my next visit.

The staff were very nice, and when we raised concerns they quickly offered free breakfast and other things, including late checkout. I can see they’re in a difficult position when other guests make the same complaint. But these offers didn’t make up for all the time and money we spent taking taxis just to reach a local shop. The location was the main problem. The hotel is in the middle of an industrial area, surrounded by factories and with no shops or much else nearby. The advertised sea view was actually of a cemetery, with the sea so far off you could barely see it. You can find a glimpse of the sea anywhere in Istanbul if you climb high enough and look hard enough. I’d avoid this hotel. The rooms and bathrooms are decent, as you’d expect from a Hilton, but the services were very basic. Breakfast was a simple Turkish menu, and they should provide for foreign guests, since locals don’t stay here. A continental breakfast is a must. I’ll stress again that the staff were nice. I guess Japanese guests don’t complain because they’re too polite and don’t know better.

The hotel met and even surpassed what we expected for cleanliness, comfort, and service. Uğur and Emir at reception made the visit especially pleasant. Even during a busy spell, they were quick to help and deal with requests, and stayed friendly, professional, and focused on solutions from check-in right through checkout. Their manner made us feel valued.

There were not many convenient places nearby to visit in the evening, and my room looked out over a cemetery, which might bother some people. Even so, I had a pleasant stay. The room was clean, spacious, and comfortable, and the facilities were good, especially the pool and gym. Breakfast offered a fairly diverse range of choices. The staff were warm, attentive, and willing to help, which made the stay welcoming. It’s a good hotel with solid facilities and helpful staff, though the area and the view won’t suit everyone.