Extroidinary Customer Service at Four Seasons - Istanbul
by TripAdvisor Member elz1
We stayed at the Four Season, Istanbul after coming off a 7 days Greek/Isles/Turkey cruise. We arrived very early in the morning and they had to store our luggage unitl our room would be ready in the early afternoon. When our luggage came up to our room, the handle on one of the pieces was broken. My husband immediately called to the front desk and they came up to our room quickly to be of assistance. They offered to buy us a replacement piece as well as ship our broken piece home,(we had a life time warranty so we wanted it back). This was on a Saturday. That afternoon they had replacement piece in our room but it was smaller than the piece that was broken and would not fit all our stuff. They again offered to replace it but said it might be difficult to have it before Monday when we were checking out because stores would be closed on Sunday. Well, on Sunday afternoon they had found another suitcase, this one was bigger than the broken one. In addition, our broken suitcase arrived home before we did from Europe. Now I call that good customer service. They also drove us several places in their BMW car service when we went out and it was very hot outside.
Loved the location, the Sunday brunch was phenominal.
We had friends that stayed at Ciragan Palace, which is beautiful but not convenient for sightseeing the major sites of Istanbul. They wish they had chosen the 4 Seasons
One of the best!
by TripAdvisor Member Ngonghills
We just got back from staying at the Four Seasons Istanbul. Not only is this former prison a beautiful hotel, the staff couldn't be nicer or more helpful. The roof top decks have stunning views of the Haghia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the sea. We requested one of the few rooms with a balcony and got it. It was wonderful standing out there in the evening listening to the prayer calls and seeing the Blue Mosque in the distance. We look forward to going back to Istanbul and will definitely stay at the Four Seasons again. It's worth every penny.
Fab-U-Lous
by TripAdvisor Member Gregdu
We stayed here for 4 nights this July '06. From the welcome greeting, "we've been expecting you Mr. XXX (how did they know my name?)," to the twice a day fruit and ice bucket refills in your room, to the turndown service, to the lovely roof bar, to the exceptional concierge staff, I just was blown away. It needs to be said that we arrived on foot (stayed 1 night in another hotel before coming here), walked up to the door with a weeks worth of shopping bags and wheelie luggage, wearing t-shirts, shorts and sneakers. We did not arrive in typical FS glam fashion, and we're treated like we had.
Outside of the Peninsula Bangkok (my benchmark for 'best' hotel ever), this was just about the best place we've ever stayed, and worth every penny we paid.
The location is perfect for visiting all the touristic sites of Sultanhamet, and a welcome retreat for when you are tired of being asked, "where are you from? would you come into my shop?" There isn't a lot of good dining in this area, however, so our concierge recommended places for us each nite that were exactly suited to our sensibilities--they had a marvelous way of being able to figure out what you'd like, and had taxi's waiting for us at designated times (taxis are outrageously cheap before midnight, by the way; after midnight the fare doubles).
We've stayed at the Four Seasons in NYC, and while lovely, its quite a large property, and very hustly-bustly, so you feel just as one of the millions walking through the door. At the Four Seasons Istanbul, its different. There are just over 60 rooms, so there is rarely a crowd anywhere, and most times its just you and one or two other tables on the terrace. Staff recognize you and are extremely welcoming and friendly. I've stayed at some nice places, but I've never seen anything like this. The staff are also empowered to "make it right" if something is amiss. For example, I wanted a cigar one evening and they were all out, except for 1 'remnant'. They gave it to me free (it was cuban, so that's $35), and also arranged to have more in stock the following day, and gave me another one free on that day. No one had to ask permission to do this, and I wasn't expecting it, it was just done.
We had a "superior" room (just one eensy level above the cheapest room), and it was wonderful. Sure, I'd love to have the two-level suites with their own private terrace, but I'm not a millionaire. The room has all the things you'd expect for a luxury hotel, and was spotless. Service in the hotel was disney-like. You never saw anyone actually cleaning nor maid carts in the hallways. Everything just was magically "done." On the rare event that you came across a staff person adjusting something or holding some cleaning implement, they immediately stopped what they were doing, turned to greet you and pretended like they were doing something else.
We considered this hotel our "home" oasis from the hot, chaotic city, and each time we walked up to the door, we were greeted by a familiar face saying, "welcome back, I hope you've enjoyed your day."
If you can't bring yourself to stay here for whatever reason, do come to the rooftop terrace bar and have a drink or a light meal... the bar has a magnificent view of the water in one direction, the Aya Sofya in another, and the spires/minarets of the Blue Mosque in another. Add a cocktail, the sunset, delightful staff, and some quiet music, and this is the stuff of dreams. Many times people would appear on the terrace just to take a photo and then leave. Just sit yourself down and have a drink and relax for a half-hour...we spent 2 hours there every evening before dinner!
Stay here and enjoy yourself.
Convenient Luxury
by TripAdvisor Member winetripper
We stayed 4 nights at the Four Seasons in the 3rd week of March. The hotel lived up to most of our expectations, from excellent rooms and service to overpriced food and drinks. First, the hotel cut us a little deal on price, which was nice (a "partial" upgrade). The deluxe rooms on the 4th floor are excellent, and the only ones with much of a view of the Blue Mosque or Ayasofia.
The pros: excellent facility, quiet interiors, generous rooms, attentive staff, good concierge recommendations, free internet and especially convenient location. By far the best place to stay in Sultanhamet. Very close to Topkapi, Ayasofia and the Blue Mosque.
The cons: adjoining room conversations can be heard, no rooftop restaurant or bar, noisy ventilation fan outside, and egregiously overpriced breakfast and drinks. Also, we tried a simple lunch and were quite disappointed with the food (blah hamburger, very old lettuce). Just ask for a restaurant recommendation outside the hotel - they will send to one of many good spots.
Forum Posts
best location hotel
by annalise
Hi , Does anyone know the Royal hotel and the Ascok hotels Istanbul which is the better hotel and which is in the better location.
Re: best location hotel
by beatle74
I don't know those hotels but if you can write me down their addreses, I might tell you which one is better.
Re: Re: best location hotel
by beatle74
I am talking about the location of the hotels. Cause istanbul is a big city and you would prefer to stay close to what you want to see...
Re: Re: best location hotel
by annalise
Hi The royal hotel is Aksaray cad Laleli the Ascok hotel is Istatyou arka Sirkeci do you know these areas
thanks annalise
Re: Re: best location hotel
by beatle74
For me Sirkeci is a better location....closer to the hot places and better surrondings.
Just ask me if you have any further questions...
Re: Re: best location hotel
by annalise
thankyou so much for your advice.it is so much better to hear it from local person, tesekkur ederim.
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Comments (1)
Nice hotel..