A great choice for an Istanbul vacation!
For this vacation, we chose the DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Piyalepasa, located on Piyalepasa Bulvari. It's about a 25-minute walk to Taksim Square. While there's a free shuttle, it doesn't run very often.
The hotel is conveniently located, allowing easy access to both Taksim Square and the Old City. The interior is very modern, and the green, Turkish-style shower is a unique touch. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the warm welcome at the front desk. The check-in process was quick and efficient, reflecting professionalism and attentiveness.
Although our room wasn't large, it was clean, and the bed was big and comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep. The room was well-equipped, with complimentary tea, coffee, and cups, a thoughtful touch. The only downsides were the poor sound insulation, allowing noise from the corridor and street to filter in, and some small holes in the curtains, which detracted from the overall impression.
The hotel breakfast was excellent, with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread, providing a great start to each day. While the selection didn't change, the quality was consistently high. The hotel also has a small swimming pool and spa, perfect for relaxing after a long day. We dined at the MONTE Restaurant on the top floor, which boasts stunning views. However, the food didn't quite meet our expectations, so we recommend exploring other restaurants in the area.
Some good restaurants nearby include Skyline Soiree Rooftop Restaurant and Havana Bar & Restaurant, both within easy reach of the hotel. We also enjoyed Mivan Restaurant & Cafe and Gulhane Sark Sofrası, which serves authentic Turkish cuisine.
Overall, we had a great experience. The hotel's location is slightly out of the way, with limited dining options nearby, occasionally requiring a taxi ride. However, this is a minor inconvenience. While we might consider other hotels for our next visit to Istanbul, the DoubleTree by Hilton is definitely a place we'd happily return to.
Our stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Piyalepasa made our Istanbul vacation truly memorable. We hope you'll find your own special moments here, too!