DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul - Piyalepasa — Hotel in Beyoğlu

The breakfast was very nice, there is good service especially Nisa, Kübra and Emily with their nice friendly and smily service. Unfortunately the experience in the reception was a huge disappointment. I don’t like to write bad reviews but it’s been such a fiasco that I really feel the need to complain. Tomorrow morning we will ask for a complaint form in addition to this review. We checked in and the bitter faced person who attended us started by saying that we didn’t have breakfast included. Fortunately we did the reservation the night before and knew perfectly well that we did. She didn’t apologize in any moment, and went to say furthermore that she would check and confirm later on, after being handed our reservation where in clearly said Brkf included. Her lack of education and professionalism really upset us and surprised us. We had just come back from a long day in the bazaar where even the pushy vendors spoke better English and more importantly showed more sympathy and education. We were given a room that stank of tobacco. In no occasion did we ask for a smoking room, so back down again to complain. I was handed a key, I looked at her waiting for her to speak but she didn’t even say the room number, so I looked at the card that said 223 and asked if that was our room number. She asserted nodding her head, we have a travelled quite a lot and never seen anything like it. I find it funny eventhough I suffered it that such a person was given a position that faces the public. It’s not easy to fail something so easy as to smile to your guests and to explain the breakfast hours and so on. No breakfast explanation, no explanation of the hotels installations, pool, spa, nothing whatsoever. We never have any interest in speaking to bitter faced people so we left without asking. We complained on our way to the elevator and all the way from her desk she said out loud “no problem no problem” I don’t quite understand what she meant by that, if do not create a problem or don’t make a problem. We never want to create a problem and if she was saying all the way from her desk to us near the elevator that their was no problem then I’m sorry to tell you YES THERE WAS A PROBLEM as you can read. And wow don’t tell me to calm down when I have almost just been thrown the keys at my face at what is supposed to be a 5 star hotel. The other two clerks seemed even to take her side, kind of like ganging up with her to our surprise. No manager in sight among them they behaved very unprofessionally. Shocking, embarrassing.

I don’t know why we thought the dinner would be better. We ordered room service after a long day we didn’t feel like dressing up and going out. I called around 10:30 and last time I checked before the food came it was 11:45. We ordered a quinoa salad and a mixed meet plate, I explicitly told them to bring some olive oil or dressing and salt for the salad and ice for the water. Too many things for him to remember I should have imagined. I called right away for some olive oil and would you believe he asked for extra charge! They then brought a small recipient with some sort of olive oil. No idea at first if it was cooking oil or gasoline by the looks of it. They could have brought some blister or the bottle itself and taken it back with them if scared we would use up their oil but no. Of course all the different meat on the mix grill platter was already cold but in any case even warm it would not have been much better, dry and tasteless. The quinoa salad was nothing special to say the best.. i kept the meat for some dogs tomorrow, a rather expensive doggy bag and a BIG BIG disappointment in this particular Hilton. Avoid room service and avoid the desk clerk, not sure if that’s possible at a hotel but Stay Away. It’s now 1:02 in the morning and instead of enjoying my vacation Im wasting my...

5/5 Stars: A Truly Memorable Stay

My family and I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Piyalepasa from the 11th to the 18th of December, 2024, and we had an absolutely amazing time. The hotel provided a serene and calming environment, perfect for relaxing and recharging after our action-packed days exploring Istanbul.

The lobby was beautifully decorated, complete with a stunning Christmas tree that became the backdrop for many family photos. The rooms were of an excellent standard—comfortable beds, well-equipped bathrooms with plenty of amenities, and TVs with a wide selection of channels for family entertainment. Room service was exceptional, and the staff were always attentive and eager to assist. After our first night, we requested our family rooms to be adjacent (as there was a room between us), and the hotel accommodated this seamlessly.

One of the most beautiful aspects of our stay was the hotel’s proximity to a nearby mosque. Hearing the Adhaan (call to prayer) every day provided a sense of peace and serenity that made our experience in Istanbul even more special.

I’d like to extend special thanks to some incredible staff members who went above and beyond to make our stay truly memorable.

Firstly, a heartfelt thanks to Duty Manager Servet, who made our time in Istanbul unforgettable. His local knowledge and exceptional hospitality showcased the best of Turkish culture and left a lasting impression on us. Servet’s recommendations for shopping and dining saved us both time and money while giving us an authentic Turkish experience. He steered us away from tourist traps and introduced us to Istanbul’s true hidden gems. His kindness extended beyond recommendations—he arranged complimentary transport to restaurants and even sent fruit platters to our rooms in the evenings. These thoughtful gestures truly elevated our stay and made us feel at home.

We also want to thank Chan, who made our mornings special by ensuring we had the freshest breakfast and helping us plan our daily journeys. His guidance on the best routes and transport options was invaluable. Every staff member we encountered was courteous, professional, and dedicated to making our stay exceptional.

The hotel’s facilities were top-notch. The spa, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and Hammam provided the perfect way to relax after a busy day. The gym, open 24/7, was well-equipped and never crowded during our stay.

The hotel’s location was ideal. Just a 10-minute drive from Taksim Square, it offered easy access to the city’s main attractions. The free hourly shuttle service to and from Taksim Square was a convenient bonus. The hotel is also situated on a bustling main road with excellent restaurants and shops nearby. One standout was The Local Grill by Dogan Chef, where we enjoyed an unforgettable meal—especially the Cherry Kebap, which was truly out of this world! (Thank you, Servet, for this excellent recommendation!)

Overall, our experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton Piyalepasa was nothing short of amazing. We’re incredibly grateful to the staff for making our stay in Istanbul so special and can’t wait to return in the future!

Kind Regards, Humeira, Ikram,...

My PERSONAL HONEST Review of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Istanbul – Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Türkiye

I recently had an extremely disturbing experience at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. As a traveler who is not Turkish or white, I was subjected to outright racism from the hotel staff, particularly from the management, and I feel it’s important to share my experience as a warning to others.

From the very beginning of my stay, I was treated unfairly and disrespectfully. I was locked out of my room without explanation, and when I tried to resolve the issue, the staff ignored my calls from the room phone. They even refused to allow me entry into the breakfast room, making me feel completely unwelcome. On multiple occasions, I requested help with my luggage, but my requests were either ignored or dismissed. It was clear that I was being treated differently simply because of my skin color.

The most shocking part of my experience was when I was subjected to openly racist behavior by the management. The manager on duty not only refused to assist me but also went so far as to snatch my phone, money, and bag out of my hand when I began recording the appalling treatment I was receiving. He even had the audacity to laugh in my face telling me to "go ahead and call the police" and that "nobody likes Black people here." It was horrifying and humiliating.

Throughout my stay, my room was never cleaned, despite repeatedly putting up the "make up my room" sign. I was forced to switch between the two beds in my room simply because housekeeping never attended to it.

This experience was not only dehumanizing but deeply unsettling. I felt unsafe, unwelcome, and constantly belittled. It’s clear that this hotel is not a safe or hospitable place for anyone who isn’t Turkish or white, If you’re considering staying here and fall outside of those categories, think again. The management’s behavior was blatantly racist, and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. It is one of the most toxic, unfriendly, and unsafe places I have ever stayed.

As a frequent traveler, I’ve never experienced such extreme racism at a hotel, and I hope this review serves as a warning to others. Hilton should be ashamed to have their name associated with...