Elite World Grand İstanbul Basın Ekspres — Hotel in Küçükçekmece

5 nights in 4 rooms. 1st room was so dusty, bath with dirt in it I asked to change. From 3dr floor I went to 8th. Here is spent 2 nights after I complained about the heat 28 degrees in the room (where window doesn’t open) I was moved to my 3rd room on the 10th floor. There is was better but unfortunately it’s a smokers floor and in my room there was always presence of cigarette smoke that came from the vents. If you’re not a smoker avoid that floor. If you are a smoker, I do wonder why you would pollute the air you sleep in. When I complained they said they can move me but I refused as didn’t want to move the room for the 4th time. The next day my room flooded due to burst pipe and I got moved again. I didn’t get moved far, just couple door down. This room had a broken window, it wouldn’t stay open, room was infused with tobacco smoke in the wallpaper. I called, I complained, they sent up some to fix the window and to spray some air freshener (later window closed on its own again and stanch came back). Later I discovered, there was no shower gel or shampoo, the bottles were empty. I also later discovered couple of empty water bottles under the bed, greasy handprints on the door. Every single room I stayed in had some sort of issue that couldn’t be ignored. They definitely are not cleaning their rooms thoroughly.|The biggest issue I would say, was the temperature. The whole hotel was in heat mode and you could turn air conditioning to cool, it had only one mode. At the reception they said “it’s winter”. I believe guests should be able to adjust their own temperature in the rooms. The highest my room got to was 30 degrees and lowest with heat off and window open was 26.6 degrees. |The hotel definitely is average and not elite. The carpet on the floors was patched up and the colours didn’t match in every single rooms I stayed, curtains had cigarette burns and stains, some furniture was broken or wobbly. Every time I called for room service, at the other end of the phone there was an annoyed sigh. |Of course there are positives things as well. The bathroom was amazing with a spacious shower, rooms were spacious themselves, the breakfast was just amazing, with lots of choices. I also used the gym and pool. Gym is very simple but pool is a nice size with a jacuzzi.|Oh and for some weird reason all mini...

I was very excited to end my 2 week stay in Turkey at this hotel, but sometimes luxury doesn't always mean it's nice.

We arrived a little early, and the receptionist told us to wait in the cafe near the pool and that she would come get us if a room opened up. That was fair enough and we didn't mind at all, but then she actually ended up forgetting about us. And then while I was waiting to check up on our room, 2 people cut in line and the receptionist helped them. Then a bellhop guy came to talk to this woman standing behind me and brought her up to the line. That's when i had and asked where is the line since no one knows what that is here. I waited about 25 minutes in that line, and when i went to a different one prior to this, the lady had an attitude and seemed judgy because i had jeans and t-shirt on rather than a lavish outfit like most women who checked in.

They did not have the free shuttle to shops/plazas as advertised.

The room has mold on the grout in the bathroom. The carpets are stained and dirty. There were a few dead bugs on the sides of the floor, and the chair smelled musky like someone sweaty took a long nap on it. Other than that, it was comfortable.

Eating at the restaurant, the waitress kept forgetting to bring a few things, but the food was good.

I jumped in the humongous outside pool at 7pm only to have an employee tell me to get out because the pool closed at 6pm...not even sunset yet.

Lastly, the service here is very poor, especially if you're American because I haven't heard or seen any yet. The staff does not acknowledge or greet you here. No one says welcome or hello. They definitely take good care of their own people though. One thing I like about U.S. though is that they will tell anyone straight up to get in the back of the line, none of that favoritism ish.

If you're from U.S. I suggest skipping this hotel, although the look and price of it may be tempting, and book somewhere in old town Istanbul or stick to the American brand hotels. You'll probably get a more welcoming...

Exceptional Stay at Elite World Grand İstanbul-Basın Ekspres!

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Elite World Grand İstanbul-Basın Ekspres for five nights, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by how well-maintained and stunning the hotel is—despite being open for several years, it still looks immaculate.

The facilities are top-notch, particularly the restaurant, bar, and the incredible swimming pool & spa services—pure relaxation at its finest! However, what truly sets this hotel apart is its exceptional staff, who go above and beyond to ensure a seamless and enjoyable stay.

A special mention to Assistant Front of House Manager Çağla, who was incredibly professional, friendly, and efficient—she swiftly arranged my check-in and even printed my boarding passes without hesitation. Receptionist Melek was always smiling and welcoming, consistently going the extra mile to make guests feel special. I’ll never forget the thoughtful fresh tea service at 2:30 AM—a small but meaningful touch!

The bellboy Mehmet Ali was outstanding, always available to arrange taxis or minibuses at any time of the day, making transportation effortless. A visit to the 23rd floor bar is a must—Timur, the barman, is an absolute delight and guarantees a great laugh. At dinner, Sena provided excellent service, while Hülya at breakfast was incredibly hands-on and welcoming, making mornings even more enjoyable.

And finally, a huge thank you to Alper, the Duty Manager—the man who runs the show with his eyes closed! His leadership and dedication to top-tier service truly reflect in every aspect of the hotel.

I couldn’t recommend Elite World Grand İstanbul-Basın Ekspres more highly. It was a five-star experience in every way, and I’m already looking forward to my next stay in two months! Thank you to the entire team for making my...