Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa
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Summary of reviewsGülhanepark Hotel & Spa enjoys widespread acclaim for its exceptional location, nestled in the heart of Istanbul's old town. Guests consistently praise its proximity to major attractions like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, all within comfortable walking distance. Additionally, robust transport connections make it easy to explore the city. The serene setting near Gülhane Park offers a tranquil retreat while still being central. The hotel is lauded for its cleanliness, safety and attentive staff, making it an ideal base for exploring Istanbul's rich heritage.
The breakfast, though receiving mixed reviews, is often praised for its variety, deliciousness and the lovely rooftop setting with impressive views. However, there are some criticisms about monotony and quality, indicating room for improvement. The dinner experience stands out for its authentic Turkish cuisine and live music on the rooftop restaurant, creating a unique and enjoyable atmosphere, despite some guests finding the prices steep.
Rooms at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa are generally appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness with some offering beautiful views of the Bosphorus or Gülhane Park. Daily cleaning and the helpful staff are frequently highlighted. However, some guests have noted smaller room sizes, outdated décor and occasional maintenance issues.
Cleanliness is praised overall, although there are occasional reports of issues like dirty towels and mold. The staff are highly regarded for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to guest satisfaction. Individuals like Zeki, Aziz and Mevlut are specifically commended for their excellent service.
Wi-Fi at the hotel presents a mixed experience with some guests finding it fast and reliable, while others report intermittent connections and weak signals, particularly in certain areas of the hotel. The spa is seen as a highlight by many, especially the Turkish bath, though there are complaints about additional charges and some maintenance concerns.
The gym receives mixed reviews with some guests noting outdated equipment and cleanliness issues, while others found it spacious and meeting basic workout needs. Parking facilities also receive varied feedback, offering convenience and affordability but also encountering issues such as construction site stains and limited spots.
Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa is highly recommended for its prime location, clean and comfortable rooms, friendly staff and enjoyable dining experiences, although some areas like breakfast variety, Wi-Fi, the gym and spa facilities may benefit from further improvements.
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The breakfast, though receiving mixed reviews, is often praised for its variety, deliciousness and the lovely rooftop setting with impressive views. However, there are some criticisms about monotony and quality, indicating room for improvement. The dinner experience stands out for its authentic Turkish cuisine and live music on the rooftop restaurant, creating a unique and enjoyable atmosphere, despite some guests finding the prices steep.
Rooms at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa are generally appreciated for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness with some offering beautiful views of the Bosphorus or Gülhane Park. Daily cleaning and the helpful staff are frequently highlighted. However, some guests have noted smaller room sizes, outdated décor and occasional maintenance issues.
Cleanliness is praised overall, although there are occasional reports of issues like dirty towels and mold. The staff are highly regarded for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to guest satisfaction. Individuals like Zeki, Aziz and Mevlut are specifically commended for their excellent service.
Wi-Fi at the hotel presents a mixed experience with some guests finding it fast and reliable, while others report intermittent connections and weak signals, particularly in certain areas of the hotel. The spa is seen as a highlight by many, especially the Turkish bath, though there are complaints about additional charges and some maintenance concerns.
The gym receives mixed reviews with some guests noting outdated equipment and cleanliness issues, while others found it spacious and meeting basic workout needs. Parking facilities also receive varied feedback, offering convenience and affordability but also encountering issues such as construction site stains and limited spots.
Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa is highly recommended for its prime location, clean and comfortable rooms, friendly staff and enjoyable dining experiences, although some areas like breakfast variety, Wi-Fi, the gym and spa facilities may benefit from further improvements.
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel with Spa
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
EV charging stations
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
4-Star Hotel
About Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa
License: 2022-34-1880
Guest Reviews
Location
Transport connections are robust with tram, metro and ferry stations just minutes away, facilitating hassle-free journeys across the city. The vibrant district around the hotel is dotted with a myriad of restaurants, quaint cafes, bustling markets and shops, providing ample options for dining and leisure.
In addition to its premier spot, the hotel receives accolades for its cleanliness, safety and the friendliness of its staff. The serene setting, away from the noisy streets yet still centrally located, offers a perfect retreat after a day of sightseeing. Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa stands out as an ideal base for visitors looking to immerse themselves in the historic and cultural splendor of Istanbul.
Breakfast
However, there are also notable criticisms about the breakfast. Several guests found the breakfast to be monotonous and lacking in variety with the same options served every day. There were mentions of minimalistic offerings, poor quality of some items like coffee and bread and insufficient sweet options. Some reviews suggest that the breakfast did not meet the standards expected from a 4-star hotel, describing it as basic or below expectations. Issues with freshness and presentation were also pointed out by some guests, indicating room for improvement.
In summary, while the breakfast at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa is appreciated by many for its variety and regional flavors, consistency and quality seem to be areas needing enhancement to better satisfy all guests.
Dinner
While some guests noted that prices can be steep, particularly when compared to other dining options in the area, others found the prices reasonable. The buffet is varied and satisfactory, providing a range of options to please different palates. Despite some critiques about limited dinner selections and average meals, the rooftop dining experience stands out for many guests, particularly during special occasions such as the New Year's Eve celebration.
However, there seems to be some confusion about dining options, as statements about no on-site dining conflict with the praise for the rooftop restaurant. Regardless, the nearby attractions like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar add to the overall appeal of staying at the hotel. For those who appreciate good food in a serene setting with an impressive view, the rooftop dining at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa is a noteworthy choice.
Rooms
However, numerous reviews highlight that some rooms are smaller than expected, even when booking superior or family rooms and occasional issues with outdated decor and worn-out furniture. Soundproofing appears to be a common concern with noise from neighboring rooms and ongoing construction outside affecting the stay quality. Some rooms had minor maintenance issues like broken sockets, non-functional fridges and water drainage problems in bathrooms.
A few guests reported unpleasant smells, ranging from musty air conditioning to sewage and cigarette odors. Views from the rooms were occasionally disappointing, often overlooking construction sites rather than scenic surroundings. Despite these issues, the majority of guests found the beds comfortable and the rooms well-equipped with necessary facilities like kettles, mini-bars and Wi-Fi.
Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa offers a central location with clean and comfortable rooms, but potential guests should be aware of variability in room quality and size.
Beds
Certain aspects of the bedding, such as mattresses and bed sizes, have also received positive mentions. Some guests appreciated the provision of king-size and queen-size beds and comfortable mattresses were noted by a good number of guests. Families seemed to benefit from the availability of a large main bed with extra beds for children being provided in some rooms and a sufficient number of beds overall.
However, there are a few recurring issues highlighted by guests. The hardness of the mattresses was a sticking point for some with a significant number finding the beds either too firm or simply uncomfortable. The size of the beds was also criticized with some reviews mentioning them as small or inadequate for comfort. Bedding quality varied greatly with some guests encountering thin and cheap sheets, stained linens and dirty pillows. This inconsistency in cleanliness and quality does detract from the overall positive impression of comfortable beds.
In summary, while many guests find the beds at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa to be comfortable and conducive to good sleep, there are notable inconsistencies in bed quality and cleanliness that could affect the overall satisfaction of guests.
Cleanliness
However, there are notable exceptions. Some guests complained about issues such as dirty towels and bed linens, mold in the bathrooms and specific maintenance issues like a moldy shower and unpleasant smells. Instances of poor cleanliness, such as ants in rooms and fecal matter in toilets, were also reported. Despite these issues, the friendly and attentive staff often received praise and the hotel's strategic location close to public transport and city attractions is highlighted as a significant advantage.
While cleanliness is generally more praised than criticized, the mixed reviews indicate room for improvement in maintaining consistent cleaning standards across all areas and addressing issues promptly to enhance the overall guest experience.
Staff
While most experiences with the staff are glowing, there are occasional mentions of negative interactions, particularly with some receptionists and waiters. A few guests mentioned that the night staff could be rude and unprofessional. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall consensus is that the staff foster a welcoming and warm atmosphere, making guests feel well cared for during their stay.
The hotel is recognized for its organizational responsiveness and proactive approach in resolving issues, which contributes significantly to guest satisfaction. Notably, employees like Ahmed, Bahar and the front desk team receive accolades for their superior customer service. Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa staff are seen as a key element in providing a positive, comfortable and enjoyable experience for their guests.
Wi-Fi
However, the majority of reviews point to significant challenges. Many guests encountered intermittent and slow connections, poor signals in certain areas and frequent disconnections. Some reported that the Wi-Fi only worked well at the reception and not in the rooms, while others mentioned weak or non-existent Wi-Fi throughout their stay. The connection quality often fluctuated, leading to frustration. It's apparent that Wi-Fi performance varies widely depending on the location within the hotel and guests staying on higher floors or in less centrally located rooms are more likely to struggle with connectivity issues.
Overall, while there are promising moments where the Wi-Fi works effectively, it generally fails to meet expectations, suggesting a need for the hotel to address these inconsistencies.
Spa
However, several guests have expressed disappointment with various aspects of the spa. There are recurring complaints about additional charges for spa access and limited free usage, typically capped at one hour. Issues such as cold water in the hammam, a neglected sauna and unavailable amenities also surfaced in reviews. Some felt misled by advertisements suggesting free access, only to find out about extra fees upon arrival.
The spa includes features like a Turkish-style bath and a small sauna, but some found the facilities lacking with mentions of non-functional equipment and cleanliness concerns. A few reviews pointed out that the spa area could benefit from improvements and better maintenance. Despite some positive highlights, it seems the experience can be inconsistent, depending largely on specific circumstances and personal expectations.
Gym
Parking
However, several reviews pointed out issues such as construction sites adjacent to parking areas, leading to cars being covered in cement stains. The parking appears somewhat modest, often described as vacant land or a gravel yard. Furthermore, some guests experienced difficulty due to narrow streets and limited parking spots. Others reported long waiting times and high charges for parking. Some areas around the hotel seem run-down and specific criticisms highlight no private parking or EV charging stations.
While there are practical and affordable parking solutions available, guests might encounter certain inconveniences, indicating a need to manage expectations and plan accordingly.
Family
Guests appreciated the provisions for young children, such as kids cots and spaces that are thoughtfully arranged. The presence of families in the hotel was respectable and the staff, particularly in catering, received praise for their amazing service.
However, there are some points of concern. Several reviews indicated issues with room size, stating that some rooms were too small for families, particularly for those with more than two children. Additionally, the hotel has faced criticism for extra charges for children and there were complaints about insufficient room soundproofing and maintenance issues like moisture and mold.
Despite these drawbacks, many families still recommended the hotel to others, highlighting the affordable prices and pleasant atmosphere. The organized trips and stylish accommodations contribute to a generally positive experience for family stays.
Nightlife
However, there have been instances of noise from neighboring rooms and occasional disturbances from the street. Despite these occasional issues, the hotel's location is ideal for those wanting accessible nightlife with plenty of opportunities to dance and enjoy drinks throughout the night. Some concerns were noted about the area's atmosphere with a few guests finding it dark and menacing and describing the hotel itself as having an old and tired image. Nonetheless, it remains a favored spot for a quiet evening cocktail and offers a vibrant nightlife experience nearby.
4 Star
The breakfast experience seems to be a recurring disappointment, falling below the standard typically expected from a four-star hotel. Some guests find it excessively simple and not reflective of the quality they anticipated. Although the bed quality is decent, other room amenities leave much to be desired and improvements are needed to reach true four-star status.
On the positive side, the pool area has been singled out as brilliant and some guests appreciated the overall quality-price ratio. However, numerous aspects, from the breakfast to the overall facility standards, suggest that calling this hotel a four-star property is highly exaggerated.
Business
The restaurant serves good food at reasonable prices, adding to the overall positive experience. The reception is highly regarded for providing fast responses and airport transfers can be arranged efficiently. Despite these positives, some areas could use improvement, such as the size of the rooms and the quality of desks provided for work. The Wi-Fi in the lobby meets the needs for meetings, making it a functional choice for solo business travelers. However, certain business-grade facilities and cleanliness standards did not meet some guests' expectations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa is a convenient option for business stays, especially for those looking for a central location.
Accessible
Apart from its accessibility, the hotel boasts a very good location close to several attractions and is easily reachable by metro, tram and on foot. The staff received commendations for being attentive and helpful with accommodations, contributing to a positive experience. The property was also highlighted as super affordable, very clean and offering great service.
However, some guests pointed out issues such as room size discrepancies, small washrooms, minor odors and no balcony. Initial navigation through the crowded one-way streets posed some difficulty, but this improved once guests became familiar with the area. Despite these minor inconveniences, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa remains a highly accessible and well-situated option for travelers with disabilities.
Romantic
No, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa doesn't have any pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa.
No, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa.
Yes, Gülhanepark Hotel & Spa has a gym.
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