If a Hyatt in Istanbul makes us happy, imagine two Hyatt!
Well, so it was our stay in Istanbul, completely left in the hands of the Hyatt Hotels group, this time, in a more experienced brother, more mature and old, the Grand Hyatt.
This luxurious business hotel (mainly) is located in the beating heart of the modern Istanbul, between the Bosphorus and the Taskim square, surrounded by many other big international hotel groups. It is a much more dynamic and commercial area, opposed to the location of its younger brother, Hyatt Regency.
First Impression
A hotel full of movement, the typical entrance of a business hotel, lots of confusion, lots of people, running, probably from all the congresses happening at the time.
Very efficient check-in, and despite all the confusion everything seemed to work in full harmony, mostly because a great part of the groups we observed were almost always accompanied by elements of the hotel’s staff.
The Grand Hyatt, with 21 years of existence, remains a milestone among the hotels in town. On the outside, an imposing building with a main entrance that goes with a security protocol worthy of kings and queens, this protocol is due to the location of the hotel, in Taskim, stage of previous not so peaceful demonstrations. On the inside, a modern decoration style with some more traditional details.
After this first contact with the busy lobby that reminded me a lot of the Intercontinental Bangkok (similar in the agitation), we were accompanied to our room.
Bedrooms
There are exactly 360 bedrooms in this huge hotel!
These are divided in four types, from the Standard to the Suite, the Deluxe and the Grand Club. We stayed in a Standard room with view to the pool area. The bedroom is cozy, in a style between the classic and the contemporary, the bathroom is wonderful, I could bring it home with me, big bathtub next to a great mirror fixated to the wall, creating a comforting atmosphere.
Grilled Octopus
Restaurants/Bars
The Grand Hyatt has five different gastronomic spaces, the 34, the Mezzanine Lounge & Bar, the Library Bar, the Gazebo and the Japanese Hori.
We had the chance to try almost all of them.
34 was the place where we made all the meals of the day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. With the Italian Chef Fabio Brambilla in charge, the cuisine travels through the Mediterranean, between the Italian cuisine and the Turkish traditions, from the most traditional pasta dishes to the most purist kebabs, with an excellent seal of quality and personality, many times lost in this type of Hotel restaurant.
The Mezzanine Lounge & Bar was where we relaxed and enjoyed an excellent cocktail after an intense day walking around the city.
The Library Bar is located right in the lobby and is an exclusive place with whisky and cognac, wines and champagnes, and it has a refined atmosphere to the style of an English gentleman’s club.
Pasta with pesto and zucchini
As to the Gazebo, this is the bar and restaurant of the pool, no doubt it must make the delights of the guests during summer, too bad we stayed at the Grand Hyatt in February!
Last but not least, Hori is a traditional Japanese restaurant, which brings all the surroundings of a true Sushi restaurant to Istanbul.
I can’t fail to mention and highlight the breakfast with a huge variety of produce and able to satisfy all the visitors, from the locals to the Asians and Europeans, a true produce, colors and flavors feast.
Gaia Spa
Services
Besides the usual services of a 5 star, like the room service 24h/day and concierge, the Grand Hyatt has a beautiful Spa, the Gaia Spa where we enjoyed a true Turkish bath, or Hamam, quite different from what we call a Turkish bath in Portugal, a beautiful room with hot vapor, without the usual excess and quite to the Roman style, once its origins are precisely these, it only differs in the absence of the cold water tank, we had 30 minutes of pure relaxation and wonders to my skin.
To those who prefer the usual, it also has a sauna and the basic Turkish bath.
There is also a fitness center and a tennis court for the most active.
The pool is beautiful and one of the hotel’s highlights, unfortunately we didn’t had the chance to enjoy it, given the winter weather!
As expected, the hotel is properly prepared for business trips and different events, besides it is one of the most chosen hotels to the most diverse congresses, presenting a total of 19 rooms designed for that, and highly prepared with all the comfort and sophistication needed.
Apart from these internal activities, the hotel also prepares us, if we desire, a combination of activities to do outside, like visiting different areas in the city, or simply go shopping.
Service
What to say about another success of the Hyatt group?
Attention, dedication, interest, gaiety, excellent hotel training, and once again, a group of excellent professionals assuring a perfect stay.
I bow to this great hotel group!
Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Rooms from 180€
Taskisla Caddesi, Taksim – Istanbul
+90 212 368 1234
istanbul.grand@hyatt.com
Text: Cíntia Oliveira | Photos: Flavors & Senses and Grand Hyatt Istanbul
