Istanbul travel agent warning
 

Having recently had the misfortune to stay at Side Pension close to the Four Seasons and to also unfortunately meet Mustafa Dogan from Commodore Tours, I felt compelled to warn others of the tribulations of dealing with either or both establishments. Firstly the Side Pension is owned by the rudest, most obnoxious Turk we have met. At first the owner was nice and as one would expect, hospitality minded. After four days when we broached the subject of an early breakfast, we were spoken to rudely and treated with a discourteous attitude. A past guest told us later he was experiencing personal problems but no excuse could be offered for the rudeness we were exposed to. On our arrival, we were shephered into Commodore Tours next door to the Side and a most charming Australian/Turk proceeded to organise a tour for us with no obligation. The price was good so we took a 7 day trip and decided to do the other 14 days ourselves. Well we paid for 3-4 star hotels and the first night we got a backpacker dive-dirty floor and linen-a nightmare and all this for US40 per night!It just got worse! The bus timetables we were given were incorrect-our bus and air tickets were not given to us-Mustafa disappeared and we were left with one of the staff who proceeded to give us a excel spreadsheet crudely typed out. Others we met along the way did not have an itinerary!!Commodore Tours is a total rip-off venture and Side Pension has an undeserved reputation for hospitality. AVOID BOTH!

Sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience at the side pension. My wife and I spent 18 wonderful days in Turkey 2002 just after 9/11 and our experience in the Side Hotel was nothing like yours. Maybe it was the fact that we paid a couple of $ more to be in the hotel but of course this would not be an excuse for the rudness you apparently encountered. I would hope your post does not turn other travellers away from the Side - the price is right, food quite good and we found the management to be very hospitable.

I was really surprised to read your post as i have stayed at the Side Pension and have nothing but good things to say about it. This was in 1999 and I am wondering if they have changed owners ? When I was there, the owners were really kind and helpful, and there was no one there trying to sell you any tours or anything. I hope your experience was an isolated incident...

Take it for what it is worth since there are ALWAYS two sides to every story.

In this case two SIDEs :)

Singletail you are quite correct-there are always two sides to every story-the facts and the spin! I happen to know one from the other, fortunately.

I'm very sorry that you had such an unfortunate experience and hopefully after all is said and done and spun you feel better about it.

Just so my motive for posting here is understood - it's not to feel better-it's to let others know about shonky operators out there. Why should they have good reputations when they don't deserve them? This forum is for the good stuff and the bad stuff as we all are aware. Comments about another side to the story simply means some are maybe unable to accept that what happened to us is the truth and a valid experience. I won't feel better until Commodore Tours & the Side Pensione apologise to us for their unacceptable behaviour. I doubt they will but I will continue to post my esxperiences-good and bad. Hope all your travel experiences are perfect in every way!

Felt sorry for your experience. I hope its one off but still does not ease the pain. Sorry to hear your comments. Perhaps better you write them individually. Anyway Travel Agencies bounded by Tursab and I am sure they will listen to you if you do not hear anything back from the agency.

Hope you sort your things out

Lyndie: Having once had a horrible experience at a 5-star hotel, I can certainly sympathize with anyone who has such a terrible time.

However, and maybe I am reading this wrong, what did you expect for $40 a night when you stayed at the backpacking place?

Gual: Fourty a night can easily get you a clean, safe room almost anywhere in Turkey. Lyndie got ripped off.

Hi gual- I expected clean, basic amenities and a little hospitality! Not hard to define, just difficult to find! Even at five star places! Lucky you affording five star-sometimes I indulge, however I choose to travel 9 months of the year so five star is once a week for me! Hope you're not ripped off again!