Turkey-just got back
 

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I stayed at the Armada Hotel in Istanbul. I chose this hotel because it was given a star in the Fodor's Turkey 99 guide book. <BR> <BR>We were very disappointed and I really feel this hotel was misrepresented. To begin with, it was given a star rating and 4 dollar signs, the same rating as the highly acclaimed Four Seasons. When I faxed for a reservation I asked the hotel for a "nice" room with a view. They faxed me back a price of $100 which I thought too cheap(the Four Season's is about $260) but figured that it must be good or Fodors wouldn't give it such a good rating. When we arrived-early in the day, they gave us a room which I asked to see. It didn't have a view, it had cracked and peeling plaster and a window that looked out to the shanties next door with a gravel walkway beside the window that would allow anyone to crawl into the unsecured window. It was small and motel like with a depressing look to it. I said it wouldn't do, they said it was all they had and the best they could do was to move us the next day. We took the room but then after much debate decided we would rather look elsewhere. When we went downstairs they hardly questioned and never asked what was wrong with the room. Miraculously, we were put into a bigger better room that supposedly cost more. They never gave me pricing options when I faxed. On top of that, we were in Istanbul for a wedding, and there were no outlets by a mirror or even in the bathroom.(typical I know but for a hotel listed with the Four Season's I would expect more) When I inquired about a hairdresser, they said they knew of one, but didn't have the number, couldn't help me find it or call, and there weren't any phone books in the room!! I had to ask the Four Seasons for help which they did graciously, setting up an appointment for me even though I was not a guest. We asked the front desk for help calling a friend at a nearby hotel, they couldn't or wouldn't help us. The lobby, was one giant cafe-which makes it very unpleasant to wait if you feel obligated to purchase something. When we went upstairs for a drink at the bar(mentioned in the Fodor's writeup)they said we couldn't just have a drink we needed to order a meal.(The hairdresser I had from the Four Season's said they go there all the time for a drink.) It was not a place I would return to, and it is sorely misrepresented by the guidebook. I don't think the person who did the write up seems to have a clue-did they actually stay there? <BR> <BR>On the contrary, we also stayed in Turkey for a few days in Kusadasi at a place called Kismet. A wonderful, wonderful place. Kusadasi is near the ruins at Ephesus, and although the town itself is OK the hotel was extrodinary. Very, very reasonable, and luxurious. It was very private, on a penninsula of it's own-surrounded by the Agean. One side had lush gardens with tables and the other had lounge chairs with umbrellas. A huge pool with a glass enclosure that looks out over the sea. Serveral bars and servers everywhere cater to you every need. The restaurant which is outside serves wonderful food with excellent service and looks out over the Kusadasi bay with it lights at night. Breakfast was wonderful and we loved the view of the sea from our very private balcony. It was grand. It would be worth the trip just to stay there.

Cynthia, I do not think the travel writers for the books that are updated every year actually check these places out every year! The books are published every year with some changes, but the most expensive research (staying in all these places) is not done every year; hence, we get horror stories like yours. When I buy a new edition of a travel book and the majority of hotel write-ups are the same as my old edition (previous year), I take it right back and ask for a refund. I think you have to read a lot of different travel books and then pray! <BR> <BR>

We stayed at the Amada last November for a week. We were pleased with the room at a cost of $80 per night including breakfast. We did not check out Fodors book for this hotel, and if they rated it the same as the Four Seasons, which we explored, then Fodors really blew it. We felt it was a good value for the money, good location. Our first room overlooked the Sea of Marmara, but it was directly over a nightclub, very noisy and we moved to a back room with a view of the Blue Mosque. It seemed to be a popular hotel with Turkish guests.

I just got back from a month long trip in turkey. I spent about 13 days in istanbul and absolutely loved it. I organised a tour through Jita Travel, found at www.jitatravel.com I was at the Ambassador Hotel when in istanbul, and found it to be extreamly reasonable in price, and excellent in services for what the room costs. If your going to turkey, contact them at www.hotelambassador.com

We found the same problem last year as Cynthia did, but our Hotel was the Grand Yavuz. We moved the next day. That night cost us $200 Australian. Probably about $140 US. <BR>Their stars are not the same as our stars. Denise <BR>