Mercure Istanbul Altunizade 4 ดาว

Wow, what a stay. Room very large and even had a desk and chair if you wanted to do some work. Hotel spotless and tastefully decorated. Breakfast had a huge variety in big breakfast room, lovely surroundings and you could even dine outside. Its on a quiet street too, handy as Istanbul traffic can be hectic and very noisy with car horns. It was 2 streets from the Capitol shopping centre with a supermarket for supplies. Across from The Capitol is a Metro station, just 3 stops from the Bosphorus riverfront in Uskudar. The Metro did go under the river but one metro ticket can be used on the ferry to Eminonu to visit the Grand Bazaar on the other side, much better views and than a tunnel. Very close to the Camlica Tower if you wanted to visit. The staff were amazingly helpful, knowledgeable about the local area and had fabulous English which helped as my Turkish is non existent. Down stairs is a spotless swimming pol, jacuzzi and sauna which is includedin your stay and health centre / massage at an extra cost. It is open very early until late so handy after sightseeing. Cost of staying was very reasonable and well worth it. If I ever went back to Istanbul, I would definitely stay here. I only have one photograph of the hotel but you can see its very nice, unfortunately I do not usually take pics of the hotel. There is a fabulous restaurant at the top of the street, turn right from hotel, go to the traffic lights, turn left and it is on the left at the next lights. Its called Lezzet Pasta Cafe Restaurant, fabulous food a short stroll away . . . open from 6am to 11pm. Good local dishes served and even better English.

Stayed here August 8th till 15th whilst having surgery, very relaxed atmosphere as most people there were having some sort of surgery. Wouldn't recommend as family holiday stay due to this. All staff from Reception, Cleaners and Restaurant staff were always polite and helpful. Breakfast was quite good, something to suit everybody. Room was clean modern and comfortable the only nitpick I have is pillows could be softer.

I visited this hotel with my friend. Personally I found most staff very unhelpful and ignorant definitely try to over charge tourists. I ask receptionist about hiring someone to take us out and he quote €400 for 3 hours we found a proper tour guide for €150 for 6 hours. We visited the spa the woman on reception was extremely rude but the spa itself is nice, you have to buy a swim hat to enter the pool tho. The food in the restaurant is nice unfortunately most staff there were unhelpful with the exception of bektas and berna they are absolutely wonderful by far the best staff there.

Setting the scene: 1 woman having surgery aged 63 for brow face and neck lift, her daughter and her partner, staying for 7 nights in 2 rooms, from late Jan to early Feb 24 with Vanity Clinik about 7 mins away by road/taxi at the Mercure Hotel . We paid about 100 Euros a night for a double room with breakfast per person included. First tip: Watch out for other guests and prepare yourself with scarves/ sunglassess etc if you have a weak stomach: There are a lot of people having surgery of all types staying in this preferred hotel for Vanity Clinick. Thus you get to see people with bandages, open wounds, bent over and a bit out of sorts, so be ready. Its so different in the UK where you might get hidden away in a ward for 6 days! Some reviewers have said that the reception staff at the Mercure Instanbul Altinizade are rude and offhand. I personally don't think that's the case as I think the young reception staff try not to stare at people mid recovery from surgery and are highly respectful. On a similar note, we walked down to supper in the Hotel, and didn't feel in any way that the restaurant staff were fazed by bandages and oozing heads /open hair transplants. Its important to think that the hotel Mecure Altunizade is one of the hotel choices of Vanity Clinik, but bear in mind if you chooose an alternative the traffic in Istanbul is AWFUL! Worse than LA by 100 times.

Good location hotel for those who want do plastic surgery and others. Also quite near shopping mall and MRT (below the shopping mall). Staffs very helpful and nice. I got upgrade to suite which has seperate living room and dinner table. Breakfast little bit not fit for us. Comfy bed and not smelly