Grand Hotel Konya

I stayed at this hotel for a short time in early February (February 1st), and overall I had a good experience. First of all, I really liked the location. The hotel is not in the very center of Istanbul, but for me this was actually a big advantage. I had an early flight the next morning, and the location was extremely convenient: when you leave the hotel, in about 5 minutes you are already at the main bus station, where you can take a direct bus straight to the airport. This was perfect for my situation, and I think it will be very useful for other travelers who need easy airport access. The room itself was quite good. The bed was soft and comfortable, and the room was clean enough. The service was very nice — the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast was included, and it was tasty. I also appreciated that when I called the reception, they were always ready to help. They even opened the gym one hour earlier for me so I could work out before my flight, which was a very kind gesture. However, there were some issues. In the bathroom, the towel holder was broken and almost fell on me, which was a bit dangerous. Also, the water temperature was very unstable — it changed very suddenly from very hot to very cold. I burned myself a few times because of this, so it was not comfortable. Another important issue for me was smoking. I chose a non-smoking room, but the ventilation system seems to be shared for all rooms, so I could strongly smell cigarette smoke, especially in the bathroom. For people who are sensitive to smoke or do not like this smell, it can be a real problem. Regarding heating: in early February it was quite cold outside, and there is no central heating in the hotel. They use air conditioners for heating, and the room warms up quickly, so it is not a big problem. But the air becomes very dry, and when you turn the AC off, it gets cold again, especially the floor. In general, the hotel is good for its price. I would recommend it especially for short stays and for people who do not need to live in the city center but want good transport access, especially to the airport.