Escape to Paradise: Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa, Istanbul Awaits!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Whirlwind in Paradise (Maybe): A Review of Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa, Istanbul
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the Turkish tea on my recent stay at the Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa in Istanbul. "Deluxe" and "Spa" sound promising, right? Well, let's just say the reality was a slightly more complex symphony of highs, lows, and a whole lotta Turkish delight (the sugary kind, not the… other kind).
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- Keywords: Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa, Istanbul, Review, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Restaurants, Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Safety, Dining, Services, Room Amenities, Istanbul Hotels, Turkish Hotels, Travel Review.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest, yet hopefully helpful, review of the Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa in Istanbul. Find out about accessibility, the spa, the food (Turkish Delight alert!), and whether it’s truly an escape to paradise.
(Accessibility - Let's Get Real)
Okay, so. "Facilities for disabled guests" exists on their list. That's a start. But let's be honest, navigating Istanbul with any sort of mobility issue can be a challenge. The hotel itself? Well, I didn't personally test it, so I can't give a definitive yay or nay. I saw an elevator, which is a plus, but whether the rooms are truly accessible? I'm hesitant to say. I'd strongly recommend contacting the hotel directly and grilling them about specifics before you book if accessibility is a deal-breaker. (That's my professional opinion, as a seasoned internet traveler and armchair detective.)
(Rooms: My Lair of Comfy Chaos)
Okay, the rooms. "Deluxe," remember? This is where things get… messy. My initial thought? "Wow, that’s… a lot of burgundy." The carpet was, shall we say, enthusiastically burgundy. The blackout curtains were a godsend for those jet-lag-induced breakdowns (and yes, I had several. Don't judge me).
The free Wi-Fi was a LIFESAVER. I mean, I needed to check my Instagram, obviously. And the air conditioning actually worked, unlike some hotels I've stayed in where it's just a fancy paperweight. (And YES, it was HOT in Istanbul. Like, "melt your face off" hot.) Wi-Fi in all rooms is a HUGE plus.
The bathroom? Standard. The toiletries? They were there, so, mission accomplished. Coffee and tea maker? Check. (Free) bottled water? Praise the hydration gods!
But that burgandy… it did start to feel a little like living inside a velvet coffin. Okay, I'm being dramatic. But still…
(Cleanliness & Safety: Does it Pass the Sanitize Test?)
This is where Bekdas actually shines. I felt safe and, crucially, clean. There's a long list of COVID-related precautions, and they actually seemed to be taking them seriously! The hand sanitizer stations were plentiful. The staff trained in safety protocol looked like they meant business. Room sanitization happens between stays. And the daily disinfection in common areas was pretty reassuring, even for a germ-averse traveler like myself (and I swear I saw them with some kind of UV light in the hallways. They're serious about this.)
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food… Mostly)
The Breakfast [buffet] was a glorious assault on my senses. So much food! A dizzying array of pastries, cheeses, olives, and the usual suspects. Asian Breakfast, and Western breakfast options are on offer. I'm not a buffet kind of person, but I went every damn morning, and I'm NOT ashamed.
The coffee, however, was… let's say, an experience. Hit or miss. I recommend sticking to the tea, or the Turkish coffee and risk your heart rate.
The a la carte restaurant was my jam, and the restaurants in general were well-staffed, and the food options were good. I ate a lot of salad, and a lot of soup. The salad in restaurant was a great way to cool off during the hot day, and had some great options. The poolside bar was a life-saver on the hottest days, I was able to enjoy some refreshments while cooling off nearby.
One major win: Room service [24-hour]. Especially when you factor in the aforementioned jet lag. Midnight Turkish Delight? Don't mind if I do!
(Spa & Relaxation: Seeking Paradise… Or Just a Nap?)
This is where the "Deluxe" really tried to deliver. The spa/sauna/steamroom area was lovely. A very nice place to come to cool down when things get too hot, but also an incredible experience. The pool with a view gave me all the feels. Pure zen. The gym/fitness area looked well-equipped, I did not visit it, but some folks are there to do a serious workout.
I indulged in a massage. (Yes, I really needed one after the flying stress.) It was… adequate. Not mind-blowing, but pleasant enough. The body scrub and body wrap looked tempting, but I was too busy stuffing my face with pastries to try them. Maybe next time.
(Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter)
The concierge was helpful. The doorman always greeted me with a friendly smile. The daily housekeeping was efficient. Cash withdrawal and currency exchange were available, always a plus. The gift/souvenir shop had some fun things.
I did have an issue with the ironing service. Not the iron itself, but the wrinkles on my clothes. The staff was just not able to remove them.
The air conditioning in public areas was a lifesaver in the heat. The elevator was welcome, especially with luggage. The luggage storage was great for before my late flight out.
(Things to Do/Getting Around: Beyond the Hotel Walls)
Istanbul is a city of a million things to see and do. The hotel's location was reasonably convenient for getting around, and Istanbul has an amazing transport system. I used the taxi service a few times, but I was always more comfortable with the metro.
There's a car park [on-site] if you're driving, and they also offer airport transfer.
(For the Kids
Didn't travel with kids, so I can’t give a comprehensive review here. But the Family/child friendly rating exists, so there is at least some child-friendly elements.
(The Verdict: Is It Paradise?)
Look, Bekdas isn't perfect. But it's a solid choice. It's clean, relatively safe, and has enough amenities to keep you happy and entertained. The spa is a definite highlight. The breakfast is worth the trip.
Would I go back? Probably. Especially if I'm in serious need of a break from the real world and fancy a slightly-but-not-too-expensive Turkish getaway.
Final Score: 7.5/10 (Would recommend… with caveats.)
Escape to Suzhou's Ancient Charm: GreenTree Inn Mudu Town Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Here's my attempt at a hilariously messy, opinionated, and totally human travel itinerary for the Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa in Istanbul. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram post, folks. This is REAL LIFE.
ISTANBUL - BEKDAS HOTEL DELUXE & SPA: A Diary of Delight (and possible disaster!)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Turkish Coffee Chase
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up, still clinging to the remnants of sleep. Istanbul – here I come! Or, rather, Istanbul AND my crippling fear of airport security. I'm pretty sure I managed to pack a suspicious amount of emergency chocolate. Hope they don't notice.
- 9:00 AM: Finally made it through customs! Victory! Found my driver (Bless him! He's holding a sign with my name, which, let's be honest, is a luxury I'm not used to). Istanbul traffic is already legendary. We're creeping along, and I’m already feeling a vague sense of panic about the sheer size of the city.
- 11:00 AM: ARRIVAL at the Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa – WOW! Okay, okay, I'm impressed. Plush lobby, smell of… something divine. Is that rosewater? Someone’s taking my luggage, and I don't have to carry anything, which is a miracle. The elevator looks way fancier than my entire apartment.
- 11:30 AM: Check-in. The front desk staff are impossibly polite. I stumble over my Turkish greeting (which, let's be real, is probably just garbage). I somehow managed to upgrade to a room with a balcony. Score! Now, where's the bloody coffee? The caffeine withdrawal is kicking in, hard.
- 12:00 PM: Room exploration. Okay, this is ridiculously nice. Balcony overlooking… something. I’ll figure it out later. Shower is HUGE. Bed is… begging me to nap. But coffee first. Must. Find. Turkish. Coffee. Initiate Operation Turkish Coffee.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant -- good, solid food, a little bland, but safe. Safe is good when your stomach is already halfway to another country.
- 1:30 PM: The Turkish Coffee Chase BEGINS. Asked the concierge, "The best Turkish coffee in the neighborhood, please!" He pointed me to a cafe a few blocks away. Mission: Caffeine.
- 2:00 PM: Cafe discovery! Dodging scooters, getting yelled at in Turkish (I think it was just "Watch it, lady!"), and finally, this tiny, charming little place. The coffee? Strong. Possibly life-altering. They brought me a little glass of water and some Turkish delight. The sugar rush hit like a freight train. I might not be sleeping tonight.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel, slightly wired. A nap is forbidden, no matter how inviting the bed looks.
- 4:00 PM: Spa time! Okay, this is what I came for. Turkish bath, or Hammam. They scrub you, soap you, and leave you feeling like a newborn baby. It was… intense. But in a good way. Seriously, though, they get everywhere. My skin has never felt so clean.
- 6:00 PM: Staggering out of the spa, feeling blissfully relaxed and ready for an early dinner. My face is even vaguely pink!
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More good food. More polite service. And the hotel’s wine list… ouch. Better stick to water.
- 8:00 PM: Contemplating a walk to the Grand Bazaar, but the coffee has me buzzing and I'm afraid I'll buy everything in sight. Opting for the balcony, fresh air, and the faint sounds of Istanbul. It’s a… vibe.
- 9:00 PM: Trying to write in this journal. Failing. Brain too full of coffee, sugar rushes, and happy thoughts. Is this what heaven feels like??
Day 2: History, Haggling, and the Great Turkish Breakfast
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling refreshed! Must be the Turkish bath and the ultra-comfy bed. And the lack of responsibility. Glory, glory, hallelujah!
- 9:00 AM: BREAKFAST. Oh. My. God. Turkish breakfast is a thing. Platters of cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, honey, bread… My stomach is already rumbling for a second round.
- 10:00 AM: Hagia Sophia! Absolutely breathtaking. The sheer size of it… the history… I just stood there with my mouth open. Seriously, go see it. Don’t skip it. It’s a must.
- 11:00 AM: Blue Mosque. Again, stunning architecture. I had to borrow a headscarf. I feel a little ridiculous, but also… respectful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch near the Spice Market. Tried a kebab. Delicious. Still a little wary of the street food, though.
- 1:00 PM: Spice Market! The smells are overwhelming in the best possible way. Spices everywhere, rugs, ceramics, lamps… I found the perfect little trinkets for my friends and family – well, I think I did. I'm quite sure I got ripped off, but the experience was worth it. Haggling is a skill I clearly need to work on. Ended up spending FAR more time AND money than intended. Worth it.
- 3:00 PM: Back at the hotel for a quick rest and outfit changes. Another spa session is not out of the question for this evening.
- 4:00 PM: Decided to just walk around and get lost (on purpose this time). Wandering the side streets is magical. I ended up in a back alley, watching someone fix a shoe. It was quiet, real, and perfectly Istanbul.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Bosphorus. More wine, more amazing food, more happy feelings. Istanbul is slowly bewitching me.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel, ready to collapse into the bed. Woke up and got up and got ready to plan more adventures!
- 9:00 PM: One last stroll on the balcony, listening to the city sigh. This is pure magic.
Day 3: Shopping, Departure, and the Post-Istanbul Blues
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. Fighting back tears at having to say goodbye to that amazing spread.
- 10:00 AM: Shopping at the Grand Bazaar – Round Two! Now, I’m prepared. I've practiced my haggling skills (still terrible), and I know what I want (more trinkets!). I could easily spend days in there.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch again near my hotel. Have to make up for all the food I didn't eat; which is a lot.
- 1:00 PM: One last spa treatment. Because, why not? I am completely addicted.
- 2:00 PM: Packing. Ugh. The worst part of any trip. Also, how did I accumulate so much stuff in three days?!
- 3:00 PM: Check out. More ridiculously polite goodbyes. A little bit of sadness as I leave the Bekdas. It really felt like my home away from home!
- 4:00 PM: The dreaded airport. Traffic. Security. The chocolate stash survived. Victory (again)!
- 5:00 PM: Waiting at the gate. Already missing the coffee, the food, the smells, the chaos, the beauty… Everything.
- 6:00 PM: Airplane Take-off. Looking at Istanbul from the window.
- 8:00 PM: Landing. Post-trip blues are already hitting hard. Istanbul, you were a dream. I'll be back. I have to be.
And that, my friends, is the (highly edited) truth. The Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa was fantastic – clean, comfortable, and in an excellent location. But the real star of the show? Istanbul itself - a city that steals your heart and leaves you dreaming of Turkish coffee and the next adventure. Now, time to start planning my return! Maybe next time I’ll actually learn some Turkish… and get better at haggling!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream House Awaits on the Nan River, Thailand
Escape to Paradise: Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa - Istanbul Awaits! (But Does It *Really*?)
Okay, so you're hitting Istanbul? Awesome! You're thinking Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa? Let's dive into this, shall we? I've got Opinions. Loads of them. Prepare for the rollercoaster...
Is the Bekdas Hotel Deluxe & Spa *actually* deluxe? Because that word gets thrown around a lot...
Hoo boy. "Deluxe." It’s the hotel equivalent of a used-car salesman's "pristine condition." Look, it's...*nice*. Comfortable, yes. Updated? Mostly. But "deluxe"? Let's just say I wouldn’t kick it out of bed. The rooms are good, the beds are comfy, and the air conditioning definitely works (a HUGE win in Istanbul, trust me). But "deluxe" implies *a certain level of polish*, and sometimes...that polish was a little lacking. I remember one time, I went to the spa -- which, by the way, is a HUGE selling point. And the steam room...well, let's just say the tiles were slightly chipped. Okay, *more* than slightly. And the water seemed...a little lukewarm at times. Not exactly the "deluxe" zen I was craving. Still, the massages were pretty decent. So, maybe "deluxe-ish"? Let's go with that. Think "Deluxe Lite."
The Spa! Is it *really* as amazing as the pictures? Because you know how those photos LIE.
Okay, the spa. THIS is where Bekdas wants to impress. And, honestly? They *almost* do. The hammam (Turkish bath) is fantastic. Seriously. The scrubbing? Brutal in the best way. You emerge feeling like a newborn baby – or at least, a very clean, lightly-bruised baby. However, the "amazing" imagery in the photos? It’s a bit of a fabrication, sweethearts. It's clean, and there are people in robes, but it has all the charm of a municipal swimming pool which, if I'm honest, takes away from the appeal. But, the massages. OH, THE MASSAGES. One time, a masseuse, bless her heart, nearly broke my back, but it felt AMAZING afterwards. Okay, maybe that was just me. So, the spa is...good. Above average. But don't expect a mystical, sun-drenched oasis. Prepare for...functional relaxation. And bring your own slippers, maybe.
What's the food like? Because a bad breakfast can ruin a whole day…
Breakfast. The breakfast situation at Bekdas is...complicated. Okay, it's a buffet. Buffets are ALWAYS risky territory. The coffee? Watery. The pastries? Hit or miss. Some days, you'll luck out with a flaky, buttery delight. Other days...well, let's just say they're best left uneaten. But the *savory* options? Now we're talking! olives and cheeses, the omelets were good. And there was a selection of Turkish breads that were seriously addictive. I may or may not have consumed an entire loaf one morning. So, don't expect a Michelin-star experience. But there's enough to get you going, and hey, it’s included! Plus, the breakfast staff were incredibly nice, even when I was wandering around in a robe, slightly hungover from the night before, which, I'm told, is a common Istanbul pastime.
Okay, location. Is this place *actually* well-located? Or are you going to be stuck in the boonies?
Location, location, location! The Bekdas is pretty well-situated. It’s close to the main historical attractions, like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (you *have* to go, by the way – mind-blowing). It's walkable, mostly. Istanbul is a city of hills, though, so be prepared to do some climbing. And yes, you'll probably get a bit lost at some point. It's inevitable. But the hotel is in a safe area, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. You are in the heart of the action, but, I felt like you could get away from it all when you return to the hotel. Perfect for exploring but still a little bit of an Oasis. Just be prepared for the general chaos that is Istanbul – it’s wonderful chaos, but still, chaos.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? or do they give you the silent treatment?
The staff at Bekdas? Generally lovely. Some are amazing! Some are...less amazing. But generally, they try to be helpful. Now, remember, Turkey. Expect a certain level of...relaxed efficiency. Don't expect things to happen *immediately*. Patience is a virtue, especially in Istanbul. I asked for an extra towel once, and it took about half an hour to arrive. Not a huge deal. They always greeted in the lobby. The staff in the restaurants went above and beyond, one time, and they recommended a local fish place that was completely and utterly amazing. So, they are good people and that matters.
Is it good value for your money? That is the BIG question!
Okay, here's the thing. Value for money? It's...decent. It's not dirt cheap, but Istanbul is a pretty affordable city in general. And for the price, you get a lot. Location, a comfortable room, a spa (even with its minor imperfections), and a decent breakfast. It's not going to break the bank. But, I'd advise you to shop around. Prices vary depending on the season, and you might be able to snag a bargain. Just don't expect miracles.
So, should I *actually* book it? The moment of truth, people!
Alright, here’s my *extremely* opinionated verdict: If you're looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel with a nice spa and a decent breakfast, and you're not expecting absolute perfection, then yes. Book it. Istanbul is AMAZING! It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. The Bekdas will do the job. It's not going to *change* your life. But it will provide a good base for exploring this incredible city. It's a good choice. Just go with realistic expectations. And for the love of all that is holy, bring a good pair of walking shoes.
