Arrival/Check-in: By the time my cab pulled up to the hotel entrance at 11 a.m., I had been traveling for 24 hours. The bellman offered a warm greeting and whisked away my bag to sites unknown. I tend to travel light and I prefer to cart my own luggage, so I was a bit apprehensive when my bag disappeared. I was looking forward to catching a few hours of sleep and didn’t want to wait for my bag to arrive in my room. As I walked to the reception desk at the far end of the lobby, I noticed the adjacent restaurant and the bar were quiet for midday; nary a patron in sight. The front desk clerk was friendly and efficient. She called the guest service manager, who escorted me to my room, where my bags were waiting. (29/30)

Guest Quarters: My sanctuary — it was so much more than a guestroom — was in the hotel’s spa suite category. I entered through a hallway lined with translucent glass on one side. The two-sided minibar at the end of the hall defined the space — hallway, work area, bedroom and bathroom — while maintaining an open floor plan. The well-equipped L-shaped desk had pop-up outlets for electric and Internet connections and plenty of space to work and stow equipment. The expansive bath featured a vanity with two sinks, one of which was designated to provide only filtered drinking water. Ingenious! The bath spa featured a walk-in shower, a steam room, a free-standing soaking tub and subtle lighting designed to enhance relaxation. (30/30)

Services/Amenities: The lobby bar and restaurant were quiet throughout my stay. This is a relatively new property in a neighborhood filled with stylish cafés and restaurants. Hopefully, locals will soon discover the Park Hyatt’s appealing social venues. The hotel’s signature restaurant PRIME was, however, packed on the night I dined there. It’s a traditional Western-style steakhouse that lives up to its name. In warm weather, PRIME opens onto an outdoor deck and heated swimming pool beyond. The hotel also features a small spa, and its location in the upscale Ni¸stani neighborhood can’t be beat. (39/40)

The Experience: My first visit to Istanbul left me eager to return. Wonderful memories of my stay at the Park Hyatt only reinforce that desire.

Total Score: 98/100

Park Hyatt Istanbul
Tesvikiye, Bronz Sokak No. 4 Sisli
Istanbul 34367
Turkey
tel 90 212 315 1234