VPlus Ataşehir: Istanbul's HOTTEST New Hotel? (You HAVE to See This!)
VPlus Ataşehir: Istanbul's Hottest New Hotel? Yeah, But Is It Actually Hot? (My Unfiltered Take)
Okay, so, VPlus Ataşehir. Istanbul's "hottest new hotel." The marketing machine is in full swing, promising a dazzling experience. But as a seasoned traveler, I'm always a little skeptical. Let's cut through the hype and see what actually sizzles, shall we?
Accessibility & Safety: The Good, The Okay, and The "Hmm…"
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I always appreciate a hotel that takes this seriously. VPlus does have facilities for disabled guests (yay!), and an elevator, which is a fundamental win. But the website is vague. I'd need a more detailed rundown on specific room features and ramp access before I'd give it a full thumbs-up.
Now, the safety stuff. Look, post-pandemic, this is paramount. VPlus seems to be on the right track. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, individually-wrapped food options, and hand sanitizer everywhere are good signs. They've got a doctor/nurse on call (comforting!), and staff trained in safety protocol. They even have room sanitization opt-out! That's a thoughtful touch. The cashless payment service is also a nice convenience. CCTV in common areas and outside the property is standard these days, but still reassuring. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and security [24-hour]? Check, check, and check. The hygiene certification is a biggie.
Internet: Free Wi-Fi? Yes! But…
Okay, let's get real. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a godsend. No more nickel-and-diming for connectivity. They also boast Wi-Fi in public areas and even Internet access – LAN in the rooms, which is surprisingly rare these days. I'm a freelancer, so good internet is non-negotiable. However, I'd need to test the speed and reliability. Nothing worse than a sluggish connection when you're trying to meet a deadline.
Rooms: The Devil's in the Details (and the Blackout Curtains)
Alright, let's dive into the rooms themselves. They’re advertising all the usual suspects: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, coffee/tea maker (essential!), complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, hair dryer, in-room safe box, internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, mini bar, private bathroom, and satellite/cable channels. The inclusion of blackout curtains is a massive win. Jet lag is no joke, and those things are a lifesaver. Seating area, soundproofing, and wake-up service are all appreciated.
But here's the thing: I want to know about the little things. Are the outlets conveniently placed? Is there enough lighting? Are the beds actually comfortable? The website mentions extra long beds - good! I'm tall. The slippers are a nice touch, but do they actually fit? Towels - are they fluffy and absorbent? These details can make or break a stay. They mention non-smoking rooms - good, but how well-enforced is it? And finally, the window that opens is a must for me. Fresh air, people!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Where Does the Flavor Land?
Okay, food. This is where things get really interesting. VPlus promises a lot. They have restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, and a snack bar. Room service [24-hour] is a huge plus for those late-night cravings. They advertise international cuisine and Asian cuisine, and even a vegetarian restaurant. I appreciate alternative meal arrangement, and breakfast service, with a breakfast [buffet] (classic!) and Asian breakfast options. A la carte in restaurant is important for flexibility. Desserts in restaurant, salad in restaurant, and soup in restaurant sound promising!
My biggest question mark? The quality. Is the food actually delicious? Are the drinks well-made? Is the service attentive? The poolside bar sounds lovely, but is it actually good? The happy hour is a solid perk. I'm also curious about the bottle of water – is it complimentary, or do you have to pay?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Frenzy
Okay, let's talk pampering. VPlus has a spa, a sauna, a steamroom, and a massage (oh yes!). The pool with view sounds dreamy. They advertise a body scrub and body wrap, which are definitely tempting. The fitness center is a must-have for me, even when I'm on vacation. Swimming pool [outdoor] and swimming pool are great for cooling off. A foot bath sounds like a nice touch.
Here's the catch: often, hotel spas are overpriced and underwhelming. I'd want to see reviews, and I'd want to know what kind of products they use. Is it a truly relaxing experience, or just a glorified massage parlor?
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
VPlus offers a long list of services: Air conditioning in public area, audio-visual equipment for special events, business facilities, cash withdrawal, concierge, contactless check-in/out, convenience store, currency exchange, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, elevator, essential condiments, facilities for disabled guests, food delivery, gift/souvenir shop, indoor venue for special events, invoice provided, ironing service, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, meeting stationery, on-site event hosting, outdoor venue for special events, projector/LED display, safety deposit boxes, seminars, shrine, smoking area, terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. The contactless check-in/out is a huge plus. Food delivery is convenient. Luggage storage is crucial. The concierge service is what I'd be most interested in. Can they get me a good restaurant reservation? Can they arrange a last-minute tour? That's the real test of a hotel's service.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly or Just Pretending?
They mention babysitting service, family/child friendly, and kids meal. I'm not traveling with kids, but it's good to see they cater to families.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location (and Transportation!)
VPlus boasts: Airport transfer, bicycle parking, car park [free of charge], car park [on-site], car power charging station, taxi service, and valet parking. The car park [free of charge] is a great perk if you're driving. The airport transfer is a must for me! Location-wise, Ataşehir is a business district, so it depends on your travel purpose.
My Verdict: The Verdict is… Complicated.
Look, VPlus Ataşehir sounds impressive. They've ticked a lot of boxes, especially on the safety and convenience front. But the devil is in the details. I'd need to see more specifics about the accessibility, the quality of the food and spa, and the reliability of the internet before I'd declare it "the hottest new hotel."
Here's the kicker: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Okay, I'm going to level with you. I’m a sucker for a good hotel. And the idea of a proposal spot has me swooning. I'm a hopeless romantic, and the promise of a romantic getaway is enough to get me to even consider booking. So, I'm looking at the Couple's room with a little bit of anticipation. I am also a sucker for Room decorations, and I'd probably love some extra long bed!
My Imperfect Offer: Book Now & Get… Well, Something!
But before I book, I want a better deal!
My Offer, Not a Guarantee:
- Book directly through their website (or a reputable travel agent known for good service) and mention this review. I'm aiming for a discount, or a free upgrade.
- A guaranteed upgrade to a room with a view and a complimentary bottle of something fizzy (because, romance!).
- A promise of an extra-long bed, of course!
- First dibs on the Poolside bar and Happy Hour
Why Book Now?
Because you deserve a getaway. Because you deserve to be pampered. And because, frankly, I'm curious to see if this hotel lives up to the hype! If you book and go,
Unbelievable Kagoshima Escape: Airaiku Hotel Kirishima Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned travelogue. This is a hot mess express train directly to the VPLUS HOTEL ATASEHİR in Istanbul. Prepare for chaos, questionable decisions, and me potentially losing my mind (though, let's be honest, that ship sailed a long time ago).
VPLUS HOTEL ATASEHİR: My Istanbul Breakdown (and hopefully, yours too!)
Day 1: Arrival & the Existential Dread of Hotel Rooms
- Morning (Like, REALLY morning - 4:00 AM flight? Who am I?) - Landed in Istanbul. Jet lag is already a roaring beast. The airport? A blur of duty-free perfume and panicked passport checks. I swear, I saw a guy trying to haggle over the price of a Toblerone. Istanbul, you’re already keeping me on my toes.
- Mid-Morning (or, the "Is this even a real hotel?" phase) - Taxi ride to VPLUS. Istanbul traffic is a free-for-all, a beautiful, honking symphony of chaos. The hotel… well, it looked pretty sleek in the photos. Reality? Slightly less sleek, slightly more "generic business hotel." But hey, the air conditioning works. Small victories, people, small victories.
- Afternoon (The Room of Shame) - Unpack. Attempt to conquer the hotel room's lighting system (still failing). The view? A parking lot. My mood? Let’s just say I’m not planning a postcard of the parking lot anytime soon. This is where the existential dread kicks in. I’m alone, in a strange city, with a questionable view. Is this what adulthood is?
- Late Afternoon (Food is my Friend) - Found a local Turkish restaurant near the hotel. The food? Amazing. The pide (Turkish pizza) was a revelation. The baklava… well, let's just say I may or may not have ordered seconds. The waiter, a sweet older gentleman, kept trying to teach me Turkish phrases. I’m pretty sure I only managed to learn how to say "thank you" and "more baklava, please."
- Evening (Embracing the Tourist Trap) - Wandered around Atasehir. Found a shopping mall. Spent an hour browsing through clothes I would never wear, just to feel something. Then, back to the hotel. Watched some trashy TV in Turkish (didn't understand a word, but the drama was universal).
Day 2: Culture Shock (and Coffee Shocks)
- Morning (The Coffee Crisis) - Breakfast at the hotel. The coffee was… weak. Like, "barely-there" weak. This is a crisis. I need caffeine. Found a tiny coffee shop down the street. The Turkish coffee? Strong. So strong it almost ripped a hole in my stomach. But delicious. And the guy who made it was adorable.
- Mid-Morning (The Grand Bazaar Gambit) - Okay, so the Grand Bazaar. Holy. Cow. It's a sensory overload. Colors, smells, noise, people… it's glorious and terrifying all at once. I got lost. Multiple times. I haggled (badly). I bought a scarf I probably don't need. I almost got trampled by a rogue tourist on a mission. But the experience? Unforgettable. I mean, I’m still finding glitter from the scarf in my hair.
- Afternoon (The Hagia Sophia Hysteria) - Hagia Sophia. Absolutely breathtaking. The sheer scale of it, the history… it's overwhelming. I stood there, mouth agape, trying to absorb it all. I probably looked like a total tourist, which I am, and I don't care. It was an experience, a spiritual awakening, a moment of pure awe.
- Late Afternoon (The Spice Market Spree) - The Spice Market. Oh, the smells! Cinnamon, saffron, cumin… my senses were on overdrive. I bought enough spices to open my own shop (which I probably won't). The vendors were friendly, persistent, and hilarious. I got talked into buying a kilo of something I'm pretty sure is a combination of herbs I haven't heard of, but hey, adventure!
- Evening (The Dinner Disaster) - Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel. Big mistake. The food was bland, the service was slow, and the music was… well, let’s just say it wasn't my vibe. I ended up eating most of the bread and contemplating the meaning of life.
- Night (The Hotel Room Blues - Part II) - Back to the room. Watching more trash TV. Missing my cat. Wondering if I should have stayed home.
Day 3: The Bosphorus & The Bitter Sweet
- Morning (Bosphorus Bound) - A boat tour on the Bosphorus. Finally, a moment of peace. The water was stunning, the views were incredible, and the sea gulls were relentless. I ate a simit (Turkish bagel) and felt a sense of calm.
- Mid-Morning (Dolmabahçe Palace Dilemma) - Dolmabahçe Palace. Another "wow" moment. Opulence, extravagance, history… it's a feast for the eyes. I felt like a peasant, a queen, and a time traveler all rolled into one. The sheer size of it was staggering. I’m starting to think the Ottomans had an unhealthy obsession with gold leaf.
- Afternoon (A Taste of Home - Literally) - Found a cafe that served American-style coffee. It tasted like heaven. I savored every sip. It’s funny how a simple cup of coffee can make you feel so much better. I swear, that caffeine was a lifeline.
- Late Afternoon (The Problem with Shopping) - Back to the Grand Bazaar for some last-minute souvenir shopping. This time, I was determined to be a savvy shopper. I haggled like a pro (well, sort of). I bought a few things I actually needed. I still got lost.
- Evening (The Bitter Sweet Farewell) - Dinner with a local friend. We talked, laughed, and shared stories. I realized I was starting to fall in love with Istanbul. The city's energy, the people, the food… it's intoxicating. But the trip is ending. And I have to go back to my ordinary life. I’m starting to get the travel blues.
- Night (Packing, Panic, and the Parking Lot View) - Packing. Panic. Looking out the window at the parking lot. Sigh. Tomorrow, I leave. This trip has been a rollercoaster of emotions, a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and smells. I’m exhausted, exhilarated, and already planning my return.
Day 4: Departure (and the lingering scent of Turkish delight)
- Morning (The Last Baklava) - One last Turkish breakfast. One last baklava. One last desperate attempt to memorize some basic Turkish phrases.
- Mid-Morning (The Airport Apocalypse) - The airport. Security lines, luggage chaos, the general feeling of impending doom.
- Afternoon (Homeward Bound) - On the plane. Reflecting on my Istanbul adventure. A bit messy, a bit imperfect, but oh-so-human.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, I made mistakes, I ate too much baklava. But it was mine. And that's all that matters. Istanbul, you were a wild ride. I'll be back. (And next time, I'm mastering the art of Turkish coffee!)
Pattaya Paradise: Luxurious Jomtien Beach Apartment - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Okay, spill! Is VPlus Ataşehir actually HOT? Like, Instagram-worthy HOT?
What's the deal with the location? Is Ataşehir actually *cool*? Or just...there?
The rooms! Give me the lowdown. Comfy beds? Good views? And what about the noise?
What about the food? Breakfast, lunch, dinner... is it all Instagrammable food? And is it good?
Did you use the facilities? The pool? The gym? Tell me EVERYTHING!
What was the service like? Did they treat you like royalty? Or just another guest?
The best part about VPlus? The worst? Be honest!
Would you go back? And would you recommend it?
Any random, quirky observations? Like, something you didn't expect?
The *one* thing I *have* to know before booking: Is it worth the price?
