Hotwire Hotel: 4.5* Istanbul (Istanbul Airport) Atakoy Marina Hotel Istanbul

[L V]

I took a chance on a Hotwire hot Rate hidden hotel, that they claim is 4.5* Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) area hotel: Amenities: Free Parking, Indoor pool(s), Airport Shuttle, fitness center, business center, Pool(s), restaurant(s), high-speed internet, wheelchair accessible, in-room accessibility.

After checking the recent reviews at Expedia and Tripadvisor who both have it as 2.5 out of 5 stars... I called Hotwire to express concern. Since it's a hot Rate, they can't do anything in advance of my arrival. But if I'm dissatisfied when I arrive, I'm to call Hotwire immediately and we'll work out alternate plans. Um... I suggested that calling on my American cell phone from Turkey isn't very practical. But I couldn't get anything other than a promise that Hotwire has noted in my record that I'm concerned. Hotwire's Expedia ratings dated 2 days ago show this property as 4 out of 5. I don't see how that's possible, but it's a losing battle at this point.

I'm not optimistic that this ex-Holiday Inn property will live up to 4.5*s.

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear you're disappointed in the results for this one. In the future feel free to ask the board for help before your purchase to see if we can gain any insight.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and helping us add this property to the Hotwire Hotel List for this area.

Can you please add a reply to this thread with the date(s) of your stay so we can add this information to the topic title and enable your win to appear in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay... hope it goes better then expected.

[L V]

My stay at the Atakoy Marina Hotel Istanbul proved that the TripAdvisor comments held true. It is a one or two star property. Hotwire was SO FAR OFF in calling the 4+*s. I emailed Hotwire Customer Svc asking straightaway for management, but got a form letter reply. I responded again asking for management, and attached 11 photos ranging from frayed towels to broken toilet to torn sheet, and followed up with a call to Hotwire. The first Hotwire rep read from a script, apologizing that I didn't think I was happy with my room. I asked for his supervisor, who offered me $25 of Hotwire bucks. I asked for his supervisor, who eventually admitted that my pics would have been stripped off my email... but eventually he refunded my $119.

I suspect that the Atakoy Sheraton and Atakoy Marina Hotel were confused at Hotwire, either by accidentally thinking that "Atakoy" was one hotel, or possibly by the mother company of the two hotels misleading Hotwire. I couldn't get details from Hotwire, but I don't think Hotwire purposely misled me into paying 4.5* money for a 2* hotel. They have a reputation on their hot deals for providing good deals, and they don't want to ruin their business plan.

I resent spending the time of two emails and three phone calls to get this fixed.

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear this took some time to get resolved, but glad that it was ultimately taken care of to your satisfaction (and that you kept a level head and believe this was an 'honest mistake' on HOTWIRE's par)

Can you please add a reply to this thread with the date(s) of your stay so we can add this information to the topic title and enable your win to appear in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

2x

[L V]

December 13, 2012 stay.

[Romelle]

Nice work staying on Hotwire's case!

Since I'm retired, I sometimes take up a cause and spend time and money for a couple reasons. One is simply the principle of the thing. And the other is for the sake of others who don't have the time/energy/$/willfulness to duke something through.

As well as your personal satisfaction, you probably saved quite a few other people from a similar experience.

Maybe you even saved me. I've been to Istanbul, loved it and hope to get back sometime. And I'd most likely do the Hotwire/Priceline thing since my prior experience was good.

Thank you!

Romelle

[AaronJB]

Thank you for the follow-up re: date/s of travel.