ThumbtackReviews

Istanbul Airport (IST) - Turkey Experience: Transit Date: 2020.12.18 Considering this is a brand-new airport and the sanitation procedures put into effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic especially when it comes to air travel - it is hardly surprising that this airport was spotless. It will be interesting to see this airport again when the pandemic is over, and all of the public areas are fully functional.... In the meantime, it was a very pleasant layover (considering the circumstances), and top marks for trying to get the Christmas spirit going. Terminal Cleanliness: 5/5 Terminal Seating: 2/5 Terminal Signs: 4/5 Food & Beverage: 3/5 Airport Shopping: 3/5 WiFi Connectivity: 3/5 Airport Staff: 3/5 Thumbs Up: 4/5

Sarper's Place B&B Turkey - Antalya 2020.10.23 2020.12.14 A Thumbtack Review... Newly Renovated Cozy Apartments in a Great Location Walk 50 meters to your left and you are at a local superette or turn right and you are on Ataturk Boulevard, lined with palm trees, fashion boutiques and eateries, not to mention Hadrian’s Castle Gate (350 meters from the front door). The apartment is brand new, with everything you need for a short or long-term stay. Because the apartment has a couch that doubles as a pull-out bed, there isn’t a coffee table, but the ever-attentive Sarper will be quick to find a solution. In fact, the Sarper team was awesome at attending to all of our queries. If only the closet were a bit bigger. Cleanliness: 5 Communication: 5 Check-in: 5 Accuracy: 5 Location: 5 Value: 4 Thumbtacks: 4.8 Definitely our pick when we return to Antalya.

Collage Pera Hotel Beyoglu/Istanbul Turkey 2020.10.09 - COVID-19 A Thumbtack Review... 5 Stars for Covid-19 Compassion and Customer Service The team at Collage Hotels showed their true customer service spirit despite the terrible time the travel industry is suffering during this horrible pandemic. Our airline had to cancel our flight to IST airport last minute and yet they still issued a 100% refund. Kudos Team Collage!!!! We did get to Istanbul a few days later via SAW airport. We made a point to seek out Ismail at the hotel to thank him in person for his team’s understanding. The Hotel still looks great from the outside. This would have been a repeat visit for us next time for sure. Bonus The trolley that travels along Istanbul’s famous Istiklal Street is running again. The Beyoglu stop is just over 100 meters from the hotel.

Bossuite Hotel Kadikoy Kadikoy/Istanbul Turkey 2020.09.24 2020.09.27 A Thumbtack Review... Close enough to the action Far away enough from the bustle Just steps away from Altyol tram stop where you can catch the trolley for a scenic trip down to the waterfront through the delightful streets of the trendy suburb of Moda. Or you can just walk down the hill to the heart of the action in Kadikoy. The rooms are a bit tired but on par with an average 3-star hotel, but the balconets offer a great view of the bustling pedestrian street below. The glass doors and walls are okay for soundproofing we were not too bothered with noise. 3 Thumbtacks

Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam 2020.09.22 - 2020.09.23 A Thumbtack Review... Splurge on a River View Room on the 5th Floor The rooms are large by Asian standards and the soundproofing is good all round. The rooms come with all the mod cons you would expect from a 4-star hotel. Respecting the limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic posed to the hotel, we did not try the restaurants, but we did visit their small but fun rooftop pool and bar what a view. If you can, splurge on a river view room on the 5th floor, they are the same size as the rooms on higher floors, but you get your own privat balcony with a view of the river and street below don’t worry, the sliding glass doors are heavy and soundproof. 4 Thumbtacks