Experiences To Remember

There are little things that make the experience to a hotel, shop or restaurant memorable, at least for me. Take my visit to the Spa at the Park Hyatt in Macka Istanbul for example. I found a notice - see picture - which listed 14 items that are available upon request!. Now I had to re-read the list a couple of times to be sure. Everything from toothpaste to shaving kits. 

Very thoughtful of the hotel. I contrasted this with my local gym back home where to get a polythene bag to put your wet clothes will incur the ire of the attendant. Toothpaste? "no, that is for hotel guests only" is the polite but never-you-ask-again response that you get. So you can imagine my joy when I saw this sign.

Which also got me thinking. On arrival, the guest relations manager came out to welcome my wife and I. She made the point of mentioning our long history with the Hyatt properties and welcomed us back. As a gold passport member of Hyatt, we got upgraded on the spot. What a way to begin our visit to Istanbul. 

And for this, Park Hyatt - Macka, Istanbul makes it to my list of experiences to remember. Just like the Dorchester Hotel in London - where on entry at least 3 attendants vie for your attention, "how may I help you?" quickly followed the greeting of the day. What a great idea. Usually, you walk to hotels and you have to weave your way through metal detectors and unfriendly security personnel. Not at the Dorchester, where you truly feel welcomed. It is the little things. No billboards proclaiming we are a "5 Star Hotel" just the basic welcome and warmth of a passionate front office staff.