Istanbul's Hidden Gem: Ramada Encore Avcilar - Unbelievable!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a hotel review that’s less polished brochure and more… well, me. Let's just say I’m not afraid to spill a little tea (or, you know, a whole pot of it) and tell you exactly what I thought of this place. Consider this your warning.
SEO & Metadata (Let's Get This Over With, Shall We?)
- Keywords: Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Spa Hotel, Luxury Hotel, Family-Friendly Hotel, Wi-Fi, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Fitness Center, Bangkok Hotel, Thailand Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Non-Smoking, Hotel Amenities, 24-Hour Room Service, Free Wi-Fi
- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of a Bangkok hotel, highlighting accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, and overall experience. Discover the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward moments. Get ready for my unfiltered take!
- Title Tag: Bangkok Hotel Review: My Unvarnished Truth (Plus Wi-Fi, Pools & Pretentious Spa Experiences)
Alright, now that the dry and dusty bits are done, let's get to the juicy part…
My Bangkok Hotel Adventure: A Tale of Two Towels (and a Whole Lot More)
Okay, first things first: the location. Finding this place was a journey. Google Maps kept trying to send me up a dead-end alley, which, let's be honest, set the tone for the whole adventure. Finally, through sheer force of will (and a very assertive taxi driver) we arrived. Phew!
Accessibility: Bless Their Hearts (Mostly)
I’m not a wheelchair user myself, but I always keep an eye out for accessibility. This place claims to be accessible, and while they've made an effort, it’s a bit…clunky, shall we say. The ramps seemed a bit steep in places. I did see an accessibility sign in the lobby, which is a win, but I suspect if I were in a wheelchair, it would have been a struggle. Honestly, it felt like they tried, but didn't quite get it. And the thought of trying to navigate the buffet with a wheelchair… well, let's just say I was glad I could walk.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges & Wheelchair accessible: The restaurants were, in theory, accessible. However, one restaurant's patio had a small, stepped entry, which just felt like a slap in the face.
Internet & Wi-Fi (My Digital Lifeline):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Music to my ears! This is crucial, and, thankfully, it worked. And the speed? Surprisingly decent, even for streaming a truly embarrassing amount of cat videos. They also had LAN connections, which, honestly, felt like a throwback to dial-up days. Who even uses those anymore?
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tastic (Maybe?)
Right, let's talk spa. I'm a sucker for a good spa day. The Pool with view was the first thing I saw, and it was GORGEOUS. Seriously Instagram-worthy. The Spa itself, well, it was a moment. I opted for a body scrub. Now, the therapist was lovely (God bless her patient soul), but I swear, she scrubbed so hard, I think she might have given me a new layer of skin. I walked out feeling like I was made of polished marble. The Sauna and Steamroom were also there.
As for the Fitness center, it was well-equipped, but also, tragically, air-conditioned to sub-zero temperatures. I thought I was going to get hypothermia. They could have also made a little more effort to clean the rubber floormat. Just saying.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized to the Max (Mostly)
Okay, good news: this place seems to be taking the whole pandemic thing seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. I saw staff constantly cleaning which was reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster
The food was… an experience. The Breakfast [buffet] was a mixed bag. The Asian breakfast options were actually pretty great, some incredible noodles, and the coffee was surprisingly decent. The Western breakfast? Let's just say the scrambled eggs tasted suspiciously like they came from a powder.
The A la carte in restaurant options were okay; nothing to write home about. The Poolside bar was a lifesaver – especially during happy hour. And let's not forget the Room service [24-hour]. One time, I ordered a club sandwich at 3 am, and it was heavenly. Maybe the sleep deprivation enhanced the flavor, who knows?
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable
The perks were aplenty: Concierge, Laundry service, Daily housekeeping, and a Convenience store. But, and it's a big but, the Elevator was slow. I mean, glacial. I ended up taking the stairs more often than not, which, after the aforementioned spa experience, was a struggle.
Also, I swear, the Doorman had a vendetta against me. Every time I walked past, he'd either be staring into space, or offering me a taxi when I clearly didn't need one. Bizarre!
Available in all rooms:
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone: Okay, this is the first time I ever saw a phone in my bathroom.
Getting Around:
Airport transfer was handy. Car park [free of charge] was a bonus, especially in a busy city like Bangkok. However, the lack of clearly marked spaces was… chaotic.
And Finally (The Unedited Thoughts):
Look, this place isn't perfect. The accessibility could be better, some of the food was questionable, and the doorman was definitely on another planet. But, and it’s a big but, it’s a decent hotel.
The Good: The comfy beds, the free Wi-Fi, the beautiful pool, the spa (even if the scrub was a bit rough), the 24-hour room service. The Bad: The questionable accessibility, the glacial elevator, the doorman’s stare. The Verdict: If you're looking for a solid, safe, and relatively luxurious place to stay in Bangkok, this hotel is a good choice. Just don’t expect perfection. And maybe pack your own hand sanitizer.
Would I go back? Probably. Especially because of the pool and that late-night club sandwich. But next time, I'm bringing my own doorman and a hazmat suit for the gym. Just kidding. (Mostly.)
Unbelievable Sunvalley Nasu: Japan's Hidden Gem Hotel Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is… well, this is me, throwing myself into the chaotic embrace of Istanbul and the questionable (but hopefully comfortable) haven of the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Istanbul Avcilar. Get ready for the delightful mess that is my brain on Turkish delight (metaphorically speaking… for now).
The Official-ish, But Highly Unreliable, Itinerary of My Istanbul Adventure (Ramada Encore Edition)
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic Buy (AKA Settling In… Maybe)
- 6:00 AM (Give or take an hour): Ugh. Woke up. Or, more accurately, was violently woken up by my alarm promising a "magical morning." Clearly, the alarm never met a person who’d just endured a transatlantic flight. Checked the clock, the luggage from my suitcase didn't open just right, then it was as if my brain had a mental hiccup so I thought, what am i supposed to do with that and all the sudden, I realized that I have arrived.
- 7:30 AM: Landed at Istanbul Airport. Breathe, deep breaths. Try to remember that phrase I learned: "Merhaba!" (Hello!), which I'm pretty sure I’ll butcher instantly. Then, the great luggage carousel game. Let's hope my bag isn't currently vacationing in Reykjavik.
- 8:30 AM: Found the lovely hotel shuttle! Bonus points: it already smells vaguely of delicious Turkish coffee (or maybe just exhaust fumes and wishful thinking).
- 9:30 AM: Ramada Encore! Okay, the lobby looks… clean. Standard. I'm already feeling my usual travel-related existential dread. Will the room be a dungeon? Will the wifi work? Will there be too many pillows? I'm very picky about pillow situations.
- 10:00 AM: Found my Room. It wasn't a dungeon! And the wifi actually works! Success! But the air conditioning is playing a cruel game of "cold burst/sweltering heat." This is a problem.
- 11:00 AM: Immediate Panic Buy: I walked to the near shopping complex to find some adapters as I forgot it. Plus a Turkish SIM card so I actually have a pulse on civilization! This is going to be expensive, isn't it?
- 12:00 PM: Lunch: Doner Kebab. Okay, I'm officially in Turkey. First bite… heaven. Okay, maybe I can handle this trip.
Afternoon: The Avcilar Enigma & The Coffee Conundrum
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Walked around the Avcilar area, which will lead to a shopping spree. First impressions: a vibrant mix of honking cars, people chatting animatedly, and the persistent aroma of grilled meat. It's sensory overload, but in a good way. Took a few (terrible) photos of the local mosque, which is breathtaking, even in my amateur hands.
- 3:00 PM: Quest for Coffee. Oh, the coffee! I desperately needed it. Turkish coffee, I was told, is legendary. Found a café, ordered it… and promptly burned my tongue. Apparently, I'm not a coffee master. But, hey, I tried! Will come back for the coffee.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel to cool off. Attempted a nap but was thwarted by the chaotic symphony of nearby construction and my internal monologue.
Evening: Dinner, Possibly a Disaster
- 7:00 PM: Dinner: Attempted to order food and it turns out I cannot speak Turkish, plus, my English is not so helpful either. Decided to order a pizza. It arrived… and tasted… like slightly burnt cardboard. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just not meant to be a food adventurer.
- 8:00 PM: Walked around the hotel. There was a 24-hour supermarket, which was very comforting. Maybe I'll buy a pint of ice cream and hide from the world for a few hours.
- 9:00 PM: Attempted to watch some Turkish television. It's a bewildering, beautiful, and utterly incomprehensible experience. This will take some getting used to.
- 10:00 PM: Bed. Finally. Tomorrow… who knows what tomorrow brings.
Day 2: Sultanahmet, Istanbul's Ancient Wonders, & The Pigeon Apocalypse (Probably)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up determined to slay this day. After a breakfast of… okay, I’ll be honest, it’s still the same mystery bread and the same indifferent coffee. But the view from the window is… okay, it's a parking lot. Still, I’m alive!
- 8:00 AM: Public Transport! Attempting to figure out the tram system. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! Gulp.
- 9:00 AM: Arrived at Sultanahmet Square. The Blue Mosque! The Hagia Sophia! It's… overwhelming. Absolutely breathtaking. I'm struggling to process the sheer weight of history here. Feeling inadequate. Also, there are so many pigeons. It's like a biblical plague of feathered rats.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Lost in the Blue Mosque. Stunning is an understatement. Tears sprung into my eyes.
- The Hagia Sophia. It's a marvel. But I'm also a bit overwhelmed by the crowds. Navigating through the tourists is almost a sport.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: Found a tiny little restaurant near the Hippodrome. Ate some kebab and baklava. It was… delicious. The baklava was definitely the highlight. Sugar rush engaged!
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Visited the Basilica Cistern. It's dark. It's damp. It's otherworldly. It's also… a bit creepy. But in a good way.
- 3:00 PM: The Pigeon Apocalypse. The pigeons. Oh, the pigeons. Everywhere. I swear they're plotting something. Made a strategic retreat.
- 4:00 PM: Tea and a moment of quiet by the fountain. Soaking it all in.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Shopping in the Grand Bazaar. This is where my credit card will take a serious beating! Gorgeous things and not enough cash.
- 7:00 PM: Made my way back to the Hotel
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. This time I try a grilled chicken and it was delicious.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to watch some Turkish television again. This time I pick the wrong one.
- 10:00 PM: Bed
Day 3: The Bosphorus, Turkish Tea & More Existential Musings
- 7:00 AM: Hotel breakfast, round three. The coffee is still… well, it's coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Today is the day of the boat tour! So hyped.
- 9:00 AM: Back on the tram! Making my way to the pier.
- 10:00 AM: Bosphorus Cruise! It's gorgeous. The water. The views. The city on either side.
- 11:00 AM: Watched the beautiful mansions on the shoreside.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch on the boat.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Hotel.
- 3:00 PM: Turkish Tea at a local cafe.
- 4:00 PM: A walk and buying Turkish delights.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Attempted to locate a Hammam (Turkish bath).
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at hotel.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Packing and getting stuff ready for my flight back home.
- 10:00 PM: Bed.
Day 4: Departure (with a heavy heart and a lighter wallet)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Last breakfast. Last coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Check-out. Goodbye, Ramada Encore! You weren't the worst. The wifi was great! Thanks.
- 9:00 AM: Shuttle to the airport. This time, I'm prepared for the airport chaos. I think.
- 10:00 AM: Security. Praying my luggage doesn't detonate.
- 11:00 AM: Waiting at the gate. Reflecting on my Istanbul adventure. It was a beautiful, confusing, delicious, exhausting, and utterly unforgettable experience. I’m definitely coming back.
- 12:00 PM: A sad adieu to my amazing trip.
Post-Script:
This is
Busan's Hottest Hotel: Gwangan Stay's Unbeatable Views & Luxury!
So, what *is* this "thing" anyway? Seriously, someone PLEASE explain!
Alright, alright, simmer down. I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm explaining this to kindergarteners. Okay, picture this: It's… well, it's *complicated*. Think of it like a cross between a squirrel trying to play chess and a slightly burnt loaf of sourdough. It's got layers, it's got quirks, and sometimes, frankly, it just smells a bit off. That's the *vibe* we're going for.
Okay… I think I get the vibe. But, like, what are the RULES? Is there a rulebook? A *manual*?!
HAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh, bless your sweet, optimistic soul. A rulebook? A manual? That's what you *think* you need? Honey, if there was a rulebook, I'd have burned it. I did, actually. I think. My memory is… a work in progress. Basically, there ARE rules, but they're like… invisible landmines. You step on one, and BAM! Learn as you go, and try not to cry too much. Because, trust me, you WILL cry.
Can I… participate? Or is this some exclusive club I'm not cool enough to join? (I’m probably not, am I?)
Oh, you’re in! Seriously, don't worry about being 'cool enough'. Half the time *I* don't know what's going on, and I feel like I’m the self-appointed grand poobah of this… thing. The only requirement is a pulse and a willingness to occasionally make a complete and utter fool of yourself. Welcome aboard! Let's get this show on the road!
What's the hardest part about… well, *doing* this "thing"?
Oh, God, where do I even *start*? Okay, let's be brutally honest. The hardest part? Buckling down, staying true to the core of this whole thing, no matter what. You know, it's like when you're on a diet. You start off with such dedication, meticulously planning, and then… BAM! Pizza. And then you're thinking "Okay, just one slice" and then "maybe I'll have another", and then the whole damn thing is gone. It's that, but with, you know… everything. Staying true to it, fighting the urge to give up, to change direction, it's a *beast*. Honestly, sometimes I want to just… delete everything and go live on a beach with a coconut. A *really* nice coconut.
Tell us your favorite part. The thing that keeps you coming back for more, despite the screaming and the occasional existential dread.
Okay, this one I can answer. It's definitely the surprise. Let me give you an example. I mean, it's always a surprise to wake up, right? You never really know who is going to greet you. But, yesterday I'm working on my garden and BAM. A butterfly. This *gorgeous* butterfly with colors I’ve never seen before. Now, I'm not a big butterfly person. I’m more of a "Leave me alone, insects" kind of gal. But this thing was… majestic. And in that moment I'm thinking, "Okay, this is worth it. This is why I keep doing this crazy thing." It’s the unexpected moments of beauty, the tiny little sparks of joy, those are the things that make the rest of it bearable.
Okay, so… failure. Let's be real, there's gotta be failure involved. What's the biggest failure you’ve had doing this? And how did you survive?
Oh, honey, failure is my *middle name*. My first name is probably a bit of a mess. Okay, let me tell you about the time I thought I could… Oof, just thinking about it brings a cold sweat to my brow. I thought I could... [Insert a specific, embarrassing anecdote here. Be deliberately vague at first to build suspense, then fill in the details. Bonus points for self-deprecating humor and a botched attempt that caused actual consequences. Example: "I thought I could bake a cake. A *simple* cake. I'd watched a YouTube video! I'd even bought the fancy vanilla extract! But… the oven decided to go rogue, the smoke alarm went off, the fire department showed up, and my cat, bless her fluffy little heart, ran away. She came back, but the cake was never the same. It tasted like… regret. And carbon monoxide. But the aftermath? The whole ordeal was a freaking *disaster.* And I was mortified. How did I survive? Mostly, with copious amounts of ice cream and a very understanding therapist." ]
What's the *weirdest* thing you've ever encountered while doing this?
Okay, this is a good one. This one is gonna be wild. So, I was once…[ Insert a truly weird, slightly unbelievable, and possibly fabricated story. Make it as bizarre as possible. Maybe involve a talking animal, a parallel dimension, or spontaneous combustion of a household appliance.] Don't ask me how it happened. Don't ask me to explain it. I still don't fully understand it. It happened. I’m still a little freaked out, actually. But it was also kind of… awesome. In a terrifying, mind-bending sort of way. I'm just… going to leave it at that, okay? Because if I start unraveling the whole thing, I might never recover.
If you had one piece of advice to give to someone just starting out…"this thing"… what would it be?
Oh, God, this is the biggie! Okay, here it is. Ready? Don’t take it too seriously! Seriously. Laugh. A lot. Eat cake. (Maybe not the burned kind). And remember, if you fall flat on your face – and you will, trust me – it's okay. It's okay to be messy, to be imperfect, to be… well, *human*. Because that's what this whole insane, beautiful, bonkers thing is all about, isn't it? It's about the mess. The glory. AND, hey, if you figure out the rules, let me know, alright? I'll bring the ice cream.
