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Dubai and Istanbul with an Infant
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:32 am
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:32 am
Mrs. H2O and I are taking our 9 month old son on a trip from the US to Dubai, Almaty, and Istanbul in March. We're staying in an apartment near her family in Almaty but looking for hotels in Dubai and Istanbul that would be good with an infant.
In Dubai, we don't want to stay out on the islands next to the beach as we'd like a centrally located hotel for when Jr. needs to take a nap. We'll end up out at the beach at some point but would rather that be an excursion rather than a base.
Istanbul is somewhat of the same boat. We would like to be near the action, whether that is the city center or somewhere else.
We haven't spent any meaningful time in either city prior to this trip so looking for some recommendations on where to stay.
Have top tier status with Marriott and Hilton if that makes a difference. Also utilize the AmEx Hotel booking for FHR and The Hotel Collection as well.
Thanks in advance for the help/advice.
Also, before you say it, yes this is insane and yes we've done it before. Kid is 7 months old and already has a passport and 8 flights under his belt.
In Dubai, we don't want to stay out on the islands next to the beach as we'd like a centrally located hotel for when Jr. needs to take a nap. We'll end up out at the beach at some point but would rather that be an excursion rather than a base.
Istanbul is somewhat of the same boat. We would like to be near the action, whether that is the city center or somewhere else.
We haven't spent any meaningful time in either city prior to this trip so looking for some recommendations on where to stay.
Have top tier status with Marriott and Hilton if that makes a difference. Also utilize the AmEx Hotel booking for FHR and The Hotel Collection as well.
Thanks in advance for the help/advice.
Also, before you say it, yes this is insane and yes we've done it before. Kid is 7 months old and already has a passport and 8 flights under his belt.
5
Posted on 1/20/25 at 8:45 am to H2O Tiger
With an infant, you probably want to be near the sights in Istanbul?
Perhaps look at Hagia Sophia Mansions (Hilton) and the Four Seasons as they are right down there.
If not, and more towards Taksim Square side, you have a couple Hyatts to choose from.
I figure you don't want to be using transportation a whole lot or being stuck in a car with an infant so hence my first suggestions.
Perhaps look at Hagia Sophia Mansions (Hilton) and the Four Seasons as they are right down there.
If not, and more towards Taksim Square side, you have a couple Hyatts to choose from.
I figure you don't want to be using transportation a whole lot or being stuck in a car with an infant so hence my first suggestions.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 9:44 am to H2O Tiger
Congrats on turning the kid into a world traveler so early, it's not insane at all, unlike what the Mexico/30A crowd will tell you.
I think you're overestimating how big Dubai/Abu Dhabi are. Unless you're going from one city to another, nothing is more than a 20m cab ride away. And take into account that babies will sleep anywhere, anytime, when they feel like it.
I think you're overestimating how big Dubai/Abu Dhabi are. Unless you're going from one city to another, nothing is more than a 20m cab ride away. And take into account that babies will sleep anywhere, anytime, when they feel like it.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 9:57 am to Teddy Ruxpin
Appreciate the recommendations! Will look into both of those.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 9:58 am to LemmyLives
quote:
Unless you're going from one city to another, nothing is more than a 20m cab ride away. And take into account that babies will sleep anywhere, anytime, when they feel like it.
Trying to avoid putting a car seat in and out of a taxi a ton of times. By the time we take the trip he will have outgrown the Doona so we'll be looking at a travel stroller/full size car seat.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 10:03 am to H2O Tiger
In Istanbul I have found it better to stay in the Sultanhamet area. There is a beautiful Conrad Hilton in the Besiktas area but it is away from the most visited sites. I also would take a Bosphorus ferry ride you have time.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 10:18 am to Purple77
We're spending 3 full days in Istanbul so we should have plenty of time to hit the major areas. Also, with Turkish having it's hub in IST, I know it won't be our last visit, so I'm not trying to force us to see everything this trip.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 10:23 am to H2O Tiger
Umbrella/minimal stroller is absolutely the way to go. First time moms usually over correct and get a monstrosity of a stroller and the “travel bag,” and they’re impossible to maneuver.
And I know you won’t be the family changing the baby on the tray table. Right? Lol
And I know you won’t be the family changing the baby on the tray table. Right? Lol
Posted on 1/20/25 at 10:45 am to H2O Tiger
We stayed at the Sanasaryan Han in Istanbul in September. It's a new Marriott Luxury Collection property. It is in the old town, very close to the Spice Market. It is about a 15 minute walk to Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. It is a block to the tram, very easy to get across to Galata and Taksim areas. I thought the location was great and the hotel was nice. Spacious room and big bathroom, nice amenities.
It had been recommended that we split our time between old town and across the Golden Horn to get a better feel of the city. However, since we using points and staying 5 nights, getting the 5th night free made sense.
We booked a day tour with Metin Koca. Had seen him recommended on a few blogs. Great guide, hit all the main attractions and provided historical and cultural context that you would not get reading from a guide book. I also highly recommend Culinary Backstreet tours. We did the Two Markets, Two Continents and it was a highlight of the trip.
Istanbul was a revelation. It had been on my list, but it jumped to the top of favorite places I've traveled. The history is fascinating. The people were friendly, the food was amazing, and we never felt unsafe.
It had been recommended that we split our time between old town and across the Golden Horn to get a better feel of the city. However, since we using points and staying 5 nights, getting the 5th night free made sense.
We booked a day tour with Metin Koca. Had seen him recommended on a few blogs. Great guide, hit all the main attractions and provided historical and cultural context that you would not get reading from a guide book. I also highly recommend Culinary Backstreet tours. We did the Two Markets, Two Continents and it was a highlight of the trip.
Istanbul was a revelation. It had been on my list, but it jumped to the top of favorite places I've traveled. The history is fascinating. The people were friendly, the food was amazing, and we never felt unsafe.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 10:50 am to H2O Tiger
quote:
Trying to avoid putting a car seat in and out of a taxi a ton of times. By the time we take the trip he will have outgrown the Doona so we'll be looking at a travel stroller/full size car seat.
I never went with the Doona. Instead went with the usual Graco car seat and then a frame stroller the car seat could click into. I'm sure there are many versions of this type of thing. Just pick them up and drop them in. Easy peasy. (I think baby jogger (see end of post) now has a way to click these into their strollers so you can possibly save money on not buying this frame)
Frame stroller
After 1 year when the infant car seat is no longer good, I used the Cosco travel seat.
After 2 years old, the WayB.
My stroller of choice after infant stage was the Baby Jogger City Tour 2. Sturdy yet light enough and collapsible. Can use that stroller until you're out of them entirely.
This post was edited on 1/20/25 at 11:13 am
Posted on 1/20/25 at 11:40 am to Teddy Ruxpin
I'm sitting in the loving room staring at 3 strollers, none of which will work for this trip apparently according to my wife....
Posted on 1/20/25 at 11:42 am to LemmyLives
quote:
And I know you won’t be the family changing the baby on the tray table. Right? Lol
Absolutely not, though I am very well acquainted with the Boeing 737 changing table in the lav at this point.
Actually really excited about our itinerary/flights for this trip.
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:03 pm to H2O Tiger
Just keep reminding her the stroller is not supposed to be a shopping cart, it’s for the kid and the diaper bag
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:10 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
Just keep reminding her the stroller is not supposed to be a shopping cart, it’s for the kid and the diaper bag
I'm with you. We have the Doona, Nuna Mixx, and Thule Urban Glide but none of those work apparently.
I'm gonna go find the crappy Graco cloth sling I had when I was a kid.
This post was edited on 1/20/25 at 12:12 pm
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:12 pm to H2O Tiger
Istanbul & (soon-to-be) Dubai were/are my first forays into the MENA region.
Went to IST back in early November (2024), we stayed in Galata area which we is in the thick of it and clearly touristy but less to a kitschy extent than the other side of the Golden Horn.
And we’re headed to Dubai for a week in two short days, we’ll staying near La Mer beach at some pretty decent hotel with its own private beach, they at least have a shuttle to the mall if anything haha, hoping getting to other parts of town won’t be too much hassle…
Went to IST back in early November (2024), we stayed in Galata area which we is in the thick of it and clearly touristy but less to a kitschy extent than the other side of the Golden Horn.
And we’re headed to Dubai for a week in two short days, we’ll staying near La Mer beach at some pretty decent hotel with its own private beach, they at least have a shuttle to the mall if anything haha, hoping getting to other parts of town won’t be too much hassle…
Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:14 pm to purpgold718
Please report back with your experience in Dubai
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