u/Temporary-Pilot1916

Istanbul locals, would love your advice! 🇹🇷

Family of 6: wife, mom, sister, 4yo + 1yo. Staying at Grand Hyatt for 10 days. Trying to keep things relaxed.

Fri: Arrive 2pm → hotel/Nişantaşı → dinner
Sat: Grand Bazaar → Eminönü
Sun: Beşiktaş → Ortaköy/Bosphorus
Mon: Blue Mosque → Hagia Sophia → Cistern
Tue: Kadıköy → Moda
Wed: Hotel/pool/spa/relax
Thu: Büyükada
Fri–Sun: Open. Considering Bursa, Sapanca/Maşukiye, Antalya, beach, or more Istanbul.

Any advice is highly appreciated! Anything inconvenient, something you’d rearrange, or something we’re completely missing?
Also food recommendations from locals are very welcome. We’d much rather find smaller/local places than tourist famous restaurants with thousands of reviews.

Thanks! 🙏🇹🇷

Staying here in the next couple of weeks. I'm a globalist and booking two rooms for me and my family. Does anyone know if they would extend my globalist benefits, including breakfast to both rooms? Overall, I've heard they are very generous and would likely do it, but I wanted to know if anyone knows for sure. For what it's worth, I've messaged and emailed the hotel, but I have yet to hear back. Thanks in advance.

Like the title says, about 10 guys in our 30s are staying in Sawyer for a weekend this July. We’re looking for outdoor activities like easy hiking, nice beaches, swimming, and a good place where we can grill by the water. We’d also like to spend one evening walking around a downtown area with some good restaurants and shops.

We’re familiar with the state parks along Lake Huron but haven’t spent much time on Michigan’s west coast and have heard it has some great beaches and parks.

Any recommendations for beaches, hiking trails, parks, or nearby towns would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!