The Marmara Taksim

"The Marmara Taksim Hotel – Honest Review\n\nBreakfast\nBreakfast is excellent, with a wide variety of options. The omelette chefs are always kind, and the breakfast staff overall is friendly and professional.\n\nLocation\nWe love the location. It’s close to the metro, restaurants, and shopping. Every driver in Istanbul knows the hotel, which makes getting around very easy.\n\nRooftop 360\nThe rooftop view is absolutely spectacular. Drinks are not very strong for our taste, so we recommend beer. The rooftop restaurant looked nice, although we didn’t dine there. Just remember—it’s very windy, so bring a jacket.\n\nRoom 1421\nThe room is a good size, and the Bosporus view is breathtaking. Waking up every morning and opening the window to that scene was the highlight of our stay.\n\nReception\nThe lobby is cozy and very clean. Reception staff is friendly and welcoming. There is a metal detector at the entrance for added security, which we appreciated.\n\nStaff Outside the Entrance\nThis area needs improvement. While there are hotel employees outside, they rarely speak to or assist foreign guests. They mostly interact with locals. As tourists, we expected some guidance or help. No one asked if we needed directions or transportation—something basic for a five-star hotel.\n\nMajor Complaint – Smoking Issue\nWe stayed five nights in Room 1421 on a non-smoking floor, but someone nearby was smoking constantly. The smell was so strong it filled our room every night. My wife has respiratory problems, and it was very difficult for her to sleep. Some nights, she had to leave the room just to breathe better. We reported this issue multiple times to reception, including late at night, but nothing was done until the final night when they offered to move us—too late. This ruined our sleep and overall experience.\n\nFor a five-star hotel, this lack of response is unacceptable. Instead of charging us, they should have refunded part of the stay.\n\nFinal Thoughts\nIf we return, it’s because we truly love this hotel. But right now, we are hesitant—afraid the same issue could happen again. We sincerely recommend the management take better care of their guests, especially in situations where comfort and health are affected. This hotel has so much potential. A stronger focus on customer care could truly make it a five-star experience again."

"Staff very pleasant and professional\nManagement very accommodating\nRenovated beautifully\nBathrooms towels are %100 cotton and brand new\nBreakfast was good a lot of choices with so many kind of cheese which is very fresh\nThe services in the breakfast was amazing T least four or five waiters stop by you it remove plates or bring drinks. Excellent service indeed.\nOne minute walk from Taksim street\nAccessible to Metro station just across the street from the hotel\nThe hotel is in the center of so many activities"

"My wife and I stayed here for our honeymoon, and the service was absolutely incredible. A special shoutout to the concierge, Ahmed, who truly made our stay unforgettable. He went above and beyond—taking the time to walk us through local attractions, recommend the best restaurants, and even handled all the bookings for our activities.\n\nWhat really stood out was the personal touch: on my birthday, Ahmed surprised us by arranging a special dessert at the restaurant. It’s rare to find someone so thoughtful and committed to creating an exceptional experience. He deserves a promotion—ASAP."