Ahg Atlas Hotel Taksim Boutique Hotel

The room was spacious and really nice, and the bathroom floor was pleasantly warm, which was great in cold weather. There were only two pillows, though, which was a bit disappointing. I arrived after midnight with very heavy luggage and a bag, and staff didn’t offer to help. That didn’t bother me. The hotel is a nice place, not too far from Taksim Square.

The cigarette smell was already noticeable in the alley and lobby, which made the late-night call accusing me of smoking feel especially ridiculous. I was only showering and drying my hair when a staff member called after midnight to ask if I smoked. I said no, and he hung up without explaining. I messaged to ask if they thought the smell came from my room. There were three rooms on the same floor, so I don’t understand why they assumed it was me. I confronted reception. Another staff member said the smoking alarm had gone off and they’d called different guests, not just me. He said something in their language and I caught the word “China.” When he said seven Chinese guests were staying there, I felt they were being racist, as if they were blaming the smell on Chinese cigarettes. What kind of smoking alarm can’t identify which room? It made me doubt the hotel’s safety. The receptionist told me I could speak to the manager the next day if I wasn’t happy. Calling a guest after midnight was apparently fine, but calling the manager couldn’t happen until morning. After I pointed that out, reception called the manager, who gave a different explanation: a staff member had seen smoke from my room and was worried about my safety. That didn’t match the accusatory way I’d been approached, and it sounded like an excuse. I was just using the hotel hair dryer. If it’s dangerous, why do they provide it?

We came back this year after staying here last year, and I remembered Tugrul, I think that was his name, as a very polite and thoughtful young man. He spoke English well and gave us helpful recommendations. He also let us borrow his transport card, which saved us from having to buy one. We were very grateful, and it was a great experience.

I’m still staying here, and so far the experience has been really disappointing. The room safe hasn’t worked since we arrived. We’ve reported it several times over three days, and each time staff said they’d fix it, but nothing has happened. Today there’s no hot water at all. Reception told me, “I’m not a technician, I don’t know when it will be fixed.” That’s not an acceptable response when basic comfort and service are expected. There seems to be little responsibility or follow-up. Guests shouldn’t have to keep chasing staff about essential issues or be left without clear information. I expected much better.