Arch-ist Taksim Suites

I expected a four-bed ensuite room for three people after booking three nights, but the room was filthy: shoe prints on the floor, yellow pillows, hair on the mattresses, and even an occasional ant. The supposedly clean sheets had stains and were badly creased. The bathroom was damp on the ceiling, with a badly repaired shower showing exposed concrete, and the faucet was unusable because water burst out as soon as we turned it on. When I complained heatedly at reception, the manager didn’t apologize. He said a hostel couldn’t be expected to offer luxury, that we could use the shared bathroom upstairs, and that he’d travelled around Europe and seen worse. Basically, he called us picky. I asked him to call his boss to fix things and at least lower the price, since last-minute places can cost ridiculous amounts. The owner said the price stood and we could leave if we didn’t like it, forfeiting 30% of our reservation. We tried to get out right away and luckily found somewhere else. My experience was on Sunday, April 14, 2013. The first impression was already awful: a narrow, steep staircase from the entrance to reception, with a large floor-mopping bucket taking up most of the landing. The receptionist didn’t move it while three of us struggled up with our luggage. Apparently, having a bucket of dirty water between your feet is normal here. The pretty website photos can’t be trusted. This hostel was falling apart, with no investment in maintenance, not a single euro or Turkish lira. Worst place I’ve ever seen.