Clarion Istanbul Mahmutbey Hotel

The front desk and bar/restaurant staff were so friendly, and the rooms were clean and decent. I was here during a layover to Shiraz and had an amazing experience. There are nice coffee shops and stores nearby too. I'll definitely come back and stay longer.

The food was really good, and the warm service is what made the stay special. Everyone at reception was incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming, and all the staff made us feel comfortable. The hotel is stunning, with spotless, beautifully designed rooms and relaxing spaces that feel well cared for. After long days exploring Turkey, the spa, sauna, and pool were perfect. I absolutely loved my stay.

The way the staff treated us was the worst part of this stay. After we'd been there for three days, they called us from the hallway to the desk about a pillow and charged us $60. They had waited instead of telling us right away, taken photos, then laid them out in a folder as if this were an official investigation. The manager pointed at his own face, apparently suggesting I'd slept with makeup on, though he couldn't explain himself properly. That was wrong and unprofessional. Marks can happen from ordinary things like sweating. We felt judged and talked down to, with staff repeatedly invoking the hotel's "prestige" and acting as if their standards placed them above guests. The issue wasn't the $60, it was the attitude. We felt disrespected, humiliated, unwelcome, and uncomfortable, and eventually changed our flight to leave early. The hotel's condition makes that talk of standards hard to take. It has stained, filthy hallway carpets, cracked walls, dirty corners, damaged furniture, scratched windows and frames, and exposed wiring in some areas. There were cigarette burns in our room despite the no-smoking claim. The whole place feels neglected and falls well below an acceptable standard. Staff service also seemed to vary depending on whether tips were given, and we were spoken to dismissively. For a place that lectures guests about standards, the irony is hard to miss. Be careful: they may overlook the state of the property while charging extra for small things and treating you disrespectfully. Completely unacceptable. I'd never return and would strongly advise others to avoid it.

Our flight was delayed, so we needed a room at Clarion Hotel for one night. Mahmut at the front desk was especially helpful and went above and beyond when we had trouble with the taxi driver. The room was clean, the food was awesome, and the service during our short stay was excellent. We had a really good experience.