Hotel la Vitrine

We waited outside for half an hour before anyone showed up, since there was no reception. This was presented as a 4-star hotel, but it turned out to be an apartment above shops. The building smelled strongly, and the room was in awful shape: dirty sheets, hair on surfaces, sticky floors and broken furniture. The terrace also looked nothing like the photos. The listing’s angles and mix of room pictures give a misleading impression. We told the host we didn’t want to stay, less than 10 minutes after arriving, but he acted unprofessionally and made it hard for us to leave. This place isn’t what it claims to be. The negative reviews here reflect what we found.

The owner was nice and open to helping, though I didn't need assistance. What I needed was a better room. The place is called a hotel, but you just get the keys and are on your own. I’m surprised by all the high scores, especially the string of only 5-star ratings. I know reviews can be rigged. I’m giving this 3, and that’s generous. The rooms are old and run down, with lots of missing or broken things. Cleanliness was nothing special, and the bedding was so-so. I looked for something to praise and honestly couldn’t find it.

The owner only agreed to refund one night's cost, even though I left and didn’t sleep there after arriving. I booked 11 days, but on day one I found the place closed. After an hour's delay, the owner came and showed me the rooms. They were very cramped, with old furniture, and the street seemed suspicious and frightening, unsuitable for families or individuals. It wasn’t even a basic hotel, just a furnished apartment, despite the hotel label. I contacted Booking, and they apologized. Now I want to make the truth about this bad hotel clear to Arabs in particular and everyone else.

We were expecting less on our first visit, but got much more. The room was warm and comfortable, and the room and water area felt safe. Room service was amazing, and someone was available to contact around the clock for anything we needed. A mini market in the same building was handy too. It's a three-minute walk from Taksim. Next time we visit, we already know it will be La Vitrine Hotel ☺️