Massimo Hotel

I spent 9 nights here in November and mostly enjoyed the stay. The staff were really friendly and attentive, and the location made it easy to explore Istanbul, with attractions, restaurants, and public transport close by. The one drawback was hearing noise through the thin walls from neighboring rooms. That could be tough if you’re a light sleeper. Still, the convenience, service, and welcoming feel make it a good choice.

Room 501 was really cute and roomy, with a separate bedroom, living room, and balcony. It had all been newly renovated, and we found the bed and pillows comfortable. The AC worked well and made no noise. The hotel’s in a lively, busy neighborhood, so we heard some evening noise, but the windows blocked enough of it that we slept fine. There are lots of nice restaurants and shops nearby, and the central location made it easy to walk everywhere. Staff helped us with our luggage. Having an elevator was a real plus after staying at another hotel in the neighborhood without one, which was exhausting. The bathroom had a slight smell, but it was far enough from the bedroom that it didn’t bother us much.

The hotel is quite central, so most historical sites are easy to reach on foot or by public transport. I found it the most comfortable and beautifully designed hotel I’ve stayed in in Istanbul. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, each very thoughtfully designed, and the sheets were very clean. Everyone was helpful, from the staff to the chef. If you’re visiting with family, this should be the first place you think of.

The biggest problem for us was the money we believe went missing from the safe. We first noticed 200 dollars gone and thought it might have been a mistake or a counting error. After counting what remained and putting it back, we requested cleaning. When we came back that same day, another 100 dollars was missing. That convinced us cash was being taken from the safe during cleaning, in small amounts so it wouldn’t be noticed right away. We told the manager immediately and were promised help, but nothing came of it. We couldn’t prove it directly, and there were no cameras in the room. The hotel said only senior staff had access to the safe, and it seemed to have been opened almost professionally. It was upsetting, and showed me a safe doesn’t guarantee security. I’d carry valuables with me and not leave cash in it. The hotel itself is otherwise good, so stay alert and careful. Our room was on the third floor, and the neighbors slammed the door so loudly. We never worked out whether it was other guests or housekeeping. We stayed for two weeks and requested cleaning nearly every two days. They seemed to sweep rather than wash the floors, and there was even a centimeter of dust on the bathroom shelves. The cleaning was as superficial as it could be. There were positives: the hotel is ideally located in Beyoglu, and if you’re going to Istanbul, it’s a great area to stay. Everything is within walking distance, and it’s lovely to walk around. The staff were very polite, always greeting us and asking how we were doing.