Puffin Hostel - Istanbul

Shady business, be careful. I booked one night through Booking, relatively close to the metro so I could get back to the airport. The hotel confirmed the reservation, then messaged me on WhatsApp the next day, saying my card wasn’t valid and asking me to update the details there. I’d made four reservations that day, three in Istanbul and one in Izmir, and none of the other hotels had an issue with the card. The request seemed especially suspicious since they’d already confirmed the booking. Booking says they only accept cash, so why would they need my card details? The WhatsApp number was the same one listed on Booking. This was my cheapest Istanbul reservation, but I can see the low price comes with risks. There are plenty of other hotels in Istanbul. Nothing lost here. To whoever replied to my review: I didn’t make four reservations for the same date. I booked four hotels in one day for different parts of Istanbul over several days, plus one in Izmir. Of all the hotels I booked and stayed at, yours was the only one that said there was a problem with the card. You asked for the information over WhatsApp, not Booking, the official channel for exchanging sensitive details. I took screenshots that support what I’m saying. There was no message on Booking. Also, there’s no pre-authorization from you in my Revolut account, so I wonder how you checked that my card was invalid.

They were exceptionally helpful, even going out of their way because I have a bad leg. When I left, they helped get my luggage across the street to the taxi and gave me a thoughtful souvenir to keep. I had a great recent stay and would love to return, as long as I’m not too much trouble.

The staff can help over WhatsApp at any time, almost like having a personal online butler. They also let me check out late after I’d been out partying for the night. Level 1 rooms have kitchenettes, and level 2 rooms have small balconies. The rooftop café was closed, but there are lots of good options on the street. It feels like home.

There was a balcony in the room, and the internet worked without any trouble. The hotel is in a great spot, with restaurants and bars nearby and a really nice breakfast street right below. The pier is about a 10-minute walk, and Dolmabahce Palace takes around 15 minutes on foot. I appreciated having someone at reception around the clock. They even picked up late at night when I was trying to find a hotel after my previous booking was cancelled. I’d recommend it.