Selvese Suites – Serviced Living in Galata Hotel

This was the worst hotel experience of my life, and they refused to address what happened. I had to book another hotel the next morning. The back pain from that mattress cost me a whole day of my trip while I recovered. I’ve never written a bad review lightly, since I know it can affect someone’s livelihood, but please don’t stay here. The mattress had exposed springs, and you could feel each one just by gently running a hand over it. I’m a climber and backpacker, used to sleeping in less than luxurious situations, and this wasn’t a matter of preference. I knew a full night on it would cause serious back problems, so I raised it right away. Staff were rude and ignored me. They said there was nothing they could do, wouldn’t refund the stay, and said someone would check in the morning. I asked for a cot instead because it would have been more comfortable, but they ignored my messages. No one came in the morning until I asked again. Then they sent the housekeeper, who agreed the springs could be felt but said nothing could be done. There were other problems too: exposed electrical wiring, no drain in the sink or shower, hair in the bathroom, and ripped sheets. The property manager took no responsibility, even after I raised the issues several times through Booking.com and directly. They kept claiming they’d offer an alternative, which would mean no refund, but never did. Given the price, I might have overlooked the rest, but not that mattress. As I left, a staff member said I had to go through Booking for a refund. Booking denied the request. They also tried to mark me as a no show so I couldn’t leave a review, and claim the photos were staged, though they showed the room as it was when I arrived. What a bizarre, unpleasant experience. I have nothing to gain from writing this, whatever they suggest. I just want people considering it to know, so they don’t go through what I did. Everything else about my stay in Turkey was incredible.

Galata is a great base, with cute stores, amazing restaurants, and tourist sights close by. Walk 5-10 minutes and you’re on a buzzing avenue where people drink and party, while the apartment stays very quiet at night. We loved our little apartment. It was spacious and very clean, and staff were friendly. You can get into the building with a code when reception is closed. The elevator might be a bit small for a stroller, but it worked well enough for us. There were tiny issues, like slow shower drainage and a sink that dripped a little, but they really weren’t worth mentioning. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would come back anytime.

We felt intimidated and unsafe after the owner raised his voice and threatened that we could leave if we wouldn’t move rooms immediately. We’d been assigned a room different from the one we booked and paid for. When we politely pointed that out, he reacted aggressively instead of sorting it out professionally. The receptionist could barely speak English, making even basic communication exhausting. The replacement room was freezing, so we couldn’t relax or sleep comfortably. After another complaint to the owner, we were moved again, this time to a room for three despite there being only two of us. All that moving showed disorganization and a lack of respect. The bathroom ventilation was partly broken, causing unpleasant smells and poor air quality. The cold and constant stress made the room unacceptable. This was one of the worst accommodation experiences we’ve had. The place was badly managed and poorly maintained, with wrong rooms, freezing temperatures, broken facilities, and almost no English spoken. We strongly advise avoiding it unless you enjoy being shouted at and treated with disrespect.

The soundproofing was pretty good, even with loud music outside on Friday and Saturday nights. We had a big tasty breakfast brought to the room every morning, a nice bonus, and the balcony was a good size. It’s a very nice, cosy boutique hotel next to the Galata tower, and the service was excellent. The staff were polite and helpful, and we really felt at home. The kitchenette came fully stocked with utensils, a microwave, and a fridge. Room service came daily to change the towels and restock tea and coffee. The hairdryer was very good, and the bathroom slippers and bathrobes were a nice extra. A couple of fixtures were loose and could be replaced, but it didn’t bother us much. A very pleasant stay, and thanks for making us feel welcome.