Sofitel Istanbul Taksim

The Turkish Night at the restaurant was a highlight for us, with live music, entertainment, and delicious food. We also appreciated the two complimentary surprises for our daughters: balloons for our future bride, and a birthday treat arranged by her older sister through the hotel. We stayed four nights while visiting wedding shops in Istanbul, and the hotel made getting around easy, with trams, trains, buses, and the subway close by. The rooms were comfortable, and the service was excellent. Muzafer from housekeeping greeted us cheerfully each morning and did a great job cleaning. Reception and concierge were patient and clear whenever we needed directions or advice. We had a lovely stay and would recommend Sofitel Istanbul Taksim.

The dining hall staff made a very good experience even better. Everyone was kind, respectful, and welcoming, especially two team members. Mohammad worked with the kitchen staff and brought our meals to the table. He was hardworking, polite, and always spoke with a smile. I didn't catch the other staff member's name, but both stood out as wonderful people. The hotel was very nice, and all the workers treated guests warmly.

We loved the breakfast, and our room was spacious and clean. The location was handy for sightseeing, restaurants, shops, and a taxi station, all within walking distance. Sofie the cat in the lobby was very cute, too. The welcome fruit was the one disappointment. It was included when we booked through Trip.com, but after several reminders it only arrived on the third night, the night before checkout.

I enjoyed Istanbul, especially the food and atmosphere, but the hotel didn't feel worth its price or five-star rating. The room seemed smaller than advertised, and drawing the curtains took away noticeable usable space. Some details were frustrating: there was no shower gel, despite two shampoos and one conditioner; the bathroom door's tiny handle made it hard to open and close; and we found just one teabag on arrival. After asking for mint tea, we got every variety except mint. Breakfast offered filter coffee and Turkish tea as the only hot drinks. I expected more standard choices at this rating, such as lattes or cappuccinos. The stay was okay, but I don't think I'd book this hotel again.