Taksim Maxwell Hotel

The breakfast room is really cramped, though there were only a few guests at the hotel while I was there. I’d read a few reviews and worried I’d made a mistake taking the agency’s recommendation. In the end, it was acceptable and good value. I didn’t expect more from a three-star hotel, and I’m satisfied.

The location was the one good thing. Nearby clubs were so loud that sleeping was almost impossible, the breakfast setup had hardly any seating, and the room was extremely small. The receptionist was very rude, in both manner and tone. I won't book here again. I'd rather pay more for a better stay.

The location is just a few minutes from Istiklal Street, and the staff were often smiling. Twice, they brought us plates of watermelon and desserts, a nice gesture, though it felt like an attempt to get us to leave a decent review. Those touches couldn’t make up for the stay. We were there for four days with friends, and we wouldn’t come back. The clubs nearby played music until morning, so forget sleeping unless you bolt the windows shut. The plumbing seemed museum-worthy: every flush made the toilet scream like a dying monkey. There were only two sets of towels for three guests. The double bed sagged badly, with a hump in the middle, like it had survived several wars. The room felt like a depressing dungeon. There was hair on the floor, and the greasy curtains smelled awful. The whole place gave the impression that cleaning had been given up years ago. It needs a full gut renovation, not a quick wipe with a rag. Breakfast was a horror show. On day one, the vegetables were wilted, the milk seemed spoiled, and there was lipstick on a glass. Disgusting. We didn't dare try breakfast again. One of my friends also developed a rash on his neck. He never gets things like that, so we could only assume it was due to the hotel's poor hygiene. We’d read negative reviews before booking, but weren't prepared for how much worse it was in person. Even this dump couldn’t ruin our amazing trip to wonderful Istanbul.

The room was comfortable and clean, and breakfast was good. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Good location and value for the money.