Taksim Sem Hotel

It's a basic, thin hotel tucked between small streets, but it works for a budget stay. We only stayed one night. The place and facilities aren't especially pleasing, though it was worth the price. Its location is near Istaklal street, a big shopping street for visitors, in a lively area that stays active all night. The guy charged us to keep our luggage at reception after check-out.

We left early because of illness, and the hotel's changing explanations about whether we could get a refund for the discomfort only added to a deeply distressing stay at Taksim Sem Hotel. Staff flatly refused to acknowledge or deal with the problems, and one response was, “nothing is wrong with the room”. Our room smelled strongly of mold, the bathroom was moldy, and the sink kept leaking. The air conditioning and heating didn't work. A serious shower leak reportedly affected the lobby, so we couldn't use the shower for a whole day. Several outlets and the bathroom lights were also out, which felt like a safety hazard as well as an inconvenience. The room's hygiene and upkeep were far below an acceptable standard. Between the maintenance failures and the dismissive service, this was a deeply disappointing experience. Potential guests should take these problems seriously before booking.

We got good value for what we paid, and the location was a real plus, about 600m from Istaklal street and taksim square. The rooms were tidy and clean. The bathroom was another story: water leaked onto the floor every time we showered, soaking the floor rugs, and the toilet stopped flushing on the second day. I'm sure it would've been a quick fix, but we were leaving the next day, so I didn't think it was worth asking. Still, for the price, I was really satisfied and have no complaints!

This is my third time picking Sem Hotel in Istanbul. It's clean and spacious, with a super comfortable bed, and the welcome feels warm and friendly. The location is perfect too, near the metro station, sephora 🥹 and Taksim Square. The way guests are treated is adorable.