Taksim Ultra VIP Apartments

After long days touring Istanbul, it was great to come back to a place where we could relax. We were six people, including kids, and really enjoyed this four-bedroom apartment with its large sitting room. It was very clean, with three toilets and bathrooms, and the staff were friendly and always ready to help. One of the best places I’ve stayed in, in Turkey or anywhere else.

Our Istanbul trip came up unexpectedly, so we weren’t prepared, but giving this place a try worked out really well. The rooms were huge, the bathrooms and kitchen were clean, and we were very satisfied. I hadn’t expected this kind of luxury at such a low price. Nothing felt lacking.

We paid cash for five nights, but left after just one. The photos were nothing like what we found, and “Ultra VIP” felt more like a low-end motel. There were no blankets or cover sheets, no window coverings to block taxi headlights shining into the bedrooms all night, and the noise was constant. The bed had a filthy little coverlet, about the size of a small bath towel, that stank of cigarettes. Each bed had two small, very used towels soaked with cigarette smell, and the bathrooms had no soap or shampoo. The whole building reeked of smoke. The man showing us the apartment was rude and smoking behind the desk. He told us not to ask questions until his tour was over, then screamed at me when I asked whether there was dish soap or dishwasher liquid. There wasn’t any. With children and if you don’t smoke, don’t stay here. Even if you smoke, you’d be better off in a motel.

The place felt unsafe, and the staff were rude. Not good at all.