The Bank Hotel Istanbul, a Member of Design Hotels

The location made it easy to get around the city, and our room was clean, comfortable, and well kept. Breakfast had plenty of tasty choices each morning. The staff were especially friendly and attentive, and always happy to help with anything we needed. We really enjoyed staying here and would recommend it.

The Turkish breakfast was so good that I didn’t need to visit the restaurants I’d put on my list. I also loved the spa and hammam, and the rooms and check-in were great. What really made the hotel stand out was how kind and helpful the team were. It was such a good experience that I wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else on a future trip to Istanbul. If you’re considering booking, go for it. Sincere thanks to the whole team.

The porters were warm, welcoming, and helpful, but the rest of the stay didn’t feel like the customer service I’d expect from a five-star hotel. At checkout, a different manager insisted that incidentals had to go on the card used to book. When I asked to pay in Turkish Lira cash, he said no, then questioned whether the card on file was a Chase credit card, even though it was. He focused on the amount due on the statement, and the second credit wasn’t applied to the final bill, which we already knew. Nobody asked how our stay had been. We were two male travelers, and one of us had booked two back-to-back reservations using Chase Elite card benefits. At check-in, the manager quickly pointed out that the $100 hotel credit could only be used once. We already knew that restriction and understood it. He said we had an upgrade, but we weren’t offered two beds. The room was small, with one queen bed and a view of an old abandoned building. We used the $100 credit at the hotel restaurant, but prices were extremely high compared with nearby restaurants. When we ordered beer, staff had to fetch it from the rooftop bar and seemed less than thrilled, though they did bring it. We were told there was no second beer and had to choose something else. Our food arrived without forks, so I had to get up and find a staff member. Nobody checked on the meal afterward. We were left to eat and close our tab. The $138 spend didn’t feel worth it for an upscale dining experience. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel, since the experience didn’t match its current star rating.

The rooftop restaurant was the highlight waiting for us, with international food and breathtaking views. I’ll post all the details tomorrow x. The hotel also has a real connection to art and culture, from its support of local artists to its history as a Neo-Renaissance gem. Our room was comfortable and stylish, with plush pillows and panoramic views of old Istanbul. The design throughout, from the grand entrance to the carefully put together lobby, blends sophistication with a sense of heritage. Set in the heart of lively Karakoy, The Bank Hotel is ideally placed for exploring the city’s past and present. We left feeling that it was a place for exploration, indulgence, and enjoying Istanbul’s magic.