The Marmara Taksim - Istanbul, Turkey 

Lavender Robinson
Posted: Sat, Jan 10 2009
Perhaps I'm more accustomed to a certain caliber of service from hotel staff than what I received at the Marmara. The staff was polite but as I sat in the lounge, looking out at the city, I picked up the menu of drinks and no one bothered to ask me if I'd like something to drink while I sat. Guests at other tables were offered this service but at my table, only the ash trays were being serviced. I dismissed this lack of accomodation because it was really a very trifle thing and thought that perhaps I should've waved to the lounge staff member who atleast made himself available should I desire his services. There was really only one thing that made my visit to the hotel extremely unpleasant...the noise level. Both directly above me and far below me was the constant noise of the renovation work being done that completely destroyed any chance of sleep during the day and the endless traffic noise that was impossible to escape, even with my window closed. I was more exhausted from my visit to the hotel than from the entire travel it took to get there. I couldn't wait to leave. Now, I realize that there is nothing that can be done about the traffic noise. I discovered later that there was a sports event in progress on that particular weekend that most probably prompted an increase in traffic. But as for the noise directly over my head, I received no prior notice of warning from the hotel staff and offered no other room accomodations away from the offending renovation work being done. This was totally unacceptable. Had my reservation been for more than 2 nights, I would've insited on a different room but as it turned out, my discomfort at the Marmara Istanbul hotel was very short lived.

Will never go again
Posted: Fri, Aug 08 2008
Myself, my wife and our three small kids (all below 8 years age) stayed there for 7 nights during June 2008. We booked two interconnected rooms. I travel all over the world and always stay in 5 star hotels. This hotel rooms really need polishing. The bathrooms/toilets are very old (and heavily used up) and badly require replacement. They still use very old TV sets and hardly have any English channels. This makes things boring if you want to watch English programms.I heard from staff that they only have LCD TV in expensive suites. I paid extras and booked in advance for the sea view room. But to my surprise I could hardly see a sea as there were several buildings blocking the view. So it took me some time to get a room on a higher floor with a sea view. if the room is based on city view side, then be careful of the noises especially at night. The room service menu was very limited and extremely expensive. kids meal alone were in excess of 12 US Dollars for per serving!. Only limited staff understand English, which makes things very difficlut especially when you make an order for a meal. This is an expensive hotel, but fall below the standard.

Will never go again
Posted: Thu, Jul 24 2008
Myself, my wife and our three small kids (all below 8 years age) stayed there for 7 nights during June 2008. We booked two interconnected rooms. I travel all over the world and always stay in 5 star hotels. This hotel rooms really need polishing. The bathrooms/toilets are very old (and heavily used up) and badly require replacement. They still use very old TV sets and hardly have any English channels. This makes things boring if you want to watch English programms.I heard from staff that they only have LCD TV in expensive suites. I paid extras and booked in advance for the sea view room. But to my surprise I could hardly see a sea as there were several buildings blocking the view. So it took me some time to get a room on a higher floor with a sea view. if the room is based on city view side, then be careful of the noises especially at night. The room service menu was very limited and extremely expensive. kids meal alone were in excess of 12 US Dollars for per serving!. Only limited staff understand English, which makes things very difficlut especially when you make an order for a meal. This is an expensive hotel, but fall below the standard.

dusty
Posted: Sun, Jul 20 2008
This hotel definitely needs renovation. Not that something was broken or not working, but the room and the bathroom looks like a dozen of handyman tried to fix one piece of a time, the entire place. I had the room on the Taxim Square side, which means no view of Bosporus, but a lot of noise. The staff at the breakfast was always tired – dropping things and never see you. This hotel can hardly get four stars - definitively doesn’t worth five.