Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Istanbul City Center — Attraction in Şişli

Disappointed by One Unfortunate Incident Despite a Good Overall Experience

I recently stayed at Ramada Wyndham Hotel Plaza in Osmanbey, and my experience started off very positively. The room service, cleaning, and first impression were all excellent. The staff members I interacted with, from the kitchen to housekeeping and the reception team, were professional, warm, and helpful.

However, one unfortunate incident completely overshadowed my stay. A reception worker displayed a blatant lack of professionalism and respect when I attempted to have a guest in my room for a short while. Instead of explaining the situation clearly and professionally, he deliberately made a scene, refusing to take any initiative or find a solution. This interaction felt more like a display of personal bias rather than standard hotel policy enforcement.

While I fully understand cultural and religious sensitivities, particularly during Ramadan, professionalism should remain consistent in an internationally branded hotel. Hospitality is built on communication and service, not on making guests feel uncomfortable or disrespected. This particular employee chose to use their position to create an unnecessary power dynamic rather than resolving the situation appropriately.

After this incident, I briefly left the hotel, and upon my return, my room key no longer worked in the elevator, forcing me to go to the reception to address the issue. I don’t know whether my key was deactivated intentionally or if it was just a technical problem, but given the circumstances, it left me feeling even more unwelcome. Eventually, I had to speak to the reception team again, who were already aware of the situation and made efforts to show goodwill through small gestures, such as offering coffee or tea. While I appreciated their attempts, the core issue remained: professionalism and guest treatment should not be compromised under any circumstance.

My disappointment stems from the fact that, despite the overall great service from most staff members, this one moment of public embarrassment left a lasting negative impression. I want to clarify that I do not hold the entire hotel or brand responsible for the actions of one individual. However, it is crucial for an internationally operating hotel to ensure that personal biases do not affect guest experiences.

A key takeaway for the management: never judge a book by its cover. You never truly know who your guests are, what opportunities could arise from a single interaction, or how much weight proper communication carries in the hospitality industry. Policies and guidelines should be upheld professionally, without hiding behind excuses such as booking through a promotional platform or religious/cultural justifications. The only thing that truly matters in hospitality is intention, communication, and the willingness to provide seamless service.

I sincerely hope this feedback helps improve future guest experiences. While I acknowledge the apologies I received in person, some situations simply cannot be undone with a cup of coffee. Respect and professionalism should always be at the forefront of...

The location of the hotel is ideal for travelers who enjoy exploring the city. The metro entrance is just a few meters away, you simply need to follow the signs for Pangaltı or Dolapdere, as there are multiple entrances and exits for the Osmanbey Metro Station. This gives you great access to various parts of the city via metro, bus, or metrobus. However, I highly recommend using the metro, especially in summer, as the air-conditioned wagons offer a much cooler and more comfortable ride. It’s also a good idea to use the Moovit app for navigating public transportation in the city.

The hotel requires a deposit of $100 or €100, and if you plan to use their parking, expect to pay around 500 TL per day.

If you're planning to rent a car in Istanbul, I’d suggest staying at a hotel located a bit farther from the central public transport areas, preferably one that offers free parking and is in a quieter neighborhood. This hotel is located in the heart of Istanbul, a lively and touristic area, and it's best suited for visitors who want to be close to popular sights and vibrant city life.

For those who prefer a calmer area to relax and explore the city at a slower pace, I can recommend other hotel options outside of the busy center.

There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and you can also order food through mobile apps like Yemeksepeti. In addition, there are supermarkets and pharmacies within walking distance, so you’ll easily find whatever you need during your stay.

The hotel also features a small gym on the top floor, equipped with TechnoGym machines and free weights, making it suitable for a good workout during your stay.

One thing I found a bit uncomfortable was the behavior of the restaurant staff during breakfast. While I understand the intention is to keep the area clean and efficient, it felt like the staff were constantly watching and would rush to clear the table even before I had fully finished my meal. I've noticed similar behavior in several hotels in Istanbul, but here it felt a bit more intrusive. So just be aware that this is something you might experience.

Another point to mention is the swimming pool. The water was too cold to swim in, which was disappointing, especially since the hotel had even sent me a message beforehand reminding us to bring swimwear. Unless you're just planning to sunbathe, the pool isn't very usable in its current condition. It's more suited for those who want to relax and soak up the sun rather than actually swim.

Overall, we liked the hotel and would recommend it to travelers who don’t plan...

Extremely Disappointing Experience at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Istanbul City Center

Dear [Hotel Management],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my deep disappointment and dissatisfaction with the treatment I received during my recent stay at your hotel. I believe it is important to bring this matter to your attention for the sake of improving the quality of service provided by your establishment.

I made a reservation (Reservation Number: 382676409) for a room with a double bed through a website affiliated with your hotel. Unfortunately, the experience I had was far from satisfactory. Upon arrival, I was surprised to find that the room I received did not match my reservation specifications – it had two small beds instead of the requested double bed.

Furthermore, the treatment I received from a staff member named Mustafa was nothing short of appalling. After disclosing my nationality, I was asked to pay an additional hundred dollars as a guarantee, a request that was made in front of other guests. This experience left me feeling racially discriminated against, as if I were being unfairly singled out due to my background.

When I expressed my concerns about the room discrepancy and the unwarranted guarantee, Mustafa displayed a complete lack of professionalism. Instead of addressing the issue and offering a solution, he insisted that I either accept the room as it is or leave the hotel. His dismissive attitude was both disrespectful and unbecoming of someone in a customer service role.

Additionally, when I requested assistance with canceling the reservation, Mustafa was unhelpful and even went so far as to claim ignorance on how to cancel it. This left me with no choice but to reluctantly accept the room, further adding to my dissatisfaction.

I feel compelled to bring this matter to your attention, as I believe such behavior is not representative of the high standards I would expect from a reputable establishment like yours. It is disheartening to think that a staff member, particularly one in a position of responsibility, would display such blatant racism and disregard for customer satisfaction.

I sincerely hope that you investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure that other guests do not have to endure a similar experience. Discrimination has no place in the hospitality industry, and I trust that you will address this issue promptly.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I hope to see improvements in the...