Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul — Hotel in Beşiktaş

Service: Very personalised service and I was impressed by the fact that within 1 day, most of the staff knew us by name. The level of service is probably one of the best in the world. Highly attentive and every single staff in the hotel are extremely professional, polite and kind.

Location: good for the view and it’s close to attractions like the palaces and also malls. We didn’t pay much for taxis because everything is relatively close.

Concierge: It was my first time in Istanbul and if not for the efficient concierge service who sent me a WhatsApp the first day, I’d be lost in the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. I was communicating with them for anything I needed like arranging taxis and also recommendations on where to go. Ece from Concierge was lovely as she knew where I was having dinner and she sent us a text during our dinner to checkout a nearby Jazz Club for post dinner drinks which I ended up going to and had a great time. I highly recommend to share your itinerary with the concierge upon arrival so that they can assist with give recommendations and etc.

Dining: They have their hotel’s lounge which has a wide range of enticing desserts and also a chill cosy outdoor dining (with heater for the winter) that has an amazing view.

The hotel also has The restaurant Novikov which is also excellent. The service in the restaurant matches the quality of the Hotel. They have Asian and Italian dishes so you are never bored. We ended up going there 3 times during our stay. On Friday & Sat, they have a DJ which was just epic (thanks to the supervisor Mehmet who told us to go and not miss it).

Butlers: they have an unpacking and packing service for the guests. Once they knew we were celebrating a birthday, the next day we were greeted by big balloons and a birthday cake in our room sent by the butler team.

MO Spa: this is the biggest spa in Turkey and probably also the biggest within the MO group. Pictures don’t do justice to show the beautiful spa. The Hammam room in particular is my favourite and I immediately booked for a treatment in the Hammam room. The moment you enter the spa, the staff will escort you to the changing room and make sure that you are well taken care of even if you are not there for a treatment. They even come to check on us and offer teas, coffee, yogurt drink (which is all complimentary) whenever we wanted.

Room: rooms are definitely luxurious and they did not spare any expense with furnishing and amenities. The interior is designed with a luxury yacht theme which perfectly blends with the beautiful view of the Bosphorus. Everyday there were hand sanitizers, masks, and wet wipes provided. They even gave us a complimentary bottle of good quality Turkish red wine with local sweets and fruits (perks of booking directly with them).

Gym: the gym is massive. It has the latest techno gym equipments and few private studios with one for spin class and even an aqua studio. Water and towels were all provided there. It even had a little courtyard in the middle of the gym which makes the place feel cosy and relaxing. The trainer (Engin) also checked up on me to see if everything was okay and was very friendly.

Breakfast: During breakfast, there are chefs behind the counter who will help to plate what you want and the waiter will take the plate back to your table so there is absolutely no contact or contamination. Everything is seamless and very organised. Their juices served is genuinely freshly pressed and taste amazing. You can also request for Turkish coffee or Turkish Tea and the hotel’s Turkish coffee is of very high quality and is served in a very nice plate set (comes with the coffee, small glass of water and a Turkish delight).

COVID-19 Measures: you will feel safe in the hotel because there are santisers everywhere, masks and anti bacterial wet wipes provided to rooms, social distancing...

A Staycation to Remember at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul – My 21st MO Experience

This stay marked my 21st visit to a Mandarin Oriental property, and I chose to take a brief but much-needed staycation during a hectic business trip. As always, MO delivers with excellence—here are the highlights:

What I Loved:

Exceptional Front Desk Service From the moment I arrived, the front desk staff impressed me with their warmth and attention to detail. They proactively offered a complimentary late check-out until 4 PM, allowing me to fully relax and enjoy my staycation without feeling rushed. Throughout the stay, every request was met with swift and thoughtful responses, reflecting the brand’s signature hospitality.

Legendary Butler Service by Efe Special mention to Efe, the butler who truly made this stay unforgettable. He seemed to anticipate my needs before I voiced them—like magic. Efe embodies the legendary service Mandarin Oriental is known for, and he’s a true asset to the property.

Well-Trained Staff at Room and Spa Whether it was room service or staff at the spa facilities, everyone I encountered was courteous, professional, and well-trained, contributing to a seamless and pleasant experience.

Stunning Dining at Olea The restaurant Olea was a standout. From the food to the panoramic views to the team’s infectious enthusiasm, dining there was a true highlight of the weekend.

Room for Improvement:

Breakfast Selection The breakfast spread felt limited, with à la carte options mostly focused on basic egg dishes and a predominantly Western-style buffet. For a luxury resort—and especially for a brand with Asian heritage—it was a bit disappointing to find no dedicated Asian breakfast offerings. I hope future breakfast menus can include a more diverse selection to better cater to international guests.

Room Upgrade Experience While I was upgraded one category, the new room was surprisingly smaller, lacked a desk and a bathtub, and offered only a modest mountain view. While perhaps a scenic upgrade, it didn’t suit my personal preference for spacious rooms. It would be great if, during check-in or upgrade confirmation, staff could ask whether a guest prioritizes room size or view—offering tailored options accordingly.

Despite a couple of minor issues, my weekend stay was delightful, and the high level of service truly made it a relaxing retreat. Thank you, MO...

Extremely Disappointed – Not Worthy of the Mandarin Oriental Name

This was our fourth and final stay at the Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul – and unfortunately, we leave with disappointment, frustration, and disbelief at how far this property falls below the standard one expects from a Mandarin Oriental.

Let’s be clear: the location is magnificent, the property itself is beautifully designed, and the view over the Bosphorus is absolutely stunning. That’s where the positives end.

The service, however, was consistently poor, unprofessional, and at times shockingly amateur – not just once, but every single time during our stay.

We had a serious emergency in the middle of the night, and the way the staff handled it was chaotic and completely unacceptable. There was no coordination, no urgency, and no training visible in how to deal with the situation. We were given wrong information, contradictory instructions, and had to deal with staff behavior that would be more fitting in a neglected backstreet hotel than a luxury five-star property. Even the taxi they arranged in that moment created more confusion and delay, and the communication with the driver was non-existent. In such a high-stress, urgent moment, the lack of professionalism and empathy was shocking.

But that wasn’t the only issue. Every single time we requested a taxi, we had to wait at least 10–15 minutes, sometimes even longer. There was no proactive coordination, no doorman presence, and no sense of urgency – we often felt like we were being ignored. For a hotel in this category, that is simply not acceptable.

Throughout the stay, we encountered staff with an arrogant attitude, lack of attention to detail, and a disturbing lack of basic hospitality training. No proper follow-ups, miscommunication at every level, and a general feeling that nobody is truly in charge.

The Mandarin Oriental name used to stand for excellence, discretion, and world-class service. Sadly, this property in Istanbul is a painful exception.

As loyal MO guests around the world, we had hoped that things would improve – but after four visits, we’ve seen a clear decline, not improvement.

We will not be returning and would strongly advise other travelers – especially those who value professionalism and true hospitality – to reconsider. A five-star view cannot make up for a one-star...