Sofitel Istanbul Taksim — Hotel in Beyoğlu

We stay in Sofitel hotels a lot. This was the most disappointing experience we’ve ever had. It started at check-in. Despite arriving after the advertised check-in time, we were told our room was going through ‘final inspection to make sure it was perfect’ and would be ready in 15 minutes. Given we are Accor Platinum, we asked to wait in Club Millesime - more on that later. We were shown to the bar area and offered a free drink. An hour later and in desperate need of a shower after a very hot flight from Dubai, we asked what was going on. After being met with vague responses, a Guest Relations manager intervened. She showed us down to the ‘club’. Hah. Apart from some very stewed Turkish tea and a pot of coffee, there were no amenities whatsoever. ||About 15 minutes later, we were given the keys to a room on the 2nd floor overlooking the Bosphorus. The state of the room was hardly perfect. All the mirrors were dusty and smudged but c’est la vie. We were too tired/bothered to worry about that. We were even too tired to shower that night, just heading back to the club for evening drinks and canapes. Don’t get excited about the evening drinks offering. Local red/rose/white wine or beer. No spirits, no cocktails. Water, soft drinks. The rose/white wines were barely chilled, stuffed into an ice bucket. The water was not chilled at all. The range and quality of the food, however, was decent.||The next morning we were heading out for a tour, so went down to breakfast first. Other reviews here have described the offering at La Table as exceptional. I struggle to understand how that’s possible. There was no love/care shown to the display. Cut fruit was just tumbled onto a platter and, when ordering an omelette, it was delivered to the table mangled and completely overcooked. On subsequent mornings, the omelette improved slightly but was way below a professional standard of cooking. The range and quality of local foods for breakfast was also very disappointing.||We sat in the ‘club lounge’ for breakfast. The doors are merely thrown open for breakfast and there is nothing apart from the aforementioned tea/coffee there. You go into La Table next door and get what you want to eat and bring it back.||Anyway, back to the room and into the shower. This particular room had a raised floor in the bathroom for the shower/bath. The moment we turned on the shower head, water flooded out over the step and through the bathroom/entry way. We cleaned up as best we could, reported it to the front desk staff who shrugged and said they’d report it, and headed out for our tour. On return, we turned on the shower. Immediately the water started surging over the lip of the step. We went back to the front desk who said the problem had been fixed. Sigh. When we said it hadn’t, we were offered another room on the 4th floor. It was much better, with no raised platform in the bathroom and an alcove with a small seat overlooking the water. ||In many other Sofitels I’ve stayed in, there is a pillow menu. Not here. It took 3 days and one of the few helpful staff members to track down a softer/lower pillow.||Be aware that the rooftop bar has music which, interestingly, seems to start at 10pm. Bring ear plugs if that’s your preferred time to sleep.||There is also a rooftop pool. If you’re seeking a shady spot to sit by it, you’ll have to go in the morning. There are around 8 sun lounges but it’s not a particularly relaxing spot, surrounded by air-conditioning plants. We didn’t use the gym/hammam/indoor pool in the basement.||On departure, which was very early in the morning, we went to reception to check-out to be greeted by a distinct odour of cigarette smoke. I get it that smoking is a big thing in Istanbul and there is an external bar about 30 metres from the front desk which allows smoking/hookahs but this was 3am and the bar was closed. Not a pleasant experience.||A few factors stopped me giving this hotel the lowest rating possible. Muzaffer, who serviced our room on the 4th floor, did his utmost to help. A couple of staff members in the restaurant area were also quite pleasant. The wi-fi was fast and worked reasonably well.||Club Millesime however, was a total bust. If you don’t have Platinum/Diamond status with Accor and get it included, you’d never pay extra for this. It was absolutely the worst club lounge, from any brand, I’ve been in - outside of the US.||I just can’t get my head around how this hotel won a Traveller’s...

An Unforgettable Stay: Sofitel Taksim's Exceptional Service, Especially Kaan Öztüreğen! My recent 8-day stay at the Sofitel Taksim was nothing short of extraordinary, and it solidified my decision to choose this hotel. As a solo traveler navigating a new country with significant anxiety, the level of personalized care and genuine warmth I received was truly priceless. Unparalleled Concierge, the standout individual who transformed my trip was Kaan Öztüreğen. He is, without a doubt, the very best. From the moment I arrived, my anxiety levels were at 100, but Kaan's hands-on assistance immediately put me at ease. For eight full days, he was my unwavering guide. He helped me navigate transportation, whether it was explaining how to use Uber or personally directing me to taxis. He meticulously helped me plan my daily activities, ensuring I had a seamless experience exploring the city. Dinner reservations? Handled with expertise. What truly set Kaan apart was his constant accessibility; I had direct access to him throughout my entire stay, and he answered every call or text promptly. He made me feel incredibly comfortable and safe, which, for a solo traveler with anxiety, is the highest praise possible. My decision to choose Sofitel was entirely validated by its exceptional service. The Spa & Wellness Beyond the daily comforts, the hotel's spa services were a highlight. I experienced my very first Hammam, which was wonderfully done by a lovely lady from Ethiopia. Her gentle guidance and expert technique made my introduction to this traditional Turkish bath a truly memorable and relaxing experience. I also took advantage of the Red Carpet Service, meticulously performed by Deniz. She was outstanding, incredibly thorough and meticulous in her care and service, leaving me feeling pampered and refreshed. The Sofitel team, Beyond Kaan, and the spa team contributed to a flawless experience. The breakfast team, led by Yusuf and Guven, created a welcoming start to each day. Every morning, as I arrived, my preferred beverages were already waiting at my table – a small but incredibly impactful gesture that spoke volumes about their attentiveness and dedication. This level of personalized service was truly priceless. The Front Desk staff were equally impressive, consistently helpful from my first day to my last. Yağmur, with her beautiful smile and warm greetings, always made me feel welcome. She is an amazing young lady whose genuine warmth made a significant difference. Tibet, also at the front desk, was invaluable, patiently answering my many questions and assisting me with everything from directions to retrieving delivered packages, always offering help with a proactive attitude. Even the bellmen were fantastic. Sitting in the lobby, people-watching, I was genuinely amazed by their seamless coordination and efficiency in navigating traffic, cars, and luggage with such ease. Their teamwork was a joy to observe. My trip to Türkiye was terrific, and the country itself is beautiful. However, I must emphasize that the team at Sofitel Taksim is truly priceless. Their collective effort, personalized touches, and genuine care made my stay unforgettable. I will miss them dearly, and while I may not remember everyone by name, I will certainly remember that this stay was flawless and worth every single cent. Thank you, Sofitel, well done...

Due to delays, my partner and I arrived at the hotel late at around 11pm. Upon arriving, a staff member (no name tag as shown in the picture) at the reception, uttered the word “yes” in a bemused tone as if to say “what are you doing here?” I then said we have a reservation for a room and he then proceeded to grab mine and my partner’s passport out of my hands without even asking whose name the reservation is under. No welcome, no smile and in fact he was sour the whole time. Absolutely zero information given about the hotel (WiFi, facilities etc.)

We were then given the room card numbered 8XX but this is extremely misleading as the room was not on the eighth floor but instead on Basement 2 level. The room is located adjacent to a busy and noisy side street. Apparently, all the “superior” rooms are located within this section of the hotel.

The next day I vented my frustration about the check-in incident to a supervisor and even he did not really have the skills on handling the guest. He even had the audacity to ask us whether the night receptionist was being rude. At no point attempting to diffuse the situation. Incidentally, I used to work part-time in hospitality during my university time and have experienced that usually a drink voucher or breakfast voucher would not only help in reducing the tension and frustration but would also increase your profile as a supervisor/employee. It is apparent that all these skills are well above the employees at this hotel.

Also, another niggling point is the bathroom door handle. As you can see from the picture, it has not been installed the right way and which makes the opening and the closing of the door challenging. If you have arthritis, you would do well to avoid staying at this hotel or in this so-called “superior” room anyway.

It seems that I am not the only person who has experienced poor service from this hotel. Many other recent reviews voiced the same dissatisfaction and the “Guest Experience Supervisor” who is probably the employee I spoke to, gave the ever standard reply. It shows the lack of skills and knowledge required for the job. It is all down to the General Manager who is either useless or clearly do not care.

It is such a shame about the hotel because Istanbul itself is a lovely city with a lot to offer to tourists and we have definitely enjoyed our time there despite the unpleasant...