RİVERSİDE HOTEL — Hotel in Fatih

Our stay at this budget hotel was a nightmare due to a mouse infestation in our room. The mouse damaged our sealed tea and Turkish delight, disturbed our sleep, and left us feeling unsafe. The room itself was cramped, with poor air quality, likely due to a lack of cleaning. Gaps in the walls and corners seemed to be the mouse’s entry point. Additionally, the bathroom was inconvenient, with a missing shower door causing water to flood the floor. While we didn’t expect luxury, basic cleanliness and maintenance were severely lacking, and the room was not serviced during our stay.

The staff, though polite, were ineffective in resolving the mouse issue. When we reported it at 3 AM, the overnight receptionist tried to help with a broom and paper but was clearly unprepared. Promises of relocation or a clean room by morning were unmet. We spent the rest of the night unable to sleep, listening to the mouse digging its way out of the makeshift trap. By 7:30 AM, the receptionist, who was now asleep at his desk, said nothing could be done until someone checked out or the owner arrived. The owner finally showed up at 12:45 PM, hours late, and refused to offer any meaningful solution or compensation. We had already booked another hotel by then, as we couldn’t bear to stay another night.

We asked for a refund for one night or reimbursement for our damaged goods (a modest request of about 30 Euros), but the owner declined, insisting all he could do was move us to another room. This was unacceptable, as the mouse issue remained unresolved, and our peace of mind was shattered. The receptionist, while respectful, had no authority to make decisions and seemed more afraid of the mouse than we were.

Despite its good location and budget-friendly price, this hotel failed to meet even the most basic standards of cleanliness, pest control, and guest service. We left feeling disrespected and disappointed. For anyone considering this hotel, we strongly recommend spending a bit more for a place that prioritizes guest comfort and safety.

Due to Google’s character limit, this is a summary. For the full story, including how we nicknamed the mouse “Chapito Turk,” please read our detailed review on Agoda, the platform we used to book this hotel. We hope our experience helps others make an...

I booked a regular room on Booking.com. Since I am not able to leave review on that platform as Hotel closed that option I am leaving feedback here. Therefore rating on booking.com is completely misleading since genuine customers can’t leave feedback.

When I choose place to stay I keep attention to certain details.

In the description it was mentioned: soundproof, view, city view.

View - I expected to have a window as on the photos. However they gave a room without a window. Tiny one. The wall separating it from the next room was made of paper. I could hear absolutely everything what was happening there. After back and forth messages with manager they agreed to give me a room with the window. Solution - list room without a window as a separate option and a cheaper one. People who prefer to save money will choose it willingly, knowing that there is no window. It is a bad strategy give those rooms to customers and if they complain fix the situation.

Soundproof - please remove this statement from your description as it’s absolutely misleading. I could hear everything what was happening in the room next to mine. Running water, people switching on and off lights and all what they were talking about and not only that. Windows were not properly adjusted and closed so I could hear everything what was happening outside as well.

Some good points: Clean, white towels and bedding, hot water. The area is very local and isn’t pretty but it’s convenient, in the central part of the city, easy access...

Attractive although questionable renovation in the Vefa neighborhood. Many rooms on this property are without windows and you never know what you are booking.

Curtain that appears to be a window is an opening to a basement ventilation shaft.

Friendly Turkish speaking staff. Close to public transportation.

Owners response: Why do you write anonymously are you ashamed by photos of your hotel? It is not difficult to find fault with this property, If it is preferred additional photos can be posted. My review was very considerate and generous and the owner's response is typical of the poor guest relations experienced at this location. The head desk clerk Yusef was immediately notified that a room without a window was not acceptable and no action was taken to rectify the situation. He pointed to the ventilation shaft and indicated that was the window. Zero natural light and musty odor arising from the basement. If you are selling rooms without windows it should be clearly stated not as a surprise at check in. Also the hotel was notified immediately by Hotels.com that a room without a window was not satisfactory. This review is not an attempt to discredit anyone and is simply an exercise in honesty so other travelers can avoid this unpleasant experience. “Speak the truth even if it is bitter.” (Hadith) “The truth appears to be hate to those who hate the truth.” (Proverb) Beware of...