Sofitel Istanbul Taksim

I stayed at two hotels with almost identical room tariffs when I was in Istanbul recently of which the Sofitel Taksim Square was one. Therefore, I had an unexpected basis of comparison and I have to say, overall the Sofitel falls well short of the other I stayed at.
Located just off extremely busy Taksim Square which is at the top of a hill, the Sofitel has good views of the Bosphorus although distant ones. I noted that maintenance is an issue – there was a cracked window in my room, a basin plug that didn’t work, slow drainage of water in the shower, and a general impression that maintenance is not a strong point as you moved around the hotel. It does have a ground level open terrace restaurant which is pleasant, but the executive lounge and breakfast rooms are located in the basement with no natural light and seem dark and dingy, although the food offerings are good.

Our review is very mixed. There were some parts of our stay outstanding and others disappointing.
Our first room on the 17th floor corner room had a nice view of the Bosphorus but like Zober review we were woken up two nights at midnight with the thumping of bass music from the nightclub below. When I told reception they were rather unsympathetic and said they didn't think you would hear the music from the higher up floors. I asked to move rooms - next door was perfect - although no view - very quiet. What was
Outstanding -was the housekeeping, Muzaffer was super helpful when I couldn't get the coffee machine to work - turns out it was faulty. Cleaning - perfect.
Breakfast buffet and the attention of Irfan was first class. The food variety was great and everything was fresh.

I had an amazing time at the spa. I did a two hour spa experience- hamman, massage, and facial. Deniz was amazing and made my skin glowing after all the services!

I recently stayed at Sofitel Taksim Istanbul with my family, and our experience was absolutely amazing. We had three rooms for six days, and everything exceeded our expectations. The hotel is spotless, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the location is perfect close to everything we needed.
The breakfast was excellent each morning, and I would like to extend a special thank you to Maher, Krisna, Ankit, Irfan, Guver, and Merve for their warm hospitality and wonderful service. They truly made our mornings enjoyable.
At reception, Hatice was incredibly helpful and kind throughout our stay, and the housekeeping team was attentive, detail-oriented, and always ready to assist.
We are really glad we chose Sofitel Taksim, and we look forward to staying again in the future. Highly recommended

Great location, excellent service, clean rooms, and great views of the Bosphorus. Muzaffer was great!
On our arrival on the night, there was a protest around the restaurant, and we couldn't get the car close. They sent staff to move our bags from the nearest parking spot we could find, which was a super nice gesture.

This hotel is certainly not a 5*. Shabby hotel and filthy. Same 30 year old furniture since the hotel was built.

Service despicable. There’s a nightclub on the rooftop in the next building (after doing research) and I’ve been trying to get to sleep past 3 hours - I’ve just called reception and they were unsympathetic as said noise is coming from the nightclub next door ! After complaining volume went down !

If you really want a 5* hotel standard and professional service go elsewhere

Shame on Accor

Great hammam and spa in the hotel with amazing team providing a relaxing and attentive service. Deniz was great to help provide assistance and recommendations. A must visit in the hotel

Had a couples hamem with Deniz. It was an amazing experience - just what we needed after traveling for the last 12 days!!!

We had a wonderful experience at this hotel! The concierge was incredibly helpful—going above and beyond to guide us to places we couldn’t find and recommending exactly where to go. It made our trip so much smoother.

Breakfast was delicious with a great variety to start the day right. The location couldn’t be better: Taksim Square was just steps away, and Istiklal Street was right there, so we didn’t need a taxi for shopping or exploring. Plus, the metro station was right outside the hotel, giving us easy access to the rest of the city. There were several excellent cafes Hafiz Mustafa and Moda as well as restaurants to dine at.

Highly recommend for anyone looking for comfort, convenience, and warm hospitality in Istanbul.

We contacted the hotel by email the day before. We inquired about upgrading to a suite for the highest Diamond status in AccorLimitless.
Garen Nazaretyan replied that upon check-in, if such rooms were available at the hotel, we would be upgraded.
We arrived in Istanbul.
We checked the suites on the Accor app.
Yes, the suites were available.
We took a taxi to the hotel.
Upon arrival at check-in, Okan told us that an upgrade to a suite was not possible because they were out of stock.
We showed them in the app that they were available and available for booking.
The answer was: yes, we have three suites, but we can't upgrade.
Why?
Because there aren't many left.
The first lie: there are no suites, but as soon as we showed them, they immediately appeared; there just weren't enough.
I show him the email with Garen and how he promised an upgrade if a suite was available.
Okan can't resolve anything.
He calls Candan, the guest relations supervisor.
She arrives in 20 minutes. She listens attentively to us.
Okay.
I'll contact Garen and resolve your issue.
And then she just disappears.
Another 20 minutes pass.
We wait.
We ask to speak to the general manager, but they tell us he's not at the hotel.
I don't know whether to believe this or not.
The receptionists ignore us, explaining that the case is complicated and we need to wait.
When we ask: what are we waiting for?
Is the room ready or is there a decision on our behalf?
The unprofessional staff can't answer any of these questions.
They just shrug their shoulders.
Terrible unprofessionalism.
Finally, after an hour and 10 minutes, a third person, Utku, arrives.
He listens to us again and says he won't upgrade.
We explain the situation and show him the email confirming that the upgrade will be granted if suites are available.
We explain that we specifically came to the hotel under these conditions.
That we have the highest Diamond status at Accor Limitless.
To which he again responds with something unintelligible, saying there are only three suites available and that the hotel is almost full.
The heartless Utku doesn't care at all.
I ask: why did Garen deceive us then, or are you lying?
They confirmed our arrival, and we're told there's no availability, even though there are rooms...
Who's lying?
No answer.
It turns out everyone at the hotel is lying: from the simple receptionist, Okan, to the reservations manager, Garen, and guest relations manager, Candan.
As a result, we waited 75 minutes for who knows what. We weren't upgraded, and we left the hotel in the silence of the unprofessional receptionists.
No one apologized or said goodbye, or tried to somehow resolve the situation.
Incidentally, we'd called the spa the day before, wasting our time booking treatments.
But no one at this hotel cares.
Avoid this hotel.
The staff here are liars and unprofessional.
We wasted a ton of time and stress, paid for two taxis to and from the hotel, and ended up with nothing.
A complete scam.
Avoid this dishonest place, the Sofitel Istanbul, if possible.

The place that is worth every riyal you pay, whether it is a very wonderful website, services or dealing with the ethics of the employees, especially thanks and appreciation of Mrs. Khadija in the reception for the great manners, high treatment, her high humanity, her dealing with the elderly, the wonderful language of communication and her proficiency in Arabic. She helped us several times. Every thanks to her. She must be a front of the hotel like her, especially thanks to Mrs. Kubra for her high-class treatment, her permanent smile and the splendor of her morals, and I do not forget Mr. John for his constant help to us. I recommend this hotel

Hello. This year I visited Istanbul with my wife 2 times. During our first visit we met wonderful woman in Sofitel - pianist Nadya. We decided that on our second visit we would come to listen to her. And we came, I want to share our impression. Nadya is really excellent musician! We liked her performance very much. She plays with her soul and creates special atmosphere at the hotel. She is a real artist and the face and status of the hotel! But I’m confused to see that professional pianist helps at restaurant with other things. For the first time in my life I met such a situation with professional musician and felt myself very uncomfortable. I think this is not good for status of 5* hotel.

We arrived on the 15 October 2025 our check in was made seamless and very pleasant thanks mainly to miss Hatice at the reception who was very pleasant and helpful throughout our stay a special mention to kadir who was always willing to assist both of these employees are an asset to your organisation

The check in was smooth-front desk staff was courteous,

Rooms are good and spacious,
Washroom needs a partition for,
the bathing area-a must,

House keeping team misses out on,
keeping tea bags at times.

Restaurant has just one kind of food,
Dry food for lunch and dinner as well,
needs to have more variates of food,

Breakfast buffet spread needs more,
Varieties of food and fruits,

The best part of this hotel is-their
Location,

over all a good stay,

Weldon Team Sofitel.

Capt Deepak Chadha ( veteran )

The location is great and the concierge was helpful and very attentive to our needs.

Hotel and room were amazing. The restaurant is not the best.

Water in the shower is Lukewarm despite speaking to reception a few times it was not sorted out . Housekeeping does not clean the rooms properly my young messed milk on the bed side after clean service desk was still dirty . This is my second visit to this place in 2 years however this visit was disappointing.

I wanted to share my feedback regarding my stay at the Sofitel Hotel Taksim. The wonderful people listed below truly deserve appreciation, positive energy, and
recognition for their hard work, their constant morning smiles, their warm hospitality, and their efforts to ensure that every guest feels happy and comfortable during breakfast.
Their dedication helps make every stay for each valued guest nothing short of exceptional.

I highly recommend everyone to visit and experience the Sofitel Hotel Taksim. You will truly enjoy the hotel's perfect location, the delicious food, and the outstanding assistance from the Sofitel team — especially the wonderful people mentioned below

Special thanks to:

• Mr. Emrah YILDIRIM, Front Office
Manager

• Mrs. Candan Çalap, Guest Experience
Supervisor

• Mr. Ercan Bay, Manager of the Main
Restaurant at Sofitel Taksim Istanbul
• Chef Birgul, for the amazing Turkish bakery
• Irfan , Ankit abd all waiters

OMG!! The roof top restaurant/bar is not only the best view in town but also the best party in town!! Belly dancers, music, vibe like no other!!

Excellent service, kind people, very clean.
The only thing I dont like it is the temperature of the water in the Pool, it was cold.