A Seriously Misleading Five-Star Hotel – Very Disappointing Experience The hotel’s five-star classification is seriously misleading and does not reflect the actual standard of the property. Based on our experience, this hotel deserves three stars at best. The furniture is old, worn out, and poorly maintained, clearly reflecting a lack of proper upkeep. The hotel also appears to be severely understaffed, which negatively affects the overall quality of service. Even more disappointing, the hotel offered a suite instead of the room we had originally reserved, creating confusion and raising concerns about how reservations are handled. To make matters worse, guests are then asked to give a higher rating on Booking.com. This is completely inappropriate and raises serious questions about the hotel’s approach to guest feedback. Ratings should reflect the actual guest experience, not be influenced by requests from the hotel. For a property claiming to be five-star, this standard is simply unacceptable. The outdated furniture, poor maintenance, inadequate staffing, and questionable practices regarding room reservations and guest ratings are far below what any guest should expect. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone expecting a genuine five-star experience. The hotel management needs to improve its standards and focus on providing the quality of service it claims to offer, rather than relying on a misleading classification and asking guests for better ratings.
The Elysium Taksim
Address: Inonu, Harbiye Cayiri Sk., No:1, 34373 Sisli TaksimAvailability
Description
Facilities
Reviews
Overall, we had a very good stay at The Elysium Taksim. The location is great and very close to Taksim Square. However, the road leading to the hotel is quite steep, so walking uphill can be a bit tiring, especially if you’re traveling with a young child and a stroller. The staff were friendly, polite, and helpful. Whenever we had a request, they responded and took care of it very quickly. We stayed in a Junior Suite, which was very spacious and comfortable. If you’re traveling with a young child, though, keep in mind that there are stairs inside the suite, which can be a little dangerous for toddlers. The room had a dishwasher, microwave, and iron, which was very convenient. However, there was no dishwashing liquid or dishwasher tablets provided. Kitchenware was also not available by default, but you could request it from the hotel. Bottled water was complimentary and could be replenished anytime, day or night, simply by asking the hotel. Overall, my wife, our two-year-old child, and I had a pleasant experience and enjoyed our stay.
We had a very comfortable and enjoyable stay at The Elysium Taksim, especially in our duplex room. The layout was very well designed and made the room feel just right for a longer stay. Downstairs, there was a kitchenette, a TV/living area, and a dining table, while upstairs had the bedroom, a spacious walk-in closet, and a separate toilet and shower area. It was comfortable, practical, and felt like a little home away from home. The entire staff was very responsive, friendly, and helpful. Check-in and check-out were smooth, and whenever we needed a ride somewhere, the staff would arrange a taxi for us and it would arrive very quickly, which made getting around Istanbul much easier. We also enjoyed breakfast at Fanus Restaurant. The restaurant was clean, and although the breakfast selection was quite similar each day, there was still enough variety and everything we tried was tasty and well presented. We also ordered room service from the restaurant twice, including main dishes. The food was well served, arrived quickly, and was enjoyable. We paid in cash, but card payment is also available. One nice detail for families is the small children’s play area inside the restaurant, which is suitable for younger kids around 1–4 years old. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay and would definitely come back. We hope to return again with our children next time!
We arrived expecting comfort and professional service, but instead we experienced several problems with the room and the staff. Our first room was on Floor 0, where the air conditioning was not working properly and the location of the room caused a complete lack of privacy. The replacement room also had problems, including a door that could not be closed correctly. This was a serious issue, but the reception team did not handle it with the urgency or professionalism we expected. The attitude of some staff members was one of the most disappointing parts of our stay. Rather than listening and helping, we felt that our concerns were ignored. A receptionist even responded with sarcasm and laughter when we were simply asking for a suitable room. The breakfast and overall hotel service also did not match the standards expected from a five-star hotel. The food selection was limited, and the same options were repeated daily. Eventually, we decided to check out and stay somewhere else. We moved to Barcelo Hotel, where we immediately experienced a completely different level of hospitality. The staff were welcoming, respectful, and professional. Having traveled internationally and stayed in many hotels, I know the importance of good service and proper management. The difference between the two hotels was very clear. I hope Elysium Taksim Hotel improves its management, staff training, and guest experience. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this hotel based on what we experienced.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’m giving this hotel 5 stars because I’m genuinely happy with the service and how the staff looked after us. This was my first time visiting Istanbul from Australia, and although the pool and sauna were closed for maintenance after our first day, the team handled the situation professionally. They went above and beyond to make things right, and I really appreciated the way they resolved the issue. It showed that they genuinely care about their guests’ experience. The breakfast buffet was a highlight of our stay. The fresh bread with the cream, honey and cherry jam was absolutely delicious and something I looked forward to each morning. Overall, we had a wonderful stay and left with a very positive impression. Thank you to The Elysium for your hospitality—I would happily stay here again.
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