The Marmara Taksim

The concrete-and-glass building of the Marmara Taskim hotel sits on a busy street right off of Taksim Square. With a renovation that was completed in 2015, the inside of the hotel features stylish, Art Deco-inspired decor with a futuristic twist. Guests are immediately greeted by escalators with clear red railings. The lobby has glossy black floors with tan circular designs and a wooden front desk with clear red plastic panels that complement a large red abstract piece on the wall behind the counter. Public spaces are elegant, especially the lobby lounge that’s made up of crimson rugs paired with modern, velour chairs and sofas in gray and red hues clustered around sleek black tables. Tuti Restaurant leans toward a lighter atmosphere with a beige and cream color scheme, wooden floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light. By contrast, Raika Restaurant has the intimate atmosphere of a pub, with wooden floors, leather and wooden seating, and low lighting -- combined with elegant elements like white tablecloths and brass chandeliers. It makes for a posh perch from which to enjoy a meal and panoramic views of the city and waterways. Guests here are mostly couples and business travelers drawn to the hotel for its upscale amenities, like its rooftop pool and meeting rooms. Travelers should note that there have been some complaints concerning elevator maintenance issues.

The hotel is located on the popular Taksim Square -- an area that exemplifies modern Istanbul. Though it’s filled with dining options, shops, and nightlife, it’s far from Istanbul’s most famous attractions in the Old City. Places like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and the Topkapi Palace are about a 15- to 20-minute drive away. There is a metro and a tram station right by the hotel, however, making it easy to explore different areas of the city. It’s a 35-minute drive to Ataturk Airport, and guests can opt to take the hotel’s airport shuttle service for a small fee (the shuttle is free for those who book Club Rooms or Suites).

Guest rooms in the Marmara Taksim are a less splashy and more subdued compared with the public spaces, but they're just as sophisticated. A soft coffee-and-cream color scheme runs through the decor including the stylish patterned rugs, heavy tan drapes, and sleek wooden accents. Windows are covered in lacy screens sporting a pinwheel pattern. All rooms include minibars, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and kettles. Club Rooms and Suites have Nespresso machines. Along with snacks, drawers are filled with personal items like panty hose, playing cards, and socks. Some rooms have views of the Bosphorous, Golden Horn, or Sultanahmet. The white marble bathrooms are luxurious, but vary in size -- though most provide a decent amount of space. They include showers or separate showers and jetted tubs, vessel sinks, illuminated mirrors, Molton Brown toiletries, hairdryers, and sometimes bidets. 

There are a plethora of services and facilities available at the Marmara Taksim. Highlights include an attractive rooftop pool with an attached children’s pool and pool service, plus an extensive fitness center with several rows of cardio and weight machines. There’s also a spa that offers massages, beauty treatments, baths, and saunas. This property doesn’t lack in dining options either. An extensive breakfast offers a variety of breakfast types, such as Turkish or American, and garners positive reviews from guests -- despite the fact that it’s not included in all room rates. Raika Restaurant serves regional dishes and provides panoramic views from the 20th floor, while Tuti Restaurant has an open kitchen concept. Both Tuti Bar and the Lobby Lounge serve drinks and snacks throughout the day. Room service is available 24/7. For those with a sweet tooth, the on-site Chocolate Shop sells handmade chocolates. Business guests are catered to with six fully equipped meeting spaces, a business center, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guests staying in upper-level rooms have access to the Club Lounge, which offers a free breakfast, plus snacks and drinks throughout the day, free shuttle service to the airport, and discounts. The hotel welcomes pets and offers private parking for a fee.