Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel

This is a really nice hotel, with really nice people that helped check me in and also take bag to my room. I love the bathroom, how they have the really nice walk-​in shower and the big window to see into the bedroom, if you do want privacy there is a sliding door inside the bedroom that you can push in front of the window. The bed are very soft, anytime Iaid down in it, I was almost instantly in LALA land! The room service menu is superb, I mean so many great choices, I actually looked at the menu for about 45+ mins lol. Finally went with the salmon, which was really good if you wanted to know. The view I had from my room was good, I was looking over the city, even though I secretly wished I had requested the other side with the Bosphorus bridge. Lastly the breakfast in the morning is phenomenal!!!

I had a great view from a corner room .Go upstairs to the bar, order a Raki and you’ll have even a better view. Your not in tourist centerville here and it’s a relief! In what is sometimes called Old Town, you get a bit tired of people constantly trying to sell you stuff. Here you can escape that. They also have decent beds, an apparent rarity in Turkish hotels. I also liked the staff here. The young men helping out with doors taxis, luggage etc– actually gave me helpful directions. Upstairs at the bar, I didn’t have my room key which I needed to get to my floor below. The young woman who was the hostess went down and got me a key, which was very nice of her. Meanwhile while i was standing outside the bar a waiter engaged me in conversation. i was as I often do, wearing ear plugs (not an eccentricity I need them at times because of tinnitus).He pointed to my ears and said — what are they? I explained and said Istanbul is really noisy. He agreed and said that’s a good idea (Ear plug makers take note).By the way, people seem fascinated by ear plugs in Turkey. I was on the steps of a Mosque near the Grand Bizarre and the security guard asked me about them and we had quite the friendly discussion. I visited a school in Anatolia and one of the little kids pointed to my ears and indicated interest. I never realized ear plugs could stir such interest !

A splendid modern hotel in one of Istanbul’s best neighborhoods: Besiktas.
This hotel is exceptional not only for it’s cleanliness, cool marble everywhere (including rooms) but moreso for the attentiveness of its staff.
Now let me tell y’all that I have been on the road since 1995 and have travelled the globe. For the last 10 years I have been a Marriott guy-​having achieved platinum (now gold). Experience has enlightened me that a hotel stay ultimately rests upon the demeanour and service of PEOPLE not technology, fancy furniture and well stocked buffets. Please have a listen:
At the Aksaray metro station I was waiting for a taksi, when I noticed one had the «Marriott Renaissance Bosporus» on the doors– where my reservation was. Although I suspected that it was NOT a hotel vehicle, I would be better getting in this cab as opposed to another, since this guy was advertising the hotel. En route, said taksi man poiinted out a closed exit saying, «…big problem» road closed must take long route and he pulled over to the shoulder and keyed 75.00 Turkish lira into his cellphone for the long route. I haggled with him down to 50.00 TL. the «long route» was only like 5 – 10 minute drive. Since I only had euros on me I told the taksi man to wait while I make change at check in. He began to get very nervous.
I was checked in by Ali– who was very professional. When I indicated that taksi man wanted 50.00 TL from Aksaray, he nearly dropped his keyboard and immediately summoned hotel security to discuss the matter with taksi man. Ali advised that the route would never exceed 25 – 30 traffic depending. The security peeps were out there yelling at taksi guy and pointed to the hotel logo on his door. Since I felt bad for being the cause of this commotion I told security I was happy to give taksi guy 40 TL so he can make aliving too, and I apologized for the situation, the security guys and one lady insisted that this is their duty to me as a guest, and that it was a routine thing they do on a daily basis. They kept asking me if I was sure to give 40, that they thought it was too much. Ali did confirm that the exit was in fact closed due to the Istanbul Marathon but 50 or 75 was too much. Taksi man was visibly trembling and teriifed.
Later that evening I received a call in my room from the security supervisor who had been briefed on the episode. He indicated he was sending security to my room with 20 TL. When I told him that this was unfair to the hotel, he told me that he had contacted the taksi owner/​driver and asked that he deliver 20 Tl to the hotel for me, ie the hotel had collected it for me.
SO I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE, PROTECTION, DILIGENCE, HONESTY, and GOOD FAITH TO A HOTEL GUEST IN MY 48 YEARS OF LIFE ON THE PLANET.
I relayed the story to Nazli, a very personable coffee bar attendant. Nazli apologized for the few dishonest cabbies in Istanbul, and indicated that the hotel recognizes that there are bandito taksi people and tries to correct these situations when they arise.
The food was wonderful– wonderful Turkish breakfast try the the wrinkled bitter olives– simply delicious, and the clotted cream with honey. Room was immaculately clean— i found myself picking up odd papers etc, so as to preserve the rooms perfection.
It is hotel staff like these that lead to repeat business, happy customers and the Marriott name to be solid as granite.
I cant wait to go back.

Good hotel part of Marriott group. Even the base rooms are good and you have the Bosphorus view option with a small extra.
I didn’t tried the restaurant.