The Elysium Taksim

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.”

“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 honestly don’t understand how this hotel is rated 5 stars. During my stay, I had to change rooms 3 times (1002, 1108, and 1003) because the AC wasn’t working properly. Every time I complained, they told me the hotel was full and asked me to come back the next day. Imagine having the same issue in 3 different rooms and being told “come back tomorrow” every single time. The rooms also weren’t as clean as expected. I found hair in different places, and the furniture, floors, and walls showed a lot of wear and tear. Housekeeping was poor. Most of the time they just made the bed and left. On one occasion, a staff member knocked on my door and entered only a few seconds later without waiting for a response, which was very unprofessional and uncomfortable. Overall, this was nowhere near a 5-star experience. I would not recommend this hotel at all.”

“We had a very pleasant stay at The Elysium Taksim. This 5-star hotel is located in an excellent area, only about 500 meters from Taksim Square, which makes it very convenient for exploring Istanbul. The rooms are comfortable and well maintained, and the overall atmosphere of the hotel is very nice. What truly stood out was the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, especially the customer service and guest relations team. A special thanks to “Ms. Veronica” and “Ms. Elvina” , as well as the reception desk staff, for their warm hospitality and excellent support throughout our stay. They made us feel very welcome and cared for. The only point that could be improved is the breakfast, as we felt it did not fully match the overall quality of the hotel. Other than that, everything was wonderful. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a comfortable and well-located stay in Istanbul!”

“UPDATE July 2026: This hotel is a scam. Customers, please be aware and believe the bad reviews when you see it! They gave us a refund receipt for our security deposit at check-out, but the credit never appeared on our credit card statement. When we disputed the charge with our bank, we were informed that the hotel claimed we had used the minibar which we never used. Do not blindly trust the deposit refund process or give your money to this hotel. I have stayed at numerous hotels in the world but never experienced anything like these scamsters! May 2026:This hotel does not meet the standards expected of a 5-star property. Only plus was the location. - Check-in after a long flight was extremely slow, with only one person managing the front desk for a hotel of this size. - The room was not properly prepared upon arrival. The bathroom had no trash can or soap, and one of the upstairs phones did not work. - Housekeeping service was poor. Coffee and other basic items were not replenished unless we called the front desk. - Even when housekeeping staff were nearby, asking for simple things like water bottle replenishment resulted in being told to call the front desk instead of them grabbing it from the storage room right next door. - Front desk staff came across as rude and often did not let guests finish speaking. Most of the time there seemed to be a line of people waiting to speak to the front desk or people were complaining about something or the other. - The microwave in the room did not work. Even after a technician came to “fix” it, it still did not work. Eventually we gave up because by then we were tired of dealing with repeated issues and just wanted to get out of the hotel. - Check-out was equally frustrating. Guests are told to come down 10 minutes earlier because deposit refunds require a “manual” credit card process. I’ve traveled globally and have never experienced this at a 4- or 5-star hotel. So keep that in mind if you have a driver waiting to pick you up as my driver had to wait additional 10 mins or if you have an airport ride. - Elevators barely worked and took an extremely long time during the day. They only seemed reasonably functional late at night when there were fewer people using them. - I also noticed many hair transplant patients staying here, so clinics may be contracting with this hotel. Patients should be aware and consider asking their clinic for a different hotel option during treatment stays.”