Mercure Istanbul Taksim - A wonderful stay! (Picture intensive)

100   Recommended
November 3, 2015 by EXPERT

 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended
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Mercure Istanbul Taksim
 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended

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Liked:
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Amenities
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This review is a long time coming and I apologise for the delay. My stay was at the end of August. As a loyal Turkish Airlines passenger this was to be our first step onto Istanbul - past immigration - soil. It didnt cost more to stop over (from the flight ticket perspective) and we asked ourselves why not spend a couple of days in IST to just get a "feel for Turkey" - and what a good decision it was.

With Goldorak's wonderful review, I decided to spend some well earned Accor points at the Mercure Taksim and booked a Jr Suite room with City View. Seeing how proactive Deniz was on this thread I also sent he a short email and she promised to make our first Istanbul stay a memorable one - and how well her team delivered!

Check In

We arrived at IST and I had arranged a airport transfer with a local service. It was quick, cheap (same price as a taxi) and without any fuss.

I knew from the online photos that the Mercure building from the outside wasnt anything special - and that is the case. It's not far from Taksim square and had a supermarket 30 steps from the door.

We checked in VERY early (I think it was 8am) and everything was ready. A day prior to our departure Deniz emailed and mentioned that shewould beaway but that everything was ready. And so it was.

Check in was fuss free and all vouchers etc were issued. I asked if we could have our "breakfast upstairs" and what time the evening canape was. And that was where (in my opinion) the only issue of the stay came - there was no more lounge benefit. We could avail to the lounge "room" - but it was decided by the hotel management to reduce the hotel executive room rates and no longer offer the lounge benefits. (and until today I maintain that this was a very bad decision).

Room

We took the lift to the top floor. That is the floor where all the Executive rooms are located, opened the door and it was increadible. The room was still a Jnr Suite, but Deniz had arranged us to be upgraded into the Bosphorus View room with Balcony. Looking at the floorplan, there are only 2 Jr Suites and 1 Suite with Balcont and Bosphorus view. And of all 3 suites, only our had a "Bosphorus View" shower. The bed was wonderful comfortable, room had a Nespresso machine and everything else one would expect to find.

The balcony had two lounge chairs and additionally a table with chairs. I will let the pictures do the "talking".

(note: you can see the Topkapi/Bluemosque) from the balcony - but they are a bit far away - I dont have a good image of that so I didnt upload).

Dining

In view of the "lack of lounge". We had our breakfast in the restaurant.

And this restaurant certainly makes up the lack of a lounge for breakfast - You have a large choice of western and middle eastern dishes, eggs to order and Coffee (Cappuccino etc) served. The chef was on hand to take us through the various dished and struck up long conversations with my wife on turkish deserts and the way to bake them (my wife is a baker). And it is certainly worth the money! I can't recall how much it was, and added to the fact we were only charged half the amount (I dont know why) it was certainly a good deal.

Overall

Even though I used Accor vouchers, the cost of this stay (3 nights) was EUR660.00 andit was certainly worth it enough that I would spend the same amount in cash for my next trip.

I would not hesitate to stay here again and the service and dedication by the staff of the Mercure Taksim wonderful. Thank you also to Deniz for arranging a memorable stay.

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