The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

We had a good stay overall and were treated very well by the staff, but there were a few areas where the experience didn’t fully meet expectations. Lounge experience: I realize this part is 100% my fault, I forgot that my status did not include access to the executive lounge. While disappointed, I in no way hold that against the hotel. However, there is a separate Bonvoy lounge available for status guests, but it felt perfunctory at best and extremely underwhelming. The space was quite dark, zero windows, and not especially inviting. The main benefit was access to bottled water 24:7. Food offerings were extremely limited and often completely empty. Snacks (such as very small jars of sesame cookies and coconut crisps) were frequently empty, and breakfast pastries were put out in very small quantities (12 ish) and always gone well before midday. During a four-night stay, I only saw a croissant available once in the afternoon. Another bit about the lounge, one morning in the lounge, I was there early (around 6:30–8:30am) and about a dozen hotel staff members cycled in and out of the locked lounge to make their own morning coffees on the lounge machine. Only one of which acknowledged my presence and asked me about my day and if it was alright by me for them to get a coffee. Of course , it was fine! But none of the rest acknowledged my presence. It felt quite a bit awkward. So all that was insult to injury of not having access to the executive lounge (which I can’t complain about and didn’t) Housekeeping detail: I used the bathtub one afternoon and it was not cleaned afterward for the remainder of our stay (four nights). As someone who enjoys a bath after long sightseeing days, this was disappointing, and I ended up not using it again. Sunset cruise / hotel communication issue: We also experienced a significant miscommunication between the hotel, the staff of a sunset cruise the hotel arranged, and us. Prior to departure, hotel staff confirmed that the cost of the cruise could be charged to our room bill. Based on that confirmation, we did not bring much cash with us. However, halfway through the cruise, staff unexpectedly STRONGLY insisted on cash payment only. We explained that we had been told it would be billed through the hotel, but there was confusion between the cruise staff and the hotel. After about 15 minutes of back-and-forth, including staff stepping away to clarify internally, they ultimately agreed to accept a credit card payment. They were clearly reluctant to do so and preferred cash, which created an avoidable and uncomfortable situation during what was otherwise meant to be a relaxing experience. We just didn’t have the cash on us, so they had to take what we had. Totally avoidable. Private guide: We also arranged a private guide at significant cost. Unfortunately, this was a weaker part of the experience. While knowledgeable, the guide frequently became frustrated when we asked questions or deviated from his prepared narrative. He also spent time sharing personal opinions and tangents that didn’t always relate to the sites we were visiting. We would have preferred a more flexible approach that welcomed curiosity and discussion, and going forward will be more specific when requesting a guide style. Lastly, I have allergies and asthma. I am super sensitive to perfumes and this hotel uses a signature scent that, to me, was sprayed too liberally in the hall. The scent is also in all the soap and lotions. I really disliked the smell and it was so strong and everywhere. After a shower using it, I was super itchy that night. I asked for if they had any soap without scent that they could put in my room. They did not. I had to go buy my own. I’ve only had a negative reaction to signature scents once before, the Paris Park Hyatt, years ago. I wish I had known it would be sprayed so liberally. I would have chosen a different hotel. We really loved our room cleaning staff. They were so nice and friendly. However we couldn’t figure out when they would be coming by. There was no repeated schedule. And on the first day of the 2 robes was missing after the room was cleaned. It didn’t come back. 2 days later we called down and qsked for a second one. It didn’t show up that day. They following day we asked hr cleaning staff directly and they brought 2 robes. We then had 3 but not complaining. So, Overall, the stay was fine and the staff were kind, knowledgeable and great to work with generally, but these issues kept it from being as seamless or polished as expected at this level. And after a day in the fresh air coming back the hotel, that perfume smell hit me and just made for a suboptimal experience for me multiple times a day. So I short, Good but not great. Everyone treated us well but there were a few hiccups that shouldn’t have happened.

My stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul was overall a very enjoyable experience and one I would gladly repeat. The hotel has many strong qualities, especially when it comes to hospitality and location. Check-in was flawless — warm, welcoming, sincere, and professional from the very beginning. A special thank you to Safa, Assistant Director of Rooms, Aiganym, and Barış in the lobby for making the arrival experience feel genuinely personalized. The cold towels and welcome drinks were a thoughtful touch, although ironically the sparkling wine served was flat and tasted a bit old. Still, the overall arrival and lobby experience was easily 10/10. The generosity regarding the room upgrade, early check-in, and late check-out was truly appreciated and added a lot to the stay. The room itself was extremely spacious, beautifully maintained, and the bed was exceptionally comfortable. The rooftop pool area (“The Roof”) is visually stunning. The setting and Bosphorus views are incredible — honestly an Instagram paradise. However, the service there was inconsistent. Despite the area being relatively quiet with several staff members present, it was often difficult to get attention, and at times it felt like foreign guests received more attentive service. That said, Umut and Yusuf stood out for their professionalism, attentiveness, and kindness throughout the experience. Cocktails at the pool bar were unfortunately underwhelming — mediocre at best — so I would recommend sticking to classics like a gin and tonic. The food was also somewhat disappointing overall: overly greasy, and even simple snacks like fries looked as though they were made from tiny leftover pieces rather than properly prepared fresh-cut fries. Small luxury details, such as branded pool towels, could also elevate the experience significantly. The spa and indoor pool area, on the other hand, were excellent. Beautiful facilities and genuinely kind staff made it one of the more relaxing parts of the hotel. Breakfast at Atölye was probably the service highlight of the entire stay — truly 100/10 service. Having breakfast overlooking the Bosphorus is priceless. The team there was attentive, polished, and welcoming throughout every morning, and a special thank you to Elif Naz, Nilda, Büşra, Utkan, Eyüp, and Burak for their exceptional hospitality and professionalism. The food selection itself was good, though the actual flavors were more average than exceptional. The sucuk and menemen were fairly standard, the cheese selection felt surprisingly limited for Türkiye, and many baked items like börek were noticeably greasy. There were also a few small details that, if improved, could move the experience closer to the level of ultra-luxury properties such as Aman, The Peninsula, or Four Seasons. For example, offering small side plates for olive pits, cleaning or replacing utensils more proactively, and wiping tabletops more frequently would make a noticeable difference. One unfortunate moment was overhearing an employee using inappropriate language on the restaurant floor, though she immediately realized it and tried very hard to compensate professionally afterward. The location of the hotel is fantastic — central and very convenient to many of Istanbul’s most popular areas and attractions. Overall, I would rate the hotel 8/10. Despite some inconsistencies in food and poolside service, the warmth of many staff members, the beautiful setting, generous hospitality, and comfortable accommodations made this a memorable stay. Would I stay again? Absolutely.

So, we thought staying at a Ritz Carlton would be a great experience but unfortunately this is the first RC we've stayed at that missed the mark. It is more of a Marriott or JW, but definitely not RC. PROS: Excellent security measures in place Everyone was very nice and friendly and the staff tries hard at lobby, front desk but they need training Room and bath were nice, clean Bed was comfortable CONS: Front desk needs training - had to call management when we PRE-PAID the prior night's stay due to a 5am arrival. Was told, by the front desk agent, I had a room on the 14th floor until checkout before noon that day (it was 5am) and then I would have to leave that room and go into another room at 4pm that same day. I was like, you cannot be serious. We prepaid the room in order to have OUR room for the next 4 days, without having to checkout and then check back in, etc. The man called the manager on duty and said, congrats, you can stay in your room! Like I won something. I was stunned and just gave them my credit card for incidentals and went to take a nap before our pre-arranged (by the concierge) private tour at noon. At 8:25am, we were woken by housekeeping ringing the doorbell asking when we were checking out so they could turn over our room. I called the front desk, they apologized, but we were already woken up. He said it was an error, they forgot to tell housekeeping. there would not be another issue. We went to have our included buffet breakfast, to say it was NOT GOOD is being kind. Food was so bland and lukewarm or cold and just unappetizing. Worst breakfast I've seen. they need to work on this. It is not good. Left for our tour and upon returning, our keys did not work because THEY HAD CHECKED US OUT and we had to get NEW KEYS. They apologized again. We went to eat at NOBU, charged it to the room. Next day, no issues until dinner when we ate at the Italian Restaurant. Dinner was just OK, service was so so. We charged to the room and as we got up to leave the waiter, very rudely and loudly said to my husband, SIR YOU HAVE NO CREDITS! you cannot charge to your room! You must pay now! we were stunned, as they have my credit card on file. We paid on our credit card, went BACK TO THE FRONT DESK, and they apologized again, they did not collect enough of a deposit We gave them our credit card again where they charged another $600 in deposit, no issue. The next day we missed the free breakfast and I asked for a 30 minutes later check out, in person. They said no problem. We went to have breakfast and ordered a la carte and it was very good. We charged to the room and left to go get our bags in our room and our keys did not work, they checked us out again, AFTER I specifically asked for 30 minutes more. I went to the front desk again and the server RAN AFTER MY HUSBAND YELLING, SIR YOU HAVE NO CREDITS!! the hotel had $600 of our money. As I was working out our keys to get back upstairs, my husband came up to the desk to tell them the server said we couldn't charge to the room. The assistant manager was whom I was speaking with, he agreed that it was just another error. I asked for the manager, he said he was the manager. I was LIVID and said look at our folio and look at ALL THE MISTAKES that have happened since check-in. He agreed they dropped the ball. We just wanted to leave. SIDE NOTE: We were put here by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. There was NEVER a representative available at the hotel for our entire 4 night stay. Each time I asked someone at the Ritz where the rep was they had no idea what I was talking about. At the very least, call your sales team and ASK THEM! Just really bad RC. Our last night we went to the Peninsula Hotel and would recommend staying there instead of this hotel. Better location and impeccable service and the restaurant is AMAZING!!!

It was a great you staying at this lovely hotel and especially for taking care about our comfort which was kindly provided by Beril.

I am so glad we stayed at the Ritz in Istanbul. It is in a great location, across from the Bosphorus and 5 minute walk from Dolmabahce Palace. The second you walk in, their hospitality is unmatched. I was able to experience my first hammam at their spa with Nissa. She was so wonderful and it was a great experience. Their spa is beautiful and you’re given a ton of privacy.