The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

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.

After dining at Nobu, I requested to calla yellow taxi. The bellboy told me just take the black van with the hotel logo and not informing me about the hiked cost. I specifically asked if there’s a meter and he said yes. In reality, they charge a flat fee of 500 liras plus some distance cost and the cost came to 780 liras for a trip that would have cost 250 liras by yellow taxi. When I had my own hotel manager call them, Ritz said they don’t allow yellow taxi to come pick up. This is insane for no transparency of cost and policy. I was scammed!!! Beware and don’t fall for this trap!!!

This is my first time in this hotel with this spa experience doing a Turkish bath. And Erna & Tiara were very sweet and professional.