Review: AC Hotel Istanbul Macka
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An affordable hotel with Marriott Bonvoy points
AC Hotel Istanbul Macka is a category 2 hotel, but it offers the amenities of a superior hotel.
This means that it costs between 10,000 and 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to stay overnight depending on the season.
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada, the easiest way is via one of these 3 credit cards:
- The Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
- The Marriott BonvoyMD Business American ExpressMD* Card
- The American Express CobaltMD Card
Each one offers a nice welcome bonus and the ability to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on each of your purchases.
You could have both Marriott Bonvoy cards and collect your points in your Marriott Bonvoy account!
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $191.88 |
As for the card Cobaltmᶜ American Express, it allows you to transfer your Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 1:1.2.
With the 5 membership rewards points per dollar you earn on:
- grocery stores
- restaurants and bars
- convenience stores
- food delivery at home
it is like earning 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar!
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
My review of AC Hotel by Marriott Istanbul Macka
Location
The hotel is located in the Beşiktaş district – known for its Soccer team – the JK Beşiktaş. By the way, their stadium is quite new and can help you find your way when you want to walk from the hotel to Taksim.
To get to AC by Marriott Istanbul Macka hotel through the new airport, I used the taxi (which cost 170 lira) and I have no regrets… considering the hotel is located on a slope. I guarantee you that after 5 days of going back and forth, my calves are super strong!
To geg to Taksim, it is very easy on foot, but once again, you have to go up and down: it takes about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the bus (42T or 559C) which takes you directly to Taksim. You can even take a ferry from Beşiktaş to Kadiköy (Asian side).
Although this hotel is not in the center of Taksim or Sultanahmet, it is still very well located and close to many tourist activities:
- Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy (place to go for a very good Kumpir),
- Close to the very large Yildiz Park (and its palace).
In short, I loved this hotel and its charming neighbourhood.
Its address: Vişnezade, Süleyman Seba Cd. No 75, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
Arrival
The staff is courteous and friendly. You can check in and check out through your mobile phone.
On arrival we have to scan our luggage; for the security freaks, this is perfect.
The reception (lobby) is a bit small when there are several of us arriving at the same time, but the fast service cleared out the lobby quickly, and I particularly appreciated that one of the staff brought my luggage to the room.
When I arrived, there was only one elevator available (one was being repaired), but it was fixed quickly (less than 24 hours).
The room
The room is very spacious and well equipped (standard equipment):
- safe;
- work table;
- armchair;
- Nespresso machine, etc.
Being on the 4th floor, it was quiet, even though it was located directly off the elevator. No problem with this room. The air conditioning was functional and especially quiet. I had asked for “foam” pillows. They were comfortable.
The bathroom
A classic bathroom, which was well equipped with bathrobe and hair dryer.
Also a nice surprise in the room: loukoums, bottles of water (a large one every two days + 2 small ones every day) and a welcome message from the management.
Restaurant and bar
The hotel has a bar and restaurant, which I only used once for lunch. I also went to the bar once for a beer.
My opinion on the breakfast… is not negative, but is not positive either. Not enough choice (buffet style). As for the bar, the service was courteous and the price reasonable.
The surroundings
The area around the hotel is full of restaurants and bars – I particularly recommend the little restaurant “Quppa caffe” where I ate one of the best “club sandwich” of my life.
Otherwise, for lunch or a good coffee, just next to the hotel, there are two nice little cafés: “La vie praliné” and “Coffee Public”. In the latter, the staff is very friendly.
You can read all my recommendations about Turkish gastronomy in this article.
Several cats crossed my path.
Bottom Line
Despite being located on a slope, the hotel is very well situated and close to many tourist activities. A pleasant room, a fast service.
I booked this hotel (5 nights) through my Bonvoy points for a total of 50,000 points. The price was 82 euros/night. Was it a good move to use my points? I think so.
Thank you milesopedia!
- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$700Total$700$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $700
- Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months
- Up to 80,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.
