I booked my two nights in Izmir a little last minute. Despite that, I still managed to get a good deal: 179 CAD per night. The hotel cost 26,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night while I was visiting.

Before my trip, I had received an AMEX online offer from Marriott on the American Express Cobalt^® Card (spend 500 CAD, receive a 100 CAD credit). I took the opportunity to buy a gift card from a Marriott Hotel in Montreal. I then contacted the hotel to make sure they would accept this card. The establishment confirmed they would, with the condition that I gave them the card number.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

The Izmir Marriott Hotel has the advantage of being a perfect location for visiting the city. Located on Izmir Bay, the establishment is just 18 km from Adnan-Menderes International Airport.

The hotel is 20 minutes away by car. By public transport, the journey is easy by train and metro, with a 10-minute walk afterwards. The Izmir Marriott Hotel has 149 rooms spread over eight floors.

As soon as I arrived at the reception desk of the Izmir Marriott Hotel, the staff greeted me with a smile, and then thanked me for being a Platinum member. I was advised that my originally booked room – Standard with a king-size bed, city view – had been “upgraded” to a sea view. After being handed my passport, my gift card for payment, and my Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card for deposit, I was given the key to my room, located on the 6th floor.

The lobby of this five-star hotel is decorated with charm and good taste. Here, they’ve opted for a look combining different styles of armchairs and sofas in a variety of colours, with a distinguished touch of finesse.

There are also tables available where you can sit and work. The three reception desks are to the right of the entrance, and the hotel bar is directly opposite.

For this weekend at the Izmir Marriott Hotel, I hadn’t asked for an upgrade, as I wasn’t going to be at the hotel very often (I’d planned a tour of Efes). Nevertheless, I was given a standard room with a king-size bed and an sea view.

As soon as you enter room 1622, you’ll find the bathroom on the right. Partly made of marble, it features a washbasin topped with a large mirror. The glass-enclosed shower with rainfall effect is large enough for two.

It has an opaque window overlooking the bedroom, allowing natural light into the bathroom. Naturally, it includes all the products needed for personal hygiene.

On the left, the storage area is well equipped with a safe, iron and ironing board, coffee machine, kettle, bottled water and minibar.

There are two small bedside tables on either side of the bed – which was indeed very comfortable. The hotel had the good idea of installing a control panel for all the lights in the room, as well as USB and electrical sockets bedside.

In front of the large window, an armchair and small table allow you to relax and enjoy the splendid view over the bay of Izmir, or to watch television.

The room was well appointed and decorated, with a wooden floor and a single rug under the bed. Perfect for carpet-haters like me.

Located in the lobby, Lima is the hotel’s main restaurant. Open from 6.30 am, you can enjoy any meal of the day. It has a terrace overlooking the street and Izmir Bay. I can’t give my review on the food, as I haven’t eaten there.

Located in the lobby, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a coffee or cocktail, every day from 11am to 11pm. The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff took the time to talk to you.

Open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday to Friday, this bar-restaurant is located on the 8th floor. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal or a cocktail while taking in the view of the bay.

Part of Pagos, you can sip a cocktail by the pool or sit out on the terrace and admire the city. The bar is open from 11 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Located on the 4th floor, this lounge is open 24 hours a day, every day, and offers access to a small terrace overlooking the bay. Soft drinks, coffee and bottled water are available at all times.

From 6.30am to 11am, you can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast (hot and cold), with a choice of eggs, pancakes, waffles and more. The buffet didn’t offer much variety, but the food was excellent.

From midday until 5pm, it’s “Tea Time”. Here, you can drink tea and enjoy sweet bites such as macarons or sweet puff pastries.

For evening cravings, you can enjoy small bites, salads and two hot dishes (chicken or pasta) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Once again, it’s not very varied, but it’s still very good.

What’s more, until 9:30 p.m., you can enjoy local alcoholic beverages (Raki), as well as wine, beer, rum, vodka and whisky. And the M Club Lounge staff are just “wow”. To gain access, you must be a Platinum member or above, but it’s also possible if you book an executive room.

The well-kept secret of the Izmir Marriott Hotel is its rooftop infinity pool, open from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., with very few visitors. We didn’t have to fight for a longue chair or a big wicker armchair. The pool is not heated and towels are provided on site.

Located in the basement, the second pool is heated and is part of the Quan Spa section. There are deckchairs on one side. It was very little frequented during my visit. You can take advantage of its extended hours: from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Open at the same times as the indoor pool, the spa offers the usual relaxation services ($): massage, hammam, scrub, etc.

The small gym is also located in the basement, and features only cardiovascular equipment and a few weights. Towels and bottled water are available on site. It is open 24/7, with access to the sauna.

The hotel offers 24-hour cleaning services. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Meeting rooms are also available.

The Izmir Marriott Hotel is a wonderful discovery. It’s not located near a beach, but if that isn’t the purpose of your stay in Izmir, it’s perfect. The hotel is close to many of the city’s points of interest. If you’re in the mood for local delicacies, there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

The room is comfortable and its services, such as the hotel’s swimming pools and bars, are assets to consider when selecting a hotel in Izmir. I had great interactions with the staff at the M Club Lounge and Alcedo Lobby Bar. I recommend it without hesitation.