Review: Izmir Marriott Hotel

Izmir is Turkey’s third largest city. It has three Marriott hotels in the city center, as well as a hotel in the Luxury Resort & Spa collection, the Reges, located 72 km from Izmir.

I chose this hotel mainly because of its location in the center of the city’s activities, and above all because of its more than affordable price given its category.

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Izmir Marriott Hotel – Booking

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.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

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.

Compare

Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$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.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,110

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Izmir Marriott Hotel – Location

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.

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Izmir Marriott Hotel – Registration

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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.

Izmir Marriott Hotel – Lobby

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.

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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.

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Izmir Marriott Hotel – Room

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.

Izmir Marriott Hotel – Catering

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.

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Greatroom & Alcedo Lobby Bar

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.

Pagos rooftop bar

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.

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Pool bar

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.

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M Club Lounge

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.

Izmir Marriott Hotel – Services

Pools

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.

Quan Spa

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

The gym

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.

Other services

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

Izmir Marriott Hotel – At a Glance

Here is some information about the hotel:

Date of opening (or renovation)	2021	Number of rooms	149
Restaurants	Yes	USB sockets in the room	Yes
Accepts animals	yes 40 EUR/ stay, 10 EUR/ day for cleaning	Smart TV	Yes
Mobile card	Yes	Shower/Bath	Shower
Balcony	No	Accessible for people with reduced mobility	Yes
Parking	7 EUR / day	Lounge	Yes
Gym	Yes, 24/7	Breakfast included	Yes, for Platinum members and above
Pools and Spas	Yes	Room with kitchenette	No

Izmir Marriott Hotel – Overall Impression

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.