Review: Moxy Izmir | Marriott Bonvoy
A stay at the Moxy Izmir, a brand-new Marriott Bonvoy hotel in Türkiye: 9,000 points a night, a sea-view room with a balcony, and a neighbourhood still under construction.
The Moxy Izmir is worth a stay for its points price (9,000 a night), its sea-view room with a balcony and its Moxy atmosphere, but it needs a few weeks, even a few months, to be fully up to speed. Here is my review of the Moxy Izmir, a Marriott Bonvoy hotel with a lot of potential.
The hotel had just opened its doors when I stayed there. I was there on September 22, only a few days after its official opening on September 8, 2026.
And as you would expect from a hotel that has barely opened, not everything runs smoothly yet. There is still a lot to improve, both in the hotel and in the surrounding area.
That said, you will also find several very interesting features, including modern rooms, a balcony with a sea view, plenty of USB and USB-C outlets and, true to the Moxy spirit, several spaces to relax and have fun.
- 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
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”).
Booking: 9,000 points instead of 13,000
I chose to book the Moxy Izmir mainly because of its points price, which was particularly attractive. When I booked, the night was listed at just 13,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
For comparison, the other Marriott hotels in the area started at around 25,000 points. The choice was therefore fairly easy, especially since I like the Moxy concept.
Staying in Izmir? Also read our reviews of the Izmir Marriott Hotel and the Four Points by Sheraton Izmir.
As usual, I took the time to check the number of points required again before my arrival. And I'm glad I did!
The price dropped twice: it first went from 13,000 to 9,500 points, then finally down to just 9,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. So of course I changed my booking to take advantage of the drop.
Here is what that looked like for my room:
- In points: 9,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night, after two drops (13,000, then 9,500 points)
- In cash: about $204 CAD for the standard room
- Room with a balcony and sea view: about $253 CAD, its normally listed rate
Another nice saving, since we value 9,000 points at about $90 CAD (see our article on the value of Marriott Bonvoy points).
I had also asked to use one of my free upgrades, received when I renewed my Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status. My booking therefore went from a room with a king bed and a city view to a room with a balcony and a sea view. And here, the value becomes even more interesting: this room category was normally listed at about $253 CAD.
Once again, a quick check before the trip let me significantly reduce the number of points needed. It just goes to show that it is always worth taking a look at your booking a few days before arrival!
Location and arrival at the hotel
The Moxy Izmir is in the Bayraklı district, according to Marriott, and has 186 rooms. It is in an area quite far from downtown Izmir. So it is not necessarily the hotel I would choose if my main goal were to be in the heart of the city.
On the other hand, it has two clear advantages: a beautiful sea view and direct access to the İZBAN, the suburban train that makes it easy to get around several areas of Izmir and also offers a direct link to the airport.
The ride takes about 55 minutes, but the big advantage is that you can take a single train straight from the airport, which then drops you right in front of the hotel. For a traveller arriving in Izmir with luggage, it is very convenient, with no need to juggle connections.
The view from the rooms is very nice, especially when you look into the distance. But when you look down at the immediate surroundings, it is a bit less impressive. And for good reason: the area around the hotel is still under development.
The hotel is part of a brand-new real estate complex, and a lot of work is still going on. So there are still undeveloped lots, construction around the hotel and even a few paths that… don't really lead anywhere yet!
In short, if you decide to come here soon, your GPS will be your best friend. And even with it, you will sometimes need a bit of patience, since some streets and buildings are so new that they don't always seem to be mapped properly.
In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, the offering is rather limited for now. There is no restaurant, grocery store or convenience store nearby. The closest shop is about 1.5 km away, and its opening hours are also fairly limited.
It is therefore something to consider if you like being able to walk out of the hotel to grab something to eat or a few small supplies. For now, it's best to plan ahead!
Lobby and check-in
As soon as you walk into the Moxy, you immediately find the brand's typical atmosphere. The lobby is designed more as a living space than as a simple waiting room. You will find games, arcades, board games, a foosball table and even a cornhole game.
The hotel's decor is really inviting and makes you want to take the time to explore every nook of the lobby. There is always something to discover, and that is exactly what makes the space so pleasant and lively. It is exactly the kind of atmosphere you expect to find in a Moxy. A hotel where you can have a drink, play, work or simply spend time in the common areas.
At the Moxy, check-in takes place right at the bar, which immediately sets the tone for the experience. The young staff, still accompanied and supervised by a manager, take the time to explain the benefits that come with your Marriott Bonvoy status.
For Platinum members, the choice is between 500 Marriott Bonvoy points or a US$10 daily credit, applicable during the stay for breakfast, meals or at the hotel bar. However, unlike some other Moxy hotels, this US$10 credit does not cover the full price of breakfast.
You also get a token for a house cocktail, with the option to add gin or vodka, depending on your taste.
A little story worth telling
During my stay, I had a small problem getting an Izmir transit card. The İZBAN ticket machine was out of order and, unfortunately, it was not possible to pay with a credit card directly to get onto the train.
That's when an employee spontaneously offered me her own transit card so I could get around and buy another one at a station where the machines were working. An incredibly kind gesture!
These little gestures make all the difference when you travel. Beyond the hotels, the facilities and the services, it is also the human encounters that make a stay memorable. And that employee truly deserves a big thank-you for her generosity!
Room with a balcony and sea view
Everything is new in this room, and it shows! It is modern, well laid out and pleasant despite its 20 m² size. It is relatively compact, but the layout was well thought out to make the space comfortable. A few details still need improvement, though.
There is, notably, a seating area covered in faux leather, which is very handy for watching TV. It also hides a space under which you can slide your suitcase, as well as a small drawer for a few personal belongings. A simple detail, but rather well thought out.
As in many Moxy hotels, the closet space for clothes is practically nonexistent. Here, you mainly find a rail with a few hangers. A small cabinet also houses a minibar, unfortunately empty, whose top can be used to put down a few clothes or to place your suitcase.
One of the details I particularly appreciated is the presence of USB and USB-C outlets almost everywhere in the room. I tested the USB-C outlets and they worked perfectly. Unfortunately, that was not the case for two or three regular electrical outlets that I tried in order to charge my phone and my battery pack. Fortunately, the problem was reported and fixed quickly, which is appreciated, especially in a hotel that had just opened.
The bed is very comfortable and cozy. The kind of bed where you almost want to stay all day, and the room's decor is, overall, very successful, with a modern style and a warm, cozy feel. You quickly feel at ease, which adds to the comfort of the stay.
Also worth noting: the Moxy Izmir is one of the few hotels that honoured the request in my profile about foam pillows, without my having to remind the front desk. As soon as I arrived, an employee came by to bring me two foam pillows. A small gesture that deserves a mention, especially when a special request is respected without having to repeat it.
The bathroom is compact, but it is perfectly suited to the size of the room, everything is well thought out and the space is enough for daily needs. So I have nothing to complain about there.
This room category also has a balcony with a small table and a chair, which is especially pleasant for enjoying the sea view. It is definitely a feature that adds value to the room, especially when you simply want to sit for a few minutes, have a coffee and enjoy the view.
A new hotel, with a few adjustments still to make
As the hotel had just opened, a few adjustments still had to be made.
When I arrived on my room's floor, an employee even asked me whether I had just arrived since, according to her, the floor wasn't supposed to welcome guests until the next day! Let's just say the break-in period wasn't quite over.
In the room, a few small details had also been overlooked: no box of tissues, only two hangers and a few finishes that left something to be desired. The shower door handle was loose and the shower holder was poorly attached.
The elevators also had a few small hiccups. A few times, they stopped for about a minute before starting up again. Nothing dramatic, but let's admit that you would rather avoid that kind of unexpected pause when you are between two floors!
In short, nothing major, but the whole picture shows that the Moxy Izmir still needs a few weeks, even a few months, for everything to be perfectly dialed in.
Restaurants and bars at the hotel
The Moxy has its own dining area, where you can order food throughout the day, from breakfast until the evening. Orders must be placed directly at the bar, then guests can settle at the many tables available in the dining area. Service runs from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., which is particularly convenient given the hotel's location and the lack of restaurants within easy reach.
The breakfast buffet, set up behind the bar, is available from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It offers a good variety of choices, including hot dishes, pastries, coffee, cereal and several other options to start the day well.
However, it is when you see the bill that things get a little complicated! Breakfast costs 1,450 TL, or about $42 CAD. Honestly, at that price, I don't think it's really worth it. For Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members, the daily US$10 credit covers only about 32% of the bill. That is a big difference from the Moxy Istanbul Taksim, where the same credit was enough to cover the cost of breakfast.
In short, the buffet offers choice, but the price is hard to justify, especially when you compare it with the benefits you can expect at other properties of the same brand.
The Moxy Bar is open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. It has a long counter and the staff were attentive during my stay. There is a good variety of drinks, alcoholic or not. It is a pleasant place to have a drink or simply settle in for a while in the hotel's relaxed atmosphere.
Right next to the bar is a small convenience store offering a few personal hygiene essentials, as well as yogurts, soft drinks, cookies and a few other small snacks. It is certainly handy when you need something quickly without having to leave the hotel. However, the prices are rather exorbitant!
Services: ironing rooms and gym
As in most Moxy hotels, ironing rooms are available to guests. At the Moxy Izmir, they are on the 3rd and 7th floors and are well equipped, so you can give your clothes a quick press before heading out to explore the city again.
Located on level -1, the gym is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is equipped with weights, dumbbells and cardio machines. The space is rather small, but it has the essentials to keep up your workout routine during your stay.
Around the hotel
In a few months, the experience could be quite different. One thing to keep in mind before booking this hotel is that the neighbourhood is not yet fully developed. The Moxy is part of a new real estate complex that should eventually host various shops and services. Small commercial spaces are planned behind the hotel, where a café and a restaurant should open soon.
But for now, you still have to put up with the construction! Several lots are undeveloped, some streets are still new and several buildings are still under construction. The area is therefore far from having reached its full potential.
Once the complex is finished and the shops are open, the neighbourhood should become more pleasant and convenient for hotel guests.
Strengths and weaknesses
Here is what I take away from my stay at the Moxy Izmir.
Strengths
- Brand-new hotel with a modern design
- Well-designed room with a balcony and sea view
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Direct access to the İZBAN train, which connects the airport and stops right next to the hotel
- Pleasant common areas, with several games and entertainment options typical of the Moxy brand
Weaknesses
- Hotel located quite far from downtown Izmir
- Neighbourhood still largely under construction, with very few shops and restaurants nearby
- Several small finishing problems in the room
- Breakfast at an exorbitant price for what is offered
My overall impression
All in all, my stay at the Moxy Izmir was fairly positive, but the experience absolutely has to be put in context: the hotel had just opened. It would therefore be unfair to judge too harshly some problems that are clearly linked to the young age of the property.
The room is modern, clean and brand new, but above all very comfortable. The balcony with a sea view is a plus.
The Moxy atmosphere is also right there. The lobby is lively, with its games, its arcades and its foosball table. It is much friendlier than a traditional hotel lobby where you never quite know what to do besides… looking at your phone!
The main problem remains the environment around the hotel. The real estate complex is not finished and there is still a lot of construction. The area should become much more interesting once the shops and other facilities are in place. A few finishing details also remain to be fixed in the room and in some parts of the hotel, a reminder that not everything was perfectly dialed in during my visit.
Breakfast is another weak point. At about $42 CAD, the price is frankly hard to justify. Even the hotel's little convenience store has rather steep prices!
Despite these few irritants, I sincerely believe the Moxy Izmir could become a very good address in a few months, once the work in the neighbourhood has progressed and the small teething problems are sorted out.
For now, I would sum up my experience this way: a new, modern hotel full of potential, but that still needs a bit of fine-tuning!
I still give it 8/10, mainly thanks to the kindness of the staff. I am convinced that this hotel can only get better over time.
- 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
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”).
To make the most of your hotel nights, see our guide to Marriott Bonvoy status benefits.
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points faster, compare our guide to Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
