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As Istanbul is my favourite city, my goal is to try as many Marriott chain hotels as possible. So, for my last five nights in Türkiye — and more specifically in Istanbul — I chose the Moxy Istanbul Taksim, which opened in June 2025.
This 167-room hotel is located in the historic Afrika Han building, designed in the early 19th century by German architect August Jasmund. This stunning eclectic-style building was originally constructed for Ragıp Paşa, chamberlain to Sultan Abdulhamid II.
Istanbul has over 37 Marriott hotels! So, finding a hotel may seem easy, but it’s not always straightforward. With so many options, there is also a wide range of categories and, most importantly, prices.
For this trip, my goal was to book a hotel as much as possible using my Marriott Bonvoy points, while staying close to the centre of Istanbul. Fortunately, the Moxy Istanbul Taksim offered both a great location and an especially attractive points rate.
I made my reservation at the beginning of July 2025 for a stay at the end of September. At that time, the cost was 49,000 points for five nights (thanks to the fifth night free when you book four nights with points). According to Milesopedia, this represents a value of $441.
Once again, I made remarkable savings during this stay in Istanbul thanks to the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Located just steps from İstiklal Caddesi in the lively and popular Beyoğlu district, Moxy Istanbul Taksim enjoys an ideal location. It’s an excellent starting point for exploring the neighbourhood, as well as getting around to other parts of the city.
Thanks to its central location, getting to the hotel is also very straightforward. From IST Airport, the Havaist shuttle takes you directly to Taksim, as does the new M11 metro line, which connects at Gayrettepe to the M2 line straight to Taksim. If you’re arriving from SAW Airport, the Havaş shuttle also brings you directly to Taksim. You can also take the metro from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, but the trip will be a bit longer than by shuttle.
As soon as you enter Moxy Istanbul Taksim, you’ll immediately notice the brick walls with cozy seating areas built in. This architectural detail adds plenty of charm and sets the tone from the moment you arrive.
At the end of this hallway is the hotel bar, which also serves as the check-in counter. The atmosphere is lively and festive, with youthful décor inspired by the world of music, contrasted by a stunning stained-glass window behind the bar that adds a more classic touch.
But what truly sets the Moxy apart is the building’s unique design: four structures surrounding a central atrium. This layout has made it possible to create small lounges in each section, each decorated with its own theme—music, film, games, and more. These spaces are perfect for enjoying a drink, relaxing with a book, or playing foosball and board games. One of these rooms, located behind the bar, also serves as the breakfast area.
The check-in process was quick and efficient. Right at the start of the conversation, I was offered a drink and chose a tea. Before my arrival, I checked online to see if any suites were available for my stay, but unfortunately, they were all already booked. So I asked for a room with a city view, which was granted. The employee assured me that, even if it wasn’t a suite, I would be delighted with the room.
Since my room wasn’t ready yet, I left my luggage at the hotel’s storage.
Located on the 7th floor, room 713 offers a perfectly reasonable size for a Moxy brand hotel.
Its special feature? Its many windows, which allow you to admire both the interior atrium and the city. But most importantly, a door leads directly to a huge private terrace, offering a breathtaking view of Istanbul. No furniture is installed on the terrace, but it you can easily request chairs from the reception.
The room is simply furnished but highly functional. The minimalist furniture reflects the Moxy brand’s style, and the bed is especially comfortable. The youthful, modern décor adds a vibrant touch to the space. During those hot days, the quiet air conditioning was especially appreciated.
The bathroom is modern and a good size, with a pleasant surprise: an unexpectedly spacious shower, which isn’t always the case in this category of hotel.As is often the case with Moxy hotels, the lack of storage space is a drawback, and the Moxy Istanbul Taksim is no exception. You’ll need to keep your clothes in your suitcase on the provided luggage rack… and adapt.
Despite this small inconvenience, the room remains very comfortable, and you quickly feel at home.
The Moxy Istanbul Taksim has a single restaurant, the Moxy Bar, located at the heart of the hotel. Breakfast is served buffet-style in a room set up just behind the bar. This space, decorated with a cinema theme, is warm and inviting. You can also choose to sit in other areas near the bar to enjoy your meal.
Breakfast is offered free of charge to Platinum and higher-tier Marriott Bonvoy members, provided they haven’t chosen points as a welcome gift. Although simple, the buffet is comprehensive and offers something for everyone.
In the evening, the hotel offers a small à la carte selection of international dishes, including pasta, burgers, and a few other options. That said, the neighbourhood is full of excellent local restaurants, so it’s well worth exploring the area’s dining scene!
The bar, for its part, serves cocktails, local beers, and remains open 24/7.
Note that no room service is available.
Located on the lobby level, the small fitness center is freely accessible to hotel guests. It features some cardio equipment and free weights. Towels and water bottles are also available on site.
Given the typical lack of space in Moxy rooms, the hotel has thoughtfully set up ironing rooms on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th floors. Open 24 hours a day, these fully equipped rooms are dedicated exclusively to ironing.
Moxy Istanbul Taksim has only one meeting room, located on the ground floor. Cette salle multifonctionnelle peut accueillir jusqu’à une quarantaine de personnes, selon la configuration choisie.
This same space also serves as a business center, ideal for those who wish to work or use a printer.
Located in the vibrant Beyoğlu district, Moxy Istanbul Taksim is the perfect hotel for those looking to experience Istanbul’s nightlife. It’s just steps from Istiklal Caddesi, an iconic street packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants. Despite the lively atmosphere, guests seeking peace and quiet need not worry, the rooms are well soundproofed to block out outside noise. Taksim is also a great area for shopping, with nearly all major brands having storefronts along İstiklal Caddesi.
The location is also ideal for getting around the city, with all public transit options just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. It’s also less than a thirty-minute walk to both Galata Tower and Galataport, two must-visit attractions for travellers.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide is with the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card). It is also possible to earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
To learn everything about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for free hotel stays, follow our guides:
For me, the Moxy Istanbul Taksim was a wonderful discovery. The location is absolutely perfect for exploring Istanbul, enjoying restaurants and nightlife, while remaining close to public transportation. The hotel’s youthful and dynamic atmosphere, combined with its charming historic building, creates a truly unique experience.
My room, simple but comfortable, offered a superb city view and direct access to a huge private terrace, a significant bonus. As always with Moxy, storage space is limited, but I expected it, and it didn’t prevent me from enjoying my stay.
With excellent value for points, friendly staff, and a unique style, Moxy Istanbul Taksim is an ideal choice for a convenient and urban stay in Istanbul. I would go back without hesitation.
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