Item: Moxy Istanbul Taksim
Rating: 8
Author: André Lapointe

Hotel Location
Modern and friendly atmosphere
Historic building with unique charm

Very limited storage space in the room
The hotel’s dinner menu is limited

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.

Booking

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.

Arrival

Location

Located just steps from İstiklal Caddesi in the lively and popular Beyoğlu district, Moxy Istanbul Taksim enjoys a prime location. It’s an excellent starting point for exploring the neighbourhood and makes it easy to get around the rest 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.

Check-In and Lobby

As soon as you enter the Moxy Istanbul Taksim, you immediately notice the brick-walled passageway, where small seating areas are arranged. This architectural detail adds a lot of charm and sets the tone upon arrival.

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.

Room

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.

Restaurants

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.

To go further, also discover our guide on Turkish gastronomy and the specialties not to miss during a stay in Istanbul.

Services

Moxy Gym

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.

Ironing room

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.

Meeting Rooms

The Moxy Istanbul Taksim has only one meeting room, located on the ground floor. This multifunctional room can accommodate up to about forty people, depending on the chosen configuration.

This same space also serves as a business center, ideal for those who wish to work or use a printer.

Around the Hotel

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.

To discover other Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the city, also consult our review of the JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus, the W Istanbul or the Gezi Hotel Bosphorus Istanbul.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points to stay for free at more than 8,000 hotels worldwide is to hold the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card). You can also 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, check out our guides:

Compare

Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, 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.

Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

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

Overall Impression

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, welcoming staff, and a distinctive style, the Moxy Istanbul Taksim is an ideal choice for an urban and practical stay in Istanbul. I would return without hesitation.

To go further with Marriott Bonvoy

To maximize your stays and your points accumulation, consult our complete guide to the Marriott Bonvoy program as well as our ranking of the best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. For your personal purchases, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For your business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card accumulates points on all your business expenses. And if a points purchase promotion is underway, take advantage of it via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.

If you are looking for other Marriott Bonvoy options in Turkey, also consult our review of the Sheraton Grand Samsun Hotel or the Izmir Marriott Hotel.

Hotel Location
Modern and friendly atmosphere
Historic building with unique charm

Very limited storage space in the room
The hotel’s dinner menu is limited

Booking

Once again, I made remarkable savings during this stay in Istanbul thanks to the Marriott Bonvoy program.