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AwardWallet co-founder Alexi is a fan of Marriott's Moxy brand. I, on the other hand, am not. While I love the vibe of Moxy hotels, the tiny rooms and limited amenities inevitably frustrate me for anything longer than a one-night stay.
But the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu was the best choice for a centrally located one-night layover in Istanbul as part of the Turkish Airlines six-continents challenge. And surprisingly, my wife and I enjoyed our stay so much that we've returned twice since. So, here's what I like so much about the Moxy Istanbul Beyoğlu.
Location Near Taksim Square
The Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu is located a block off the popular Istiklal Street.
The hotel is also just a short walk from Taksim Square and all its public transportation links.
We avoid using taxis and ride-hailing services in Istanbul, as every taxi driver we've ever had in Istanbul has at least tried to overcharge us. So, we appreciate that we can take the Havaist shuttle bus (HVL-9) from Istanbul Airport to Taksim. The hour-plus ride only costs 275 Turkish Lira (approximately $7) per person, each way. Then, it's less than a 10-minute walk to the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu.
One of our favorite restaurants in Istanbul, Hevsel Kebap Lahmacun, is also just a short walk from the Moxy. Their Adana kebabs and pides are particularly delicious, and there aren't any extras when you get the bill — salad, tea, and service are all included in menu prices.
Related: How To Add a Stopover on a Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Award Ticket
Comfortable Rooms
On each of our three stays (so far), we got an upgrade from the atrium view room we booked to a city view room, thanks to my wife's or my Marriott Titanium Elite status. Each of our three city view rooms was different in both layout, shape, and size. That's because this is no cookie-cutter Moxy, but the renovated historic Afrika Han building.
The room we were assigned on our first one-night stay was surprisingly spacious, even offering a real chair (a rare amenity in Moxy hotel rooms).
The room we got on our second stay was smaller. It also unfortunately had an all-night rooftop nightclub across the street. We could have asked for a new room, but we found we could get to sleep with the air conditioning fan turned to high.
On our third stay, we got a modest-sized room on the back side of the hotel facing a quieter street.
All the rooms feature a fold-down desk with a stool.
Some, but not all, rooms also have a seating nook near a bed.
The bathrooms are larger than what I've typically found in Moxy hotels.
In the shower, you'll find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash instead of the combination shampoo/body wash that we've typically found at Moxy hotels.
Related: How To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status and the Perks of Each Tier
Good Lobby Space
I don't usually spend much time in the lobby at most hotels. However, Moxy rooms usually don't offer much space, much less a place to work on a laptop. So, my wife and I often find it more comfortable to work from Moxy lobbies. And the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu delivers with a variety of comfortable seats and tables.
There are plenty of different rooms and nooks you can settle in, with a selection of games and books scattered about.
We never had any issues finding a good place to sit with our laptops in the lobby. And with tea costing just 66 Turkish Liras ($1.60), we ordered a couple each time we settled in the lobby.
The hotel doesn't have its alcohol license yet, so tea and snacks became our go-to way to use the $10 per person per day food and beverage credit we chose at check-in as the Titanium Elite welcome amenity. On my first stay, I earned even more food and beverage credit by spinning the wheel at check-in.
Related: Marriott’s Most Expensive Award Nights Now Cost Over 600K Points — How Did We Get Here?
Friendly Staff
Overall, the staff at the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu are friendly and eager to help. For example, one staff member we'd seen several times during our first two stays remembered us on our third stay. And if there are multiple staff at reception when you check in, one will usually offer to help you take your luggage to your room.
But perhaps most impressive — and something we haven't experienced even at more luxurious properties — is that the hotel kept notes from our prior stay.
Remember that loud nightclub outside our room during our second stay? Although we didn't complain about this during our stay, we mentioned the noise at checkout when asked about our stay, and the staff member had clearly made a note. When we checked in for our third stay, the staff member specifically said they'd assigned me a room on the quieter side of the hotel.
Related: Which Marriott Hotel Brands Earn the Most Points?
Competitive Rates
The primary reason we initially tried the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu for a one-night stay in July was its price: 11,500 points for a night. We paid $336 for a three-night stay in August ($112/night) and 18,500 Marriott Bonvoy points for our most recent one-night stay in early September. Although you can certainly find lower rates in Istanbul, we've been happy paying these rates given the property's quality and location.
Looking at the award calendar, you can book award nights at the Moxy Istanbul Beyoglu for as little as 12,500 points per night. After the stay for five, pay for four perk, this means you can redeem as few as 50,000 points for a five-night stay.
Related: 13 Ways To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points Without Staying at a Hotel
Our Take
Istanbul has plenty of reasonably priced luxury hotels. However, I've found that the Moxy Istanbul Beyoğlu offers solid value Marriott nights and is in a great location for exploring the city on foot and via public transportation.
Assuming award rates and paid rates don't increase significantly, I expect to return to the Moxy on my next trip to Istanbul — especially now that the hotel knows I prefer a quiet room on the back side of the hotel.
Related: Decoding Marriott's Credit Card Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying
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