The Palm Bosphorus Hotel

Overall impression: reviewers emphasize the hotel's excellent Üsküdar location and recent, modern refurbishment; visitors frequently praise clean rooms, Bosphorus views and friendly staff while noting recurring maintenance and comfort issues. Positive themes include a superb position next to ferries, Marmaray and the metro and good value; negatives reported by multiple guests are small rooms, intermittent AC failures (some say AC shut off every 15 minutes), occasional smoke smell through ventilation, and isolated cleanliness lapses such as stained sheets or dusty kettles.

Key observations

Location advantage: Guests consistently highlight the 2–5 minute walk to the ferry, Marmaray and metro, making the hotel a convenient base for Istanbul excursions. Clean, modern rooms: Many reviews call the property new or recently renovated with tidy rooms and comfortable beds. Generally helpful staff: Multiple reviewers praise reception staff and specifically name manager Şafak for assistance. AC and maintenance issues: A recurring complaint: rooms becoming uncomfortably hot and AC units behaving unreliably; other reports mention broken door handles and non‑working minibars.

Main pros

Exceptional central Üsküdar location near Bosphorus, ferry terminal and Marmaray.
Clean, modern rooms and recent renovation (guests note 2024 update).
Friendly, often helpful staff; several mentions of specific staff members.
Good value for money for the area.

Main cons

Intermittent air‑conditioning problems; some guests reported AC that shuts off frequently or rooms that stay hot.
Occasional cleanliness issues — stains on sheets, dusty kettles reported by several guests.
Small rooms — tight for families; three‑person rooms sometimes missing extra cups/towels.
Instances of smoke smell through ventilation and a few reports of charging disputes for breakfast.

Overall rating: B

Hotel overview

Basic info:

Name: The Palm Bosphorus Hotel (The Palm Bosphorus Hotel)
Transcription: —
Address: Mimar Sinan, Doğancılar Cd. No: 40, Üsküdar, Istanbul, 34672, Türkiye
Contact: phone not present in scraped reviews
Year opened/renovated: guests report a renovation / reopening in 2024
Number of rooms: small hotel — exact number not confirmed in reviews
Positioning: budget / lower‑mid urban hotel with Bosphorus views

Description: The Palm Bosphorus presents as a compact, recently refurbished hotel offering tidy, modern rooms and easy access to Bosphorus transport. It lacks a full restaurant; breakfast is handled in‑room or offsite and there is a small café at the entrance.

Target guests: Couples, solo travelers and small families seeking a convenient base on Istanbul’s Asian side close to ferries and public transport.

Location & transport

Location: Central Üsküdar — reviewers repeatedly note a 2–5 minute walk to the ferry, Marmaray and metro, and proximity to cafés and eateries.

Nearby highlights: Maiden's Tower and the waterfront are 10–15 minutes on foot; a lively gastronomy street with many restaurants is steps away.

Transport: Excellent public transport links: ferries, Marmaray, metro and buses; taxis readily available.

Walkability: Streets are busy but walkable and generally safe; some guests noted night‑time smells from the port and occasional street noise.

Rating: B

Rooms & cleanliness

Rooms are modern, tidy and often praised for comfort and views. However, multiple guests reported inconsistent housekeeping — stained sheets, dusty kettles, and occasional bugs were mentioned. Rooms can be small, particularly three‑bed setups that sometimes use an extra bed on a metal frame that guests found uncomfortable.

Rating: B-

Service

Service reviews are mixed but lean positive: many guests describe staff as friendly and helpful; some cite rapid assistance from specific staff (manager Şafak). Yet a noticeable minority report slow or ineffective responses to maintenance requests and disputes over breakfast charges.

Rating: B

Food

The hotel does not host a full on‑site restaurant; breakfast is offered in‑room or at an alternate location for a fee (reports cite €10). The surrounding area has plentiful cafés and bakeries highly rated by guests.

Rating: B-

Facilities & amenities

Facilities are basic: small reception, a ground‑floor café, Wi‑Fi, and no pool or spa. Several guests reported non‑working minibars or refrigerators in rooms and tight parking where guests leave keys with reception.

Rating: C+

Important notes

Check AC on arrival — several guests experienced overheating or cycling off every 15 minutes.
Inspect bedding and kettle for cleanliness; request replacement if necessary.
If traveling by car, note tight parking and the practice of giving keys to reception staff.

Practical tips

Request a room on higher floors (4th floor recommended by Trip.com reviewers) for better Bosphorus views and less street noise.
Confirm breakfast inclusion and price at booking (some guests faced unexpected charges).
Ask reception to check minibar/fridge functionality on arrival.
For three‑person bookings, verify extra bed quality and ask for additional cups/towels if missing.
If you notice smoke smell, request a room change immediately.
Use the hotel as a base for ferry trips — ferries and Marmaray are a short walk away.

Final verdict

For travellers seeking a centrally located, budget‑friendly hotel on the Asian side with easy Bosphorus access, The Palm Bosphorus delivers good value and generally pleasant stays; be mindful of occasional maintenance and cleanliness inconsistencies.

Final grade: B

Good for: couples, solo travellers, short stays, transit users wanting ferry/Marmaray access.

Avoid if: you need large family rooms, flawless housekeeping, or are highly sensitive to AC/ventilation issues.