Istanbul Hostel is a decent option for travelers on a budget who want to be within walking distance of Istanbul’s top historic sites. With a total of nine simple rooms -- from a double to a dorm that sleeps up to 21 -- this is a no frills spot for unfussy travelers. The hostel’s rooftop restaurant is a highlight, and has fantastic city views. There's also an in-house travel agency, a free simple breakfast, and daily movies. While most guests spend their days out and about, the shared bathrooms aren’t the cleanest, there's no kitchen, and the lack of air-conditioning is a drag. Still, it's worth comparing rates with the nearby Marmara Guesthouse, where all rooms have air-conditioning, more rooms have private bathrooms, and some have minibars.
Istanbul Hostel is a decent option for travelers on a budget who want to be within walking distance of Istanbul’s top historic sites. With a total of nine simple rooms -- from a double to a dorm that sleeps up to 21 -- this is a no frills spot for unfussy travelers. The hostel’s rooftop restaurant is a highlight, and has fantastic city views. There's also an in-house travel agency, a free simple breakfast, and daily movies. While most guests spend their days out and about, the shared bathrooms aren’t the cleanest, there's no kitchen, and the lack of air-conditioning is a drag. Still, it's worth comparing rates with the nearby Marmara Guesthouse, where all rooms have air-conditioning, more rooms have private bathrooms, and some have minibars.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Tan Hotel is a solid boutique property with a fantastic location in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City. Top sights, such as Sultanahmet Square and the Blue Mosque, are just a short walk away. Its 34 guest rooms are attractive and well-equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The star feature of the hotel is its rooftop restaurant and bar, with a terrace that offers sweeping views of historic streets and landmarks. A free breakfast with made-to-order eggs is served here, as is a free afternoon tea with snacks. Travelers looking for a stay nearby that's a bit more luxurious can check out Sura Hotel & Suites.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Tan Hotel is a solid boutique property with a fantastic location in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City. Top sights, such as Sultanahmet Square and the Blue Mosque, are just a short walk away. Its 34 guest rooms are attractive and well-equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. The star feature of the hotel is its rooftop restaurant and bar, with a terrace that offers sweeping views of historic streets and landmarks. A free breakfast with made-to-order eggs is served here, as is a free afternoon tea with snacks. Travelers looking for a stay nearby that's a bit more luxurious can check out Sura Hotel & Suites.
This opulent 115-room luxury hotel in Beyoglu is a historic icon dating back to 1895. From the ornate lobby with marble tile floors, to the elegant afternoon tea, to the live piano music, to the (working!) original wrought-iron elevator, everything about Pera Palace evokes the bygone days when posh Europeans traveled to Istanbul on the Orient Express. Rooms are classic and sophisticated, and some have Bosphorus views. Features include a spa with lovely hammam and indoor pool, several upscale dining venues, and an extensive breakfast buffet. To top it off, rates are often cheaper than at some of the city's other luxury hotels, making this a great value.
This opulent 115-room luxury hotel in Beyoglu is a historic icon dating back to 1895. From the ornate lobby with marble tile floors, to the elegant afternoon tea, to the live piano music, to the (working!) original wrought-iron elevator, everything about Pera Palace evokes the bygone days when posh Europeans traveled to Istanbul on the Orient Express. Rooms are classic and sophisticated, and some have Bosphorus views. Features include a spa with lovely hammam and indoor pool, several upscale dining venues, and an extensive breakfast buffet. To top it off, rates are often cheaper than at some of the city's other luxury hotels, making this a great value.
For travelers seeking a luxury hotel that's refined but not stuffy—and even some on-trend details in public spaces—this boutique property will likely fit the bill. The four-pearl hotel is located in hip Karaköy, though while it's convenient to public transit, most top sights are a hike, particularly in the heat. Highlights include multiple restaurants, cafes, and cocktail lounges, including a rooftop bar with views of the Bosphorus. But wellness amenities are lacking, with a dark, sparsely equipped gym, and no spa, hammam, or pool on-site. The 71 guest rooms have custom-designed furniture and upscale amenities like iPod docs, minibars, and espresso machines, and a few have private terraces, but decor in all is bland. For more stylish digs and better features, consider checking into the W Hotel up the road in Beşiktaş.
For travelers seeking a luxury hotel that's refined but not stuffy—and even some on-trend details in public spaces—this boutique property will likely fit the bill. The four-pearl hotel is located in hip Karaköy, though while it's convenient to public transit, most top sights are a hike, particularly in the heat. Highlights include multiple restaurants, cafes, and cocktail lounges, including a rooftop bar with views of the Bosphorus. But wellness amenities are lacking, with a dark, sparsely equipped gym, and no spa, hammam, or pool on-site. The 71 guest rooms have custom-designed furniture and upscale amenities like iPod docs, minibars, and espresso machines, and a few have private terraces, but decor in all is bland. For more stylish digs and better features, consider checking into the W Hotel up the road in Beşiktaş.
Dosso Dossi Hotel Old City is an upscale, child-friendly property in the center of Istanbul's old city, within easy access of most of its tourist attractions. While rooms are smartly finished with good amenities, some feel cramped and others lack much natural light. The Turkish bath is one of the more impressive hotel hammams in the area, and unusual freebies include milk for kids and evening soup. Overall, the hotel offers pretty good value, but with reports of short beds, taller travelers should probably look elsewhere.
Dosso Dossi Hotel Old City is an upscale, child-friendly property in the center of Istanbul's old city, within easy access of most of its tourist attractions. While rooms are smartly finished with good amenities, some feel cramped and others lack much natural light. The Turkish bath is one of the more impressive hotel hammams in the area, and unusual freebies include milk for kids and evening soup. Overall, the hotel offers pretty good value, but with reports of short beds, taller travelers should probably look elsewhere.
The Best Western Antea Palace Hotel & Spa is a 59-room upscale hotel in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s historic district. Its lush traditional Turkish decor, with lots of red velvet, satin, and gilt furniture, gives a luxurious impression that the hotel doesn’t live up to. Three on-site restaurants, a spa and swimming pool, and a small fitness center are nice features, but all are modest here. Rooms are modern but small, with velvet details; some have views of the Sea of Marmara. Note that locals use the soccer field complex across the street well into the evening, leading to noise complaints. Those who appreciate the hotel’s old-town location and amenities would do well to consider the Yasmak Sultan Hotel. It’s in the same price category, but it has a quieter location and bigger pool.
The Best Western Antea Palace Hotel & Spa is a 59-room upscale hotel in Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s historic district. Its lush traditional Turkish decor, with lots of red velvet, satin, and gilt furniture, gives a luxurious impression that the hotel doesn’t live up to. Three on-site restaurants, a spa and swimming pool, and a small fitness center are nice features, but all are modest here. Rooms are modern but small, with velvet details; some have views of the Sea of Marmara. Note that locals use the soccer field complex across the street well into the evening, leading to noise complaints. Those who appreciate the hotel’s old-town location and amenities would do well to consider the Yasmak Sultan Hotel. It’s in the same price category, but it has a quieter location and bigger pool.
True to its name, the value Best Point Hotel has an optimal location in the historic old quarter of Istanbul, within walking and viewing distance of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Classic Ottoman furniture in the 21 rooms, suites, and apartments can sometimes border on kitschy, but all rooms have minibars and free Wi-Fi, and several have private terraces and traditional Turkish baths. Like most boutique properties in the area, there’s no pool or gym on-site, and amenities focus mostly on free food and beverages: afternoon tea and evening appetizers in the courtyard, and an impressive hot breakfast buffet on the rooftop terrace. The property’s location can’t be beat, but for better features and more elegant decor, the Orient Express Hotel is a nearby alternative.
True to its name, the value Best Point Hotel has an optimal location in the historic old quarter of Istanbul, within walking and viewing distance of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Classic Ottoman furniture in the 21 rooms, suites, and apartments can sometimes border on kitschy, but all rooms have minibars and free Wi-Fi, and several have private terraces and traditional Turkish baths. Like most boutique properties in the area, there’s no pool or gym on-site, and amenities focus mostly on free food and beverages: afternoon tea and evening appetizers in the courtyard, and an impressive hot breakfast buffet on the rooftop terrace. The property’s location can’t be beat, but for better features and more elegant decor, the Orient Express Hotel is a nearby alternative.
Hotel Ibrahim Pasha is one of the most charming boutique hotels in Sultanahmet, with an unbeatable location just off the Hippodrome. The cozy lobby and library both have wood-burning fireplaces -- a real treat in the cooler months -- and the roof terrace has a jaw-dropping view of the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus. The free breakfast is perfectly adequate if not as extensive as the offerings elsewhere, and free tea and coffee are served all day upon request. Standard Rooms are diminutive but adorable, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, robes, Molton Brown toiletries, and rainfall showerheads. For what you get, it's a great value, though prices do spike up in peak season.
Hotel Ibrahim Pasha is one of the most charming boutique hotels in Sultanahmet, with an unbeatable location just off the Hippodrome. The cozy lobby and library both have wood-burning fireplaces -- a real treat in the cooler months -- and the roof terrace has a jaw-dropping view of the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus. The free breakfast is perfectly adequate if not as extensive as the offerings elsewhere, and free tea and coffee are served all day upon request. Standard Rooms are diminutive but adorable, with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, robes, Molton Brown toiletries, and rainfall showerheads. For what you get, it's a great value, though prices do spike up in peak season.
Nowy Efendi Hotel is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel with charming outdoor spaces and lovely, sophisticated interiors. Its 28 guest rooms are trendy and equipped with plenty of amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles. With a free breakfast, free afternoon tea, and a terrace cafe, guests have a few dining options, however, there’s little else in the way of amenities -- the hotel lacks a pool, gym, or full-service restaurant. Yet its central location makes it easy to reach most of Istanbul’s top attractions, making it a popular choice among tourists wishing to sightsee. Innova Sultanahmet Istanbul is a good alternative with the added benefits of a spa, gym, and full-service restaurant.
Nowy Efendi Hotel is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel with charming outdoor spaces and lovely, sophisticated interiors. Its 28 guest rooms are trendy and equipped with plenty of amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles. With a free breakfast, free afternoon tea, and a terrace cafe, guests have a few dining options, however, there’s little else in the way of amenities -- the hotel lacks a pool, gym, or full-service restaurant. Yet its central location makes it easy to reach most of Istanbul’s top attractions, making it a popular choice among tourists wishing to sightsee. Innova Sultanahmet Istanbul is a good alternative with the added benefits of a spa, gym, and full-service restaurant.
Housed in a charmingly traditional building, the upscale Hotel Niles Istanbul is a small family-run property set just two blocks from Istanbul's must-see Grand Bazaar, but a bit far from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (a 20-minute walk). A 2013 renovation upgraded most rooms, while suites are particularly luxurious, with heated flooring. The rooftop terrace makes for a very pleasant place to enjoy breakfast with sea views and alfresco option. Those who prefer a location closer to the hub of the historical center should consider sister property Dersaadet Hotel Istanbul.
Housed in a charmingly traditional building, the upscale Hotel Niles Istanbul is a small family-run property set just two blocks from Istanbul's must-see Grand Bazaar, but a bit far from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (a 20-minute walk). A 2013 renovation upgraded most rooms, while suites are particularly luxurious, with heated flooring. The rooftop terrace makes for a very pleasant place to enjoy breakfast with sea views and alfresco option. Those who prefer a location closer to the hub of the historical center should consider sister property Dersaadet Hotel Istanbul.