GLK PREMIER The Home Suites is a mid-range hotel in the historical district of Sultanahmet; a five-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. The 34 guest rooms each feature individual vintage decor and are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The standard rooms are a bit on the small side, and few rooms have balconies. A free continental buffet breakfast is served each morning in the rooftop Terrace Restaurant, where there's also an a la carte lunch and dinner menu available. The Lobby Bar and Vitamin Bar serve lighter meals and healthy beverages. Both the spa and fitness room are small, though they include a sauna and Turkish hammam. Travelers may also want to consider Hotel Sultania, which offers an indoor pool and more extensive breakfast.
GLK PREMIER The Home Suites is a mid-range hotel in the historical district of Sultanahmet; a five-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. The 34 guest rooms each feature individual vintage decor and are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The standard rooms are a bit on the small side, and few rooms have balconies. A free continental buffet breakfast is served each morning in the rooftop Terrace Restaurant, where there's also an a la carte lunch and dinner menu available. The Lobby Bar and Vitamin Bar serve lighter meals and healthy beverages. Both the spa and fitness room are small, though they include a sauna and Turkish hammam. Travelers may also want to consider Hotel Sultania, which offers an indoor pool and more extensive breakfast.
Raffles Istanbul is a five-pearl property with dramatic, art-filled interiors situated in an upscale mall and residential complex, about a 30-minute drive from the top tourist sights. Its 185 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows (many with sweeping city and water views), balconies, butler service, and tablet controls. The hotel has a serene indoor pool with an atrium and an outdoor pool with stunning views and a bar. Its eight restaurants and bars include a Michelin-starred dining room serving Catalan food, while the enormous spa offers an array of treatments. Design-centric interiors and ultra-attentive service draw well-heeled tourists and business travelers, but those seeking something closer to the top sights might want to consider the Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel -- though rooms aren't as spacious and don't come with as many amenities.
Raffles Istanbul is a five-pearl property with dramatic, art-filled interiors situated in an upscale mall and residential complex, about a 30-minute drive from the top tourist sights. Its 185 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows (many with sweeping city and water views), balconies, butler service, and tablet controls. The hotel has a serene indoor pool with an atrium and an outdoor pool with stunning views and a bar. Its eight restaurants and bars include a Michelin-starred dining room serving Catalan food, while the enormous spa offers an array of treatments. Design-centric interiors and ultra-attentive service draw well-heeled tourists and business travelers, but those seeking something closer to the top sights might want to consider the Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel -- though rooms aren't as spacious and don't come with as many amenities.
The 63-room Vault Karakoy is a luxury boutique hotel situated in a former bank. It has a chic restaurant and lobby bar in addition to a rooftop bar with views of the Old City and Golden Horn. There's also a spa with a beautiful white marble Turkish hammam, sauna, steam room, and treatment rooms for massages and facials, but the property lacks a pool. Rooms are sophisticated and stylish, featuring parquet floors, marble bathrooms, goose-down duvets, and modern amenities like minibars, Julius Meinl coffee machines, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Travelers on the market for luxury may also want to consider the nearby 10 Karakoy A Morgans Original, which offers similar amenities.
The 63-room Vault Karakoy is a luxury boutique hotel situated in a former bank. It has a chic restaurant and lobby bar in addition to a rooftop bar with views of the Old City and Golden Horn. There's also a spa with a beautiful white marble Turkish hammam, sauna, steam room, and treatment rooms for massages and facials, but the property lacks a pool. Rooms are sophisticated and stylish, featuring parquet floors, marble bathrooms, goose-down duvets, and modern amenities like minibars, Julius Meinl coffee machines, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Travelers on the market for luxury may also want to consider the nearby 10 Karakoy A Morgans Original, which offers similar amenities.
This historic 19th-century Ottoman house has a prime location in the center of Istanbul’s main tourist district, with 29 homey guest rooms and suites. Ayasofya Hotel's refined, traditional Turkish furnishings charm its international clientele, as does its rooftop bar that overlooks the Sea of Marmara. Guest room sizes at the three-pearl property vary according to the building's historical contours, and space can be tight in some. Standard amenities include AC, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges, but electric kettles aren't standard and bathrooms in the smallest rooms are a major drawback, as showers are open, with no panel or curtain to separate them from toilets and sinks. Also, the location brings a certain amount of chaos and crowding in peak tourist season. Travelers looking for something modern can check out Hotel Beyaz Saray.
This historic 19th-century Ottoman house has a prime location in the center of Istanbul’s main tourist district, with 29 homey guest rooms and suites. Ayasofya Hotel's refined, traditional Turkish furnishings charm its international clientele, as does its rooftop bar that overlooks the Sea of Marmara. Guest room sizes at the three-pearl property vary according to the building's historical contours, and space can be tight in some. Standard amenities include AC, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges, but electric kettles aren't standard and bathrooms in the smallest rooms are a major drawback, as showers are open, with no panel or curtain to separate them from toilets and sinks. Also, the location brings a certain amount of chaos and crowding in peak tourist season. Travelers looking for something modern can check out Hotel Beyaz Saray.
The two-pearl Sulanahmet Hotel is a small, budget-friendly option within walking distance of Istanbul’s most popular historic and religious attractions, right in Sultanahmet Square. Features include a free breakfast, an attractive rooftop terrace that also doubles as an evening restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a shuttle service. The 20 air-conditioned rooms are small with cramped bathrooms, but they include TVs, and some have balconies with views of the Blue Mosque. Past guest have made complaints regarding mold in bathrooms, the state of the rooms and building, and the lack of an elevator. Those looking for a budget-friendly hotel with more updated design could consider the Yazar Hotel.
The two-pearl Sulanahmet Hotel is a small, budget-friendly option within walking distance of Istanbul’s most popular historic and religious attractions, right in Sultanahmet Square. Features include a free breakfast, an attractive rooftop terrace that also doubles as an evening restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a shuttle service. The 20 air-conditioned rooms are small with cramped bathrooms, but they include TVs, and some have balconies with views of the Blue Mosque. Past guest have made complaints regarding mold in bathrooms, the state of the rooms and building, and the lack of an elevator. Those looking for a budget-friendly hotel with more updated design could consider the Yazar Hotel.
The White House Hotel is a 22-room, boutique hotel in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City. Built in 2000, this upscale property manages to convey a much longer history thanks to its traditional Ottoman decor and its rooftop dining room with views to the Aya Sofia, a former mosque that's now a museum. Like many hotels in the most ancient part of the city, the White House has windows that open to a busy street, so noise may be an issue for some travelers. Guest rooms feel feminine and elegant, and have modern amenities, though they're somewhat small. Breakfast, including the fresh fruits plentiful in the region, is free and served on the terrace. The hotel accepts pets with no fees, a boon for an Old City property. If the White House Hotel is booked, visitors could try the significantly less expensive, upscale Cela Sultan Hotel, which has Hagia Sophia views.
The White House Hotel is a 22-room, boutique hotel in the heart of Istanbul’s Old City. Built in 2000, this upscale property manages to convey a much longer history thanks to its traditional Ottoman decor and its rooftop dining room with views to the Aya Sofia, a former mosque that's now a museum. Like many hotels in the most ancient part of the city, the White House has windows that open to a busy street, so noise may be an issue for some travelers. Guest rooms feel feminine and elegant, and have modern amenities, though they're somewhat small. Breakfast, including the fresh fruits plentiful in the region, is free and served on the terrace. The hotel accepts pets with no fees, a boon for an Old City property. If the White House Hotel is booked, visitors could try the significantly less expensive, upscale Cela Sultan Hotel, which has Hagia Sophia views.
The aptly named Karakoy Rooms is a four-pearl hotel that's short on facilities, but long on style. There's no spa or even much of a lobby, but its 12 gorgeous rooms are large and modern, combining hip furniture with beautifully restored walls and parquet floors. Studios add kitchenettes and sea views, and all are above one of the neighborhood's most popular adult-only restaurants. Free Turkish breakfast is included. Travelers looking for more substantial amenities should check out Sirkeci Mansion, which has a pool, spa, and bar, across from Topkapi Palace.
The aptly named Karakoy Rooms is a four-pearl hotel that's short on facilities, but long on style. There's no spa or even much of a lobby, but its 12 gorgeous rooms are large and modern, combining hip furniture with beautifully restored walls and parquet floors. Studios add kitchenettes and sea views, and all are above one of the neighborhood's most popular adult-only restaurants. Free Turkish breakfast is included. Travelers looking for more substantial amenities should check out Sirkeci Mansion, which has a pool, spa, and bar, across from Topkapi Palace.
Although it may lack a certain polish or uniform design sense, this eclectic four-pearl hotel built in the 18th century impresses on many levels -- particularly in character. There's a virtual treasure trove of original art, antique furniture, handmade textiles, and various historical knick-knacks strewn throughout the common areas and in the 16 guest rooms, suites, and apartments. The on-site spa, hammam, garden, cafe, and restaurant add several more layers of frosting to the already savory cake, while the location in the Çukurcuma provides distance from the tourist hurricane in Sultanahmet and proximity to Istanbul’s hipster, shopping, and nightlife scenes in and around nearby Istiklal Street. For equal quirk, but major sights nearby, check into the Kybele Hotel, just steps from the Hagia Sofia in Sultanahmet.
Although it may lack a certain polish or uniform design sense, this eclectic four-pearl hotel built in the 18th century impresses on many levels -- particularly in character. There's a virtual treasure trove of original art, antique furniture, handmade textiles, and various historical knick-knacks strewn throughout the common areas and in the 16 guest rooms, suites, and apartments. The on-site spa, hammam, garden, cafe, and restaurant add several more layers of frosting to the already savory cake, while the location in the Çukurcuma provides distance from the tourist hurricane in Sultanahmet and proximity to Istanbul’s hipster, shopping, and nightlife scenes in and around nearby Istiklal Street. For equal quirk, but major sights nearby, check into the Kybele Hotel, just steps from the Hagia Sofia in Sultanahmet.
Sari Konak is a charming budget boutique hotel with just 23 rooms, located in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, within walking distance of many sights. Housed in an historic, converted Ottoman mansion -- Sari Konak means "yellow mansion" in Turkish -- this family-run hotel is warm and welcoming, and all the rooms are spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated in a modern-meets-Ottoman style. A free Turkish buffet breakfast is served each morning in a leafy garden or on a shaded roof terrace with views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Just around the corner, there's a bustling bazaar; the Grand Bazaar itself is only five minutes away on foot. With free Wi-Fi throughout the building and free parking, this little hotel offers more than most of the hotels with higher rates in the area.
Sari Konak is a charming budget boutique hotel with just 23 rooms, located in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, within walking distance of many sights. Housed in an historic, converted Ottoman mansion -- Sari Konak means "yellow mansion" in Turkish -- this family-run hotel is warm and welcoming, and all the rooms are spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated in a modern-meets-Ottoman style. A free Turkish buffet breakfast is served each morning in a leafy garden or on a shaded roof terrace with views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Just around the corner, there's a bustling bazaar; the Grand Bazaar itself is only five minutes away on foot. With free Wi-Fi throughout the building and free parking, this little hotel offers more than most of the hotels with higher rates in the area.
Diva's Hotel is located a 10-minute stroll from Sultanahmet Square in the heart of old Istanbul. Its central location and low rates make this budget hotel ideal for tourists, though it can be tricky to find at first and is only accessed by a rather steep hill. The hotel is composed of 40 rooms over two buildings, connected by a beautiful garden courtyard, which is next to the hotel’s Turkish restaurant. A substantial breakfast is included with the already low rates. The rooms are clean and the classic decor includes colorful accent pieces, with nice views from the balconies on the upper floors, but bathrooms are cramped. Wi-Fi, while free, can be spotty. The nearby Senatus Hotel, which has similar rates, also has larger rooms and a more modern vibe.
Diva's Hotel is located a 10-minute stroll from Sultanahmet Square in the heart of old Istanbul. Its central location and low rates make this budget hotel ideal for tourists, though it can be tricky to find at first and is only accessed by a rather steep hill. The hotel is composed of 40 rooms over two buildings, connected by a beautiful garden courtyard, which is next to the hotel’s Turkish restaurant. A substantial breakfast is included with the already low rates. The rooms are clean and the classic decor includes colorful accent pieces, with nice views from the balconies on the upper floors, but bathrooms are cramped. Wi-Fi, while free, can be spotty. The nearby Senatus Hotel, which has similar rates, also has larger rooms and a more modern vibe.