Alemdar Mah. Incili Cavus Sok. No: 35, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey | (618) 248-8274
On a pedestrian street, in the middle of historical Sultanahmet
Sophisticated rooms have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs
Breakfast is included in room rates
Top-floor guest rooms feature scenic rooftop views
On-site restaurant with a la carte menu
Rooftop terrace with scenic views
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Guest rooms and bathrooms are small
Signs of wear and tear in bathrooms
Complaints of cleanliness issues and unpleasant musty smell in rooms
No toiletries in the bathrooms except for bars of soap
Ares Hotel Istanbul is a budget property with a walkable location in the middle of the charming pedestrian area of Sultanahmet, a short walk from many of the city's major tourist attractions. Twenty-one rooms are cramped, but welcoming with elegant decor and amenities including air-conditioning, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. However, the property isn't very well-maintained, and guests have complained about cleanliness issues and a musty smells in rooms. The on-site restaurant is a nice perk, and the rooftop terrace offers scenic views over Istanbul's rooftops. Another choice is nearby Esans Hotel, set in a charming 19th-century wooden house and former perfume workshop with an interesting perfume theme.
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Scene
Simple boutique hotel popular with budget travelers
Ares is a small hotel located in the middle of the vibrant pedestrian area of the historical Sultanahmet district. It occupies a five-story building with tall windows and Juliet balconies and sits right above a restaurant owned by the same property. A door next to the restaurant entrance opens to a small, simply furnished lobby with just a tiny reception counter and two high-backed velour sofas. This mid-range hotel appeals to budget travelers looking to stay close to Istanbul's main tourist sites, and it attracts couples, friends, and some families.
Location
In Sultanahmet neighborhood, conveniently located close to major tourist sites
Ares Hotel Istanbul is located on a narrow street in the historical district of Sultanahmet, within walking distance of the some of Istanbul's most popular tourist sites. This vibrant area is closed to cars and open to pedestrians only, and it's filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops catering to tourists.- Two-minute walk to Basilica Cistern
Rooms
Small guest rooms with sophisticated, but poorly maintained interiors
Rooms at the Ares are done up in a sophisticated, classical style with dark furniture highlighted by patterned wallpaper in tones of brown and gold or ivory and silver, plus drapes and bed covers in deep scarlet or purple velvet fabric. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and safes. Bathrooms are fitted with shower/tub combos or shower stalls, and include hairdryers, and a few bars of soap, but no other toiletries. There are a few signs of wear and tear in the bathrooms, such as peeling paint and broken grout. Rooms are generally small and it can be a challenge to find storage space for luggage. Also, past guests have complained of an unpleasant musty smell in many of the rooms, and of worn furniture and cleanliness issues. The rooms located on the higher floors have scenic views of rooftops and nearby mosques, while lower-floor rooms look out on less-inspiring concrete walls.
Features
Free breakfast, on-site restaurant, rooftop terrace, and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi
Ares Hotel Istanbul has only a few on-site features. A simple cold breakfast of boiled eggs, cold cuts, cheese, jam, tomatoes, cucumber, and bread is included in room rates. Palmiye, the on-site restaurant has an a la carte menu, and provides room service. The rooftop terrace is open in the summer and offers panoramic views of old Istanbul and the Bosphorus river. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel. The property can also arrange bicycle and car rentals as well as airport shuttle bookings. Parking is available nearby for an extra fee.
