Best Point Hotel

The hotel is on the older side, but the Juliet balconies with pink awnings and the small outdoor patio gives the exterior some homey charm. Inside, the cozy vibe continues with free Turkish coffee and baklava upon arrival. Renovated interiors are clean, and the small, living room-style lobby maintains a traditional vibe with Ottoman-style rugs, ceiling lamps, and furniture. The two buildings are connected by a small inner courtyard with potted plants and tables with rustic checked runners. This is where guests often enjoy afternoon snacks, drinks, or evening meals in the summers. Views of the Hagia Sophia from the rooftop restaurant are especially lovely. Like most hotels in Istanbul, this one lacks an elevator, which may cause an issue for guests staying on the fourth floor. Romantic, cozy, and convenient, the hotel is popular with all kinds of tourists, but especially among couples.

Perched on the cobblestoned streets of the old historic quarter of Istanbul, just seven minutes on foot from Sultanahmet Square, the hotel’s location is a huge draw for tourists. Many of the city’s most iconic sites are within walking distance: the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are both six minutes away, the Basilica Cistern is nine minutes away, the Topkapi Palace is 14 minutes away, and the Grand Bazaar is 20 minutes away. Public transport stations are less than 10 minutes from the hotel. Ataturk International Airport is about a half-hour away by car when traffic is light. The hotel offers airport shuttles for fees.

Rooms are available in 13 types, and features vary greatly. The 150-square-foot Standard Rooms have few frills, but Double or Deluxe Rooms can come with private hammams and gardens; Triple Rooms can have hot tubs; and several Double Rooms and Apartments come with private terraces and fantastic views of the Blue Mosque (rooms facing the courtyard, in contrast, can feel dark). Higher-category rooms can have sofa beds; Suites have extra bedrooms and fireplaces; and Apartments have large, well-equipped kitchens.All rooms are clean and fairly quiet. Decor across the board mimics the common areas, with old-fashioned furnishings including traditional rugs on hardwood floors, classic wooden bedside tables and sconces, and bold-colored velvet bed runners and decorative pillows. Some rooms are more overstated in their traditional aesthetic, and the color combinations and materials can come off as gaudy, while others take a more tasteful, understated approach.Standard Rooms don’t have desks, but come with small tables with seating and single armchairs. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, laptop-compatible safes, and free Wi-Fi are provided. All rooms also have minibars, free bottled water, and Turkish candies by the beds. Ironing equipment is provided. Rooms don’t have tea-and coffee-making facilities, but both beverages are available on request from reception. Bathrooms are cramped, but clean, and most have pink tiling and wooden vanities. Most bathrooms have walk-in showers with handheld showerheads. Bathrooms with hammams feature marble walls and heated marble floors. Toiletries and hairdryers are standard. 

Most amenities here revolve around food and drinks. In addition to the free refreshments on arrival, a daily afternoon tea service in the courtyard presents free coffee and tea along with pastries, and an early evening mezze spread includes canapes, fruit, and wine. Hot beverages are available 24/7 in the reception area or as room service. Room rates also include the buffet breakfast at the hotel’s top-floor restaurant, which includes both indoor and terrace dining areas offering beautiful panoramas of the historic city. The food selection is impressive, featuring various local cheeses, homemade jams, fresh fruit, Turkish olives, yogurts, breads, and made-to-order omelets.  There is no gym, pool, or business center on-site. Wi-Fi throughout is free, and laundry services are available.