airport to hotel shuttle and best site for hotel in Istanbul

In September we stayed at the St. Sophia Best Western for five nights. The hotel had a cab pick us up at the airport because we had booked more than four nights. The St. Sophia is next to Haggia Sophia and within comfortable walking distance to all the old town sights. I'm sure the hotel could arrange a cab for you to get back to the airport. I really hate those early flights because we have to get up in the middle of the night and miss breakfast. You can make your own reservation at the hotel online and correspond with the people there about getting to and from the airport.

the most expensive option is the airport hotel. it's on the airport premise so you don't have to get up too early. its high end, pricy. you can also stay anywhere in town and pay a bus shuttle to airport. the hotel price varies. i stayed at old city viva and can recommend it for your stay in IST - it's good value for the money. finally, there are a couple of low end hotels near the airport in the suburbs. they're ok, cheaper compare to hotels in IST, but there is nothing to do around the hotel. you can bargin with these hotels to include bus shuttle as part of the deal, just walk up to the hotel desk at the airport and talk to the reps there.

I stayed at Old City Viva as well while in the city, but the last night stayed at the airport. I think it was a Holiday Inn and they had a free shuttle that took us back into the city that evening. It was a bit of a drive to the airport and I did not want to worry about getting up even earlier.

I would stay in the city as the airport is only 20-25 minutes away and no traffic this early in the morning. The hotel arranged a private shuttle to take us to the airport.