Istanbul hotel recommendations?

I was in Istanbul last week and had an excellent stay at the Garden House Hotel in the Sultanahmet district: http://www.gardenhouseistanbul.com/ It does have an outdoor patio where breakfast is served, but views of the water are blocked by the nearby Mosque. All the rooms were recently remodeled, and are very comfortable. The elderly gentleman at the front desk was very kind and friendly. Best of all were the room rates, it's small four-star hotel but rates are what you would expect to see at the three-sat hotel with fewer amenities. If you book directly via the hotel's website, most rates include transport to/from the airport.

We spent 7 nights at Hotel Sultan Hill and liked it a lot. They have a good breakfast with an option to sit in an outdoor patio but there isn't a view from there. It's near the Blue Mosque in a great location for other sites in the area and for walking to the metro/tram. The hotel is very clean and the rates are reasonable. The staff is friendly and helpful!

There's a rooftop terrace at the Sultan Hill with views of the Sea of Marmara, although breakfast is served in the basement (which isn't at all dreary - it opens on a small courtyard). The Empress Zoe, which has also been recommended on this board, has a rooftop terrace with a bar. Someone also recommended the Sari Konak to me - it has a rooftop terrace too. All are in the Sultanahmet area near the Blue Mosque/ Haghia Sophia.

Hi, We spent 14 nights in Istanbul in March/ April 2013. Four nights in Sultanahmet. We had been in this area of Istanbul before and had stayed at the Side Pension, so we rebooked the Side. Now we were there during low season (late March) and we paid 60 Euro/night. That came with an extremely clean, quiet, and safe room with western shower and toilet. All quite lovely, small but lovely. We only sleep and nap in the room so small doesn't affect us. It came with a breakfast of boiled egg (or if you request, your choice of egg) bread, butter, jam, olives, coffee, Tang (!), and some other stuff I don't recall, maybe tomato and cucumber. It was enough to run your motor until mid-afternoon. Not great, but what do you want? oysters? The "roof-top" view. Well you are at the top except for a patio above you. If you look you have a view of the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, and the Sea of Marmara. You can take your breakfast to the patio. It was March both times we were there, so we stayed inside. Besides we were eating not touring. It is about three/four doors down from the Four Season Hotel which will give you better of all described above. Location is GREAT. Owners are great.
wayne iNWI

I stayed 6 days at Zeugma Hotel. The cost was good 55 Euros per night. My room had a view of the Sea of Marmara and was on the top floor, close to the breakfast room. The staff were uniformly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The room was comfortable. The hotel is located on Akbiyik Caddesi, a street loaded with many nice restaurants, and within a 4-minute walk of the Haghia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with only another minute walk to the tramway stop in Sultanahmet. I looked at several other options, but I am delighted that I found Zeugma. If I return to Istanbul, I will definitely plan on staying at Zeugma Hotel.

Another vote for Hotel Sultan Hill - have stayed there - very good place, staff, breakfast, and roof terrace. They use to offer a very good discount for mentioning RS Istanbul Guide Book and then wanting to see it at check-in.

We stayed at the Sumengen Hotel which is just down the street from the Obelisk. The Sumengen had a wonderful breakfast which could be taken on a patio overlooking the sea with the activity of the ferries. Have a great trip.