Hotel suggestions in Istanbul for solo female

We stayed at [http://www.grandpeninsulahotel.com/grand_peninsula/][1]
[1]: http://www.grandpeninsulahotel.com/grand_peninsula/. Lovely small hotel with friendly staff, great breakfast on rooftop and very close to all the the sights.

I stayed in both of these on separate trips and liked each one. Both are steps away from the Gulhane tram stop (so close that I took public transit to and from the airport with no worries at all) and within 5 minutes of the major sites in the Old City. I did ask for rooms not facing the tram/street and (purposely) got rooms facing a wall, but I was perfectly OK with that since I prefer quiet above all. Both hotels were very neat, clean and had helpful staff. You can find many hotels and reviews on www.booking.com - Istanbul has an incredible variety at different price points.

Raymond Blue
http://www.booking.com/hotel/tr/raymond-blue.html

The Empress Theodora Hotel (better breakfast than hotel above)
http://www.booking.com/hotel/tr/theadora.html

Istanbul Metro System Map
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/IstanbulMetro.html

And we stayed a Saruhan Hotel (saruhanhotel.com, that family also operates the Marmara Guesthouse) in October. The places are similar, we also had a quote and offer from the Grand Peninsula. The Saruhan is slightly farther off the major sites, but only by a few hundred yards, this area is compact. OTOH, its location makes for a shorter walk to the Grand Bazaar and sites beyond. We chose it as felt it would be quieter, we went for the improved room with the city view and indeed it was fine. Breakfast excellent, staff helpful, especially in arrange to ship our jackets home after we left without them. Fantastic sunset from the rooftop dining area on our last evening.

I do believe you can throw a collection of these small hotels into a hat and pick at random and do fine. You can check reviews on Trip Advisor. Can't help you with the trad music sites, but in terms of the main attractions, you don't say when this will be but if it is in high tourist season the Musa Pass will pay for itself, possibly not in total cost savings pending what you do, but in time saved on long lines. In our opinion you do not need to arrange fancy transport to/from the airport, we obtained the transit card (note that you first get it from one machine for 10TL, of which 4 is applied to balance, and then you go to a second machine to top it, that machine puts on whatever you give it and does not make change), which did pay for itself rapidly with the reduced fares, took the Metro to the end of the line and walked 25 minutes (we are 61 and 62, packs on our backs), did not bother with the clunkier change to the Tram to save maybe 1/3 mile on foot. If you go Grand Peninsula, it is further out from the Metro end and you may wish to switch to the train at the end of the Metro, which has a stop very close to it. The walk from the tram is still lengthy, and if jet-lagged the warren of streets can be confusing. Don't forget to get your Turkish Visa online, at the airport you have lines, it's before immigration, and it costs more.

Sorry about letting this reply ramble on.

Thank you very much....and I appreciate the extra information, so ramble on!
My trip will be mid May.

In 2013 my husband and I stayed in Istanbul at the Hotel Niles in the old town. Great location, pleasant rooms and the staff couldn't have been nicer. A delicious buffet breakfast on the rooftop terrace with a view of the water was included. At that time the rates were quite reasonable. The bathroom was small for my husband, but fine for me.

I stayed at Old City Viva and it was recommended by some people here. Not elaborate but good location on the tram line and between spice market and blue mosque. Nice breakfast and reasonable price. Felt very safe here and hotel arranged for taxi from airport.... Loved Istanbul

I stayed at the Erboy Hotel and was very pleased. It's modern, excellent breakfast, comfortable and very clean, the staff were all very helpful and I'd go back there in a flash. It's in a good location, close to the tram so either walking distance or a short tram ride to most of the big sights. Another plus, it's not expensive at all.

Afterward, I joined the RS Turkey tour and stayed in the Azade. More expensive, only slightly better location (closer to some sights, but farther from the tram) and the staff were less than helpful for the most part.

We love staying at the Hotel Amira (www.hotelamira.com). It is affordable luxury, has beautiful plush rooms, and is close to the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, Topkari Palace, and the Basilica Cistern and other places of interest. They have an ATM machine- safer than being outside watching your back- a sauna, gym, jacuzzi, a breakfast buffet and even 5 O'Clock Afternoon tea is included. It is elegant and lovely and the staff will take good care of you. The concierge will make any arrangements you need and offer any info you need. Rooms are affordable, even cheap. Our suite with a balcony was only $185 this past November and the other rooms are cheaper ($115 for a regular room).

I am a single female who went on the week long Istanbul tour in September 2013 and the tour stayed at the Hotel Sumengen. It was a very nice hotel and my room was large as was the bathroom. It was very nice, clean, excellent breakfast in a lovely breakfast room. It was around the corner from the blue mosque and lots of other sites and tons of restaurants. I would stay there again. It was lovely. Do get the RS Istanbul guide book and that will tell you where to go to see the Whirling Dervishes. We went with the guide to see the show. We also went to a turkish bath right near the hotel. There are several hotels in right near this hotel too. Istanbul is a wonderful and unique city. Be ready to take tons of photos!

It has been a few years, but I stayed at the Hotel Empress Zoe when I traveled alone in Turkey and I loved it. They had a couple very nice, charming single rooms, pleasant staff, and lovely location. It's in Sultanahmet and close to all of the major sights. I am going back to Istanbul next year and am planning on staying there again. According to their website (www.emzoe.com) a single is 90 €. Have fun!