Help with Istanbul Hotels

Are you sure you want to stay in the Sultanhamet area? We prefer staying nearer to Taksim.

I have stayed at Hotel Niles three times, and I give it a big thumbs up.

• Breakfast is a solid, Turkish breakfast: omelette, an assortment of cheese and olives, breads, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I think that fruit, cereal and maybe more is available. The breakfast area is on the top level. You can eat in the indoor sun porch or on the outside porch. You can see the Bosporus in the distance, but mostly you see the rooftops of surrounding buildings.

• The location is a very short walk from the Grand Bazaar and the streetcar. It's also a short walk to Suleymaniye Mosque, my favorite place to watch (and photograph) the sun rise over Istanbul.

• I always get the junior suite with the fancy hamam/shower. It's very pretty and spotlessly clean.

• The location in Beyazit instead of Sultanahmet makes the dining choices more affordable in the evenings.

• They have an airport shuttle. It's not cheap --- $60 each way, per car not per person.

• It's a family-run operation, and they are super friendly and helpful.

• The lobby is wonderful.

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Not on your list, but I stayed at the Hotel Dara when my mother came with me; she was in her 60s and we both were happy with it.
View was great from the rooftop. Breakfast was included. It was close enough to walk to many sites, had smaller mosques next door, but yet somehow managed to not be too loud. It looks like they have airport transfers? I can’t remember if we booked ours through the airport or if I did it on our own, sorry.

If I ever get back, I’d stay there again.

http://www.hoteldara.com/

I’ve stayed at Hotel Amira and loved it
The breakfast is lovely and part of the year on the roof terrace
They arranged a car to pick me up @ the airport

I looked at many of the places in your list, but I decided to stay at the World Heritage Center Hotel before. I stayed a week there in May. The location is great. It is across the street from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. From the room, I had a direct view of the Blue Mosque.

There is a light rail stop in front of the hotel that makes getting around Istanbul very easy. It takes about 12 minutes to get to Eminönü ferry.

The rooftop terrace is wonderful and there’s coffee/tea service until ~10pm. The breakfast is quite extensive and fresh cake available all day in the lobby.

The hotel staff are very friendly and helped me with anything I needed (e.g., luggage, tourist recommendations, dining options, etc.). Airport transfers from IST were €50 each way (cash only) and it is settled up at the hotel.

There are also several restaurants in the Michelin Guide around the corner and several delicious dessert spots.

The only downside is that it can get a bit noisy with the light rail (e.g. people boarding, bells, etc.). But it’s not much of a problem at night. Running the AC or wearing earplugs will help cut out any extra noise.

Hi Sara

Like you I will be in Istanbul after taking a cruise. I want to spend a few nights post cruise in Sultanahmet. My trip is October 2024 and this will be my first time in Istanbul.

I begin my research early.

Your discussion has been helpful to me and I am going to look into some of the recommendations.

I have also discovered many good choices on booking.com

Had no idea that Istanbul was so fascinating and fabulous.

Ive stayed at the Adamar a few times. The fact of a few times us my reference. But prefer Sura Design and Sura Hagia Sophia. All in the Sultanhamet.