I came several days early for the 7 Day Istanbul Tour. I just checked into The Haze Hotel and used an arranged airport transport through the hotel. Everything went very smoothly at airport pickup even though my flight was delayed. The hotel needs cash for this ride and they accepted US$60 or Euros or T Lira and that fee can cover up to 4 folks. I thought it was a great price for a ride that was close to an hour. The Haze Hotel is friendly and they have apparently just renovated a number of rooms. I paid the single supplement for the tour but also called the hotel and arranged to pay an additional fee for a larger room as I have friends in Istanbul that will be coming by. All great.
Posted by
ATL, USA
423 posts
We are doing that tour in October. Thanks for the info on Haze Hotel. I'd love to hear more about the tour as you have time to post. It's our first RS tour, first time in Turkey, and we're really looking forward to it.
Posted by
Kansas, United States
1078 posts
Smith279,
Please post a trip report when the tour is over! I've been on seven RS tours and I'm interested in the Turkey Tour.
Posted by
1 posts
We are planning to take this tour 2023. Following this or any relevant thread. Would love to hear about anyone’s tour. Thanks.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4659 posts
We must be on the Best of Istanbul tour immediately following yours. Glad to hear that the Haze airport transfer went smoothly as we'll be using that as well.
Hope your tour is going well!!
Posted by
6 posts
The folks at the Haze Istanbul Hotel are amazing. I lost my phone in the airport transportation van on the way to the hotel and didn't realize until later that evening. The hotel manager tracked down my phone the next day and even sent one of his employees in a taxi to pick it up since the driver didn't want to drop it off. They went above and beyond!
Posted by
near San Francisco
4659 posts
I loved the Haze Hotel and its staff. Incredibly friendly and helpful.
I have a few comments about the hotel and lots more about my Best of Istanbul and Best of Turkey tours in my on the road style trip report.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-to-fall-in-love-with-turkey
Posted by
3 posts
We were looking forward to our stay at the Haze Hotel in September as part of our tour. Today we get an email from Rick Steves changing the hotel. Anyone know what is going on? Very disappointed!
Posted by
Los Angeles by way of Providence and Rome
560 posts
I'm on the Best of Turkey tour Oct 17-29 and also was staying at the Haze and received the same email from the RS tour. The "new" hotel, the Acra, was actually the original hotel, and then we were switched to the Haze. There were some unfavorable comments on the forum about the Acra being tired and threadbare back in early spring when the first tours took place, so I assumed that was why the Haze was selected. Perhaps the Acra has been spruced up?
Cynthia
Posted by
13 posts
I am on the RST of Turkey the end of September. I saw the negative post about the Acra Hotel and the positives about The Haze so I too was disappointed at the change. However, I can say that I looked at lots of reviews for the Acra and they were positive. I can also say that my experience with the Acra via email has been fantastic. They responded to my email in less than 10 hours the first time and we've had various emails back and forth since, all timely. The hotel staff person that I have been in touch with, Erdal Öztürk, has been more than responsive. He immediately responded to my request for a car from IST to the Acra Hotel. On paper, it's all looking good! Hopefully, the actual experience matches this. But in any case, the Acra Hotel staff person has been excellent!
Posted by
near San Francisco
4659 posts
I stayed in both the Haze Hotel (8 nights) and the Acra Hotel (2 nights) during my Best of Istanbul and Best of Turkey tours in May and June.
The staff at both hotels are simply amazing.... friendly and helpful.
Both hotels have small elevators. Coincidentally on the 3rd floor (same room number!) in both, I took the stairs.
The breakfasts are both extensive: the Haze brings a selection to your table. Their rooftop breakfast room allows for a wonderful morning view. The spacious basement Acra breakfast is buffet style and I did like making my own choices, including a specialty coffee machine.
The Haze feels new and efficient, with small rooms, located in a modern district not far from the Galata Bridge and near lanes with plenty of cafes and restaurants. The Acra has more spacious rooms, in an older hotel (our shower was a bit cranky, a bath was easier) in a neighborhood with tons of character and a very short walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
From the Haze, I took morning walks through cute lanes and along the Bosphorus. From the Acra I took morning walks through adorable Old Town lanes and to the beautiful grounds of the historic Mosques.
I'd be delighted to stay again at either hotel, not least because I'd be back in Turkey. If I were on a business trip, I might choose the efficiency and location of the Haze. For the Best of Turkey itinerary, especially the morning activities, the Acra is definitely in a better location, central to Old Town. For a personal trip, I'd stay there.
If you're staying a few extra days, you could conceivably stay in both! Alternatively, the two are 4 tram stops apart or a hearty walk and you can visit both neighborhoods.