Kadikoy?

Interesting that your hearing staying in Sultanahmet should be avoided since that's where the hotel for my RS starts. I have no recommendations since this is my first trip there.

Sultanahamet is full of boutique hotels, often older Ottoman houses that have been converted. It’s close to the centre of things, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, restaurants and shopping. It’s certainly where I would consider staying if I went to Istanbul again. It is busy and possibly would be noisy at night as it is popular with tourists. What did you hear that makes you think it should be avoided?

I am hearing that Sultanahmet is very crowded and loud and everything costs more there and that it is better to stay away from that area.

Not true?

We chose to stay in Taksim instead of Sultanhamet to avoid the huge numbers of tourists there. . We preferred to stay in an area with more locals. We went to Sultanhamet to visit the historic sites and mosques there. That would be the reason to avoid it, being surrounded primarily by other tourists, not locals.

Have you spent time in Istanbul before? Unless you are especially interested In spending most of your time on the Asian side of the city, I would not choose to stay in Kadikoy. It is a long and time-consuming way from most of the places you are likely to want to visit in Istanbul. Sultanahmet is certainly a very popular place for visitors to stay, as there are many small and some larger hotels, and it is very convenient to many of the most historic and beautiful sites in Istanbul. Also nice to be able to stroll there in the evening and nighttime, when things are quiet and many major sites are illuminated. No reason to “avoid” Sultanahmet, in my opinion. I myself have stayed 3 times at the wonderful Regie Ottoman Hotel in Sirkeci, about mid-way between Sultanahmet and the Galata Bridge, easily walkable to either one. Lovely old building, large and comfortable rooms and bathrooms, friendly and helpful staff, great value for the quality, I thought. They also served a varied, abundant and delicious buffet breakfast, at least they did pre-pandemic.

Thank you for the helpful feedback!

We will now look for a hotel in either Sultanahmet or Taksim.

Thank you so much!

I also stayed in Taxim and thoguht it achieved what I always look for when booking accommodation: an area busy with local life, that also provides easy access to the touristic core.

Be aware that Taksim square is the epicenter of any demonstrations that may occur.

Four Seasons Sultanahmet( best one) or Double Tree by Hiltons in Beyazit are two great hotels there.
If you avoid Sultanahmet, then you avoid real Istanbul where action is:) . Instead of Kadikoy, I would stay in Uskudar. Its easier to go to Sultanahmet with under sea train.

We booked a hotel in Sultanahmet and are looking forward to a wonderful time in Istanbul!

Thank you everyone for your helpful inputs!
Very kind of you!