Hello
I just signed up for the Best of Istanbul on the dates mentioned above. It’s now a sold out tour. Anyone in the forum group going on this tour and want to connect. I’m going one day early and might try to take a tour with Metin Koca since he comes recommended.
Any hotel suggestions other than the tour hotel, Azade Premier, which has mixed reviews?
This is my first visit to Turkey.
Thanks! I appreciate any suggestions.
I'd want to stay in the area near the tour hotel to minimize the time required to switch. I've walked through that general area; it's less "challenging" than some other parts of the Old City. I think it's a good area for visitors.
I haven't been inside any of the hotels in the area. Right next to the Azade is the Hotel Acra, which is used by some of the RS tours. You can start by checking that one out. You can also go to booking.com, enter your dates and zoom in on the map to see what's available near the Azade. I've found booking.com reviews to be generally accurate; you cannot leave a review on that website unless you have actually stayed at the property.
I stayed at Agora Guesthouse which is across the street from the Azade. It's not fancy but has nice staff, great breakfast on a roof terrace, and a spunky hotel dog named Deniz (she's a golden retriever). I got a good rate through Booking.com.
If your tour materials include an offer for a pre-tour foodie tour with SRM Tours, I'd suggest taking it - fantastic. It would be listed as an option in your tour prep materials. Also recommend reading through these two posts by CWSocial that will answer many of your questions (they were very helpful to me):
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-to-fall-in-love-with-turkey
Thanks for the help. I’ve been checking booking - lots of options.
Good luck sorting out the accommodations. I would pay attention to the reviews on Booking especially re: noise. The Sultanahmet area can be very noisy (I just used ear plugs). Also I forgot to mention the Agora prices on Booking are the cash payment rates, there is a credit card fee.
I wouldn't want to switch hotels so I would stay in the tour hotel. All the many hotels in all our RS tours have been traditionally "Rick" - well located, often family owned, clean, and friendly.
We took the Istanbul tour in October and it was a great . We are long time independent travelers and this was the only tour we have taken. The Azade Premier is well located for this tour. It is not fancy but was comfortable and the service was excellent and friendly.
If you write the hotel as your tour documents suggets you can get a reservation for the extra nights(s) and request you have the same room as you will have on your tour. We considered changing hotels for before or after but didn't. We are very happy we made that choice.
You will love the tour!
