I am looking at booking a room in Istanbul at the Esans Hotel. I am booking direct with the hotel on their website. I can choose to book in USD, EU, or GBP. I feel like I should be doing the local currency, lira. But, that's not an option. So, the hotel or a local bank decides the exchange rate? Perhaps, the best choice is USD because it will only be converted once?
This hotel, Esans is in the Fodor's guide and is located by the blue mosque. Anyone stayed there?
It looks like you select the currency before you select the room. Prices are shown in the respective currency, so that is what your credit card should be charged, your credit card company will do the conversion, not them.
If they do something silly like inputting it as Lira, then converting that to a different amount from what was advertised, then I would address that issue.
Not sure why they are offering multiple currencies, unless they view it as more stable than Lira, over the last few years, by setting a price in USD or EUR, they come out ahead if your stay is months out.
Thanks, Paul. My stay is in August.
I guess that makes sense to me, so the price stated in USD is set, it can't change if the exchange rate changes? I guess if the exchange rate changes, it is likely to be in my favor, anyway.
Yes, The US$ has gained about 14.5% against the TL since I came home from Istanbul less than 5 months ago. I think it's extremely likely the TL will continue to lose value in the immediate future.
FWIW, I booked my Istanbul hotel through booking.com and the price at booking was shown in dollars, but my credit card was charged in lira equivalent when I paid on arrival. I noticed that Esans Hotel offers a 10% discount if you pay in cash, given the fluctuation in currency value you might need to check with the hotel very close to your arrival date to make sure you know how much that is exactly (if you're staying a long while, that could be a giant wad of cash, as the biggest lira note is a 200, about $6).
I haven't stayed there but I stayed near there (Agora Guesthouse) last fall. Bit of an uphill walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia from there and plenty of (mostly touristy) places to eat nearby. I can't tell from looking at the Google map but the area is pretty busy with people and traffic and you'll hear the call to prayer for both the mosques, so earplugs will help.
@FLIL, I won't be reserving thru booking.com, I avoid them wherever possible. I did have to use them a lot for New Zealand, and I know what you mean, you book or can book in USD or EU, but in the end it was charged in NZ dollars. This is different, I believe, in that the booking and payment will be in USD, or that's my understanding. I would guess it is a hedge on the part of the hotel provider given the continued devaluation of the Turkish Lira.
The hotel is quite reasonable, so I suppose it is not a huge deal if I lose out on a conversion that is not completely in my favor. We are not fancy, and I love to stay in quirkier, small family owned properties, as long as they are clean, and well reviewed. Love the look and sound of Esans and we are only there 2 nights before the start of a Viking Cruise.
I would probably stay in a quieter neighborhood if circumstances were different, but we'll want to see as much as possible before this cruise. We travel with earplugs so noise doesn't bother us.
Sorry Jules, didn't mean to suggest you use Booking, rather just giving my experience with a "book now, pay later" rate. If the price is reasonable as quoted in US dollars then go for it. And the location is great for your limited time there, close to all the big ticket sites and a reasonably short walk to the Sultanahmet tram stop to get around. Have a great trip.
CL, no need to apologize. I understood what you were getting at. I appreciate the input.
