Istanbul- recommendations on where to stay

HER INDOORS



Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 09:26

Please can anyone advise me on which area to stay in Istanbul and also recommend a Hotel/B&B. Thanks

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 09:45

Having just been last weekend (for the 1st time!) I would say depends on what you are going for.

If it's your first visit and you want to do the sights then Sultanammet (spelling?) is a great place walking distance from Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Cisterns and also Grand Bazaar. On the other hand if serious shopping is your thing then you want to be in Taksim. We stayed at the Golden Horn Hotel in Sultanammet which was a lovely hotel with great views from both our room and the roof terrace - only drawback for us was it didn't serve alcohol :-( but that may not be a problem for some people. I'm sure you'll have a ball - we can't wait to go again!

Maggie

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 09:49

Forgot to say I booked the hotel through Booking.com they have loads to choose from to suit all budgets - you don't actually pay until you get to the hotel.



Maggie

BigMart


Joined: 26/02/2009
Posts: 423

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 10:17

Faros Hotel is right on Sultanammet, very welcoming, very clean, goood food and a bar, what more could you want ?

swyflot


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 916

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 10:23

Won't stay anywhere but the Hotel Arcadia in Sultanahmet, clean, friendly. great views and wonderful breakfast, only minutes from all the "sights" and reasonably priced

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 13:38

We recently stayed at the Hotel Arcadia for three night break. Agree with swyflots comments, also great views from the rooftop restaurant where breakfast is served. Within walking distance of many of the historical places of interest that Sultanahmet has to offer. Hotel has a lift to 6th floor but have to walk up steps to the 7th floor where the restaurant is...(just in case anybody has mobility difficulties).

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 15:14

For luxury then either the Intercontinetal Istanbul or the Hilton

Riddles


Joined: 26/04/2011
Posts: 429

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 15:26

For friendly and good-value try Harmony Hotel (see TripAdvisor)

kiwikid


Joined: 18/08/2008
Posts: 496

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 18:53

I Love staying in Taksim, the night times are amazing with more people on the street at 1am then at 1pm. You can be having a beer at midnight then pop in to The Gap and buy a shirt, I don't think the place ever sleeps.

The Metro is easy to use so you can get to all the sights in Sultanahmet for about 2 tl and takes about 20mins.

Have walked it once and it took about an hour, but worth it as the sights were great.

You are also walking distance to Dolmabache palace, the maritime museum and Galata Tower, which is a must see, especailly at night.

A fish dinner on the Galata bridge is another must do. And if you are in Taksim you have to go to the Balik bazaar, The stuffed mussels there are fantastic.

Have a great time, LOVE Istanbul!!! Have been about 8 times now and there is always some thing new to see.

Angela

kiwikid


Joined: 18/08/2008
Posts: 496

Message Posted:
03/07/2011 18:56

Forgot to say there are hotels everywhere in Taksim, go on to trip adviser for some suggestions

Another hint, if you go to the Grand Bazaar and see something you like and are happy with the price buy it!then!, you will never find the shop again if you try to go back for it.

Angela

carian


Joined: 13/03/2009
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
04/07/2011 11:03

Have to agree with everything in Angela's posts, Istanbul never stops!!

If you are going mainly for the historical sites choose the Sultanahmet area but if you like shopping as well go to Taksim. Its very easy to access the metro system and trams from Taksim so you can get across to Sultanahmet very easily and can also get the metro to the big shopping malls eg Cevahir, Metro City etc.

HER INDOORS



Joined: 14/12/2007
Posts: 152

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 10:09

Thanks everyone for your advice - all I need now is to persuade my other half !

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 10:20

Terri Msg 12 - have a look at some of the mini tours we offer for an idea or ask us for an hotel and a guided tour.

All run by a proper TURSAB agent in Istanbul with professional guides etc.

http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/Shore_Excursions_Turkey_Day_Tours.php - day trips in Istanbul and other areas

Mini Stays http://www.fezbus.co.uk/Short_Tours_Turkey.php - Istanbul 3 days from £139

flamefabs


Joined: 09/07/2011
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 10:44

we always stay in the Sultanhammet area - its seriously lovely there.





Barry

LooseBoots



Joined: 08/02/2009
Posts: 1258

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 11:06

We stayed at Seraglio Hotel In Sutnahmet. http://www.hotelseraglio.com Nothing was too much trouble for them and the breakfast was amazing..................



See trip advisor.



They even had a deal where you could either be picked up at the airport or taken there on departure.

If you go to Galata tower you have to go to Mollys cafe which is literally next to it. She has a page on facebook. Warm welcome and scrumptious food.

carian


Joined: 13/03/2009
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 14:12

RE message 12, once you've persuaded him to go you won't have to do it again because he'll want to go back!!

I'd probably wait until September because of the heat, you do a lot of walking in Istanbul so best to go when its a bit cooler.

LondonCypriot


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 426

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 14:44

Be warned they will try to sell you carpets and they will hasle you and hassle. Keep all your personal belongings safe and watch out. The place is not like Cyprus so be warned. Just be careful.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 17:16

LondonCypriot



I assume that you are joking otherwise your comments couldn't be further from the truth. Came back from a 4 night stay in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago and have already booked up to go back again. Fantastic, friendly city but you are right, it is not like Cyprus. The place was spotless, loads of litter bins which the locals actually used !!



Her Indoors - We stayed at the Hotel Amira in Sultanahmet, rated number 1 on Trip Advisor and well worth it's rating. Small boutique hotel where nothing is too much trouble. Step out of the front door, turn right and you are 5 minutes walk from the Blue Mosque.

carian


Joined: 13/03/2009
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 17:53

Re message 17, just be aware of your valuables as you would be in any busy city or town.

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 18:20

We went at Xmas for 4 days at the Orka Royal Hotel, very central, 5 mins from train station and used to walk from Sultanahmet to Taksim over bridge and up the steep hill. High street was good People very friendly. Food brilliant outside. We only had our breakfast in the Hotel which was very good, buffet style. Room was clean and it served the purpose. This hotel has mixed bag of comments on tripadvisor, but we did not experience any of the negative problems people have expressed with one exception about the reception staff, just one person who seemed to have an off day every day we were there, otherwise fine. Recommended.

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 18:24

Who organises these trips from Ercan ?

Anyone got a website in NC who can arrange flight and hotel etc

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
09/07/2011 20:40

Turtle Try flightholiday in mess 13 Tom from there will have no trouble in helping you