Expert Reviews of Istanbul Hotels

Editors of Subtleties

Where to settle in Istanbul?

It is worth noting that local hotels are located not only in popular tourist areas, but also residential areas, where among the usual unremarkable buildings the "Otel" sign flaunts all the time. However, such an accommodation option will still be left to those who are well acquainted with the local culture, traditions and travels more on business than enjoying popular attractions and resort life.

Even the prices for accommodation do not depend on the area: a luxury hotel can be among the slums somewhere near the city walls, but near the popular tourist places are many hostels and budget hotels. In other words, the choice of housing in Istanbul should start not based on the budget, but on city maps.

Tourists arriving in Istanbul for the first time should not settle on the other side of the Golden Horn Strait: this is explained by nothing more than considerations of saving time and money. If you want to see the main sights, you will have to start each day from the ferry to Europe: it can be romantic, but also extremely tiring.

Choosing between the northern (Beyoğlu) and southern (Sultanahmet) shores of Golden Horn Bay, think again about The purpose of the trip: if you want to inspect architectural monuments and walk around the bazaar, then choose the south, and if you explore the shops of Chukurjuma, and in the evenings to taste rakiyu - prefer the north.

Lovely area for tourists is located exactly behind the Blue Mosque: the majority of the old buildings - from office buildings to the Ottoman palaces and mansions - restored and transformed into a hotel. For example, one of the best hotels in the city, Four Seasons, is located in the former prison building.

There are also many hostels and inexpensive restaurants around Akbıyık Caddesi Street. The streets of this part of the city are well lit in the evenings, which is an incredible rarity for the old city.

Features of accommodation and pricing in Istanbul

The cost of hotel rooms in Istanbul against the background of the general cheapness may seem too high, however, called declared prices. In other words, published in brochures and on websites can significantly bring down simply bargained on the spot price

course, a bargain is not accepted in each hotel -. In hotel chains and prim-class hotels it may not be appropriate, however small otelchiki Even at the height of the season, it is quite possible to gambol "scuffle" at the counter, from which both parties will be satisfied.