Looking at Hotel Options in Istanbul and lost as to what is the best area for a 4 night stay. We like to be central, safe and walkable to restaurants, shopping, etc. This will be our first trip there in April. Doesn't have to be super fancy hotel (3 or 4 star is fine)...location is more important.

What areas (or specific hotels) would you recommend?

We loved the location of the Hotel Armada and thought it very nice. We walked everywhere and felt very safe. Not luxurious by Four Seasons standards but very nice. It has been about 5 yrs. ago. We loved Istanbul - have fun. Jan

Marcie, the Four Seasons is in the old, historic part of Istanbul right next to the Blue Mosque and easy walking distance to the Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi. I don't think you can find a better location. We could even see an archaeological dig from our window. It's on the Europe side of the Bosphorus and you can see the Bosphorus from the patio on the roof. A lot of the nicer hotels like the Kempinski, Conrad, etc. are on the other side of the river in the newer part of Istanbul--not nearly as convenient if you want to see the sights. But some of them are right on the river with fantastic views and one of the famous Palaces is over there. Be sure you take a boat ride down the Bosphorus to the Black Sea--great scenery.

Marcie, definitely try to stay in the Sultanahmet, the old part of the city. It's charming. Aside from the Four Seasons, there are charming guesthouses as well, traditional Ottoman Inns. You can read about them on http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/ .

Things change quickly, so you might want to get recent reviews on the favorites at tripadvisor.

We stayed the Dersaadet, which was very pleasant. Only downside was a small mosque with a recorded muezzin's call to prayer right outside our window. The rooftop cafe, where we had a very pleasant cold buffet breakfast, had a view of the Blue Mosque, although not the best view probably.

Marcie, definitely try to stay in the Sultanahmet, the old part of the city. It's charming. Aside from the Four Seasons, there are charming guesthouses as well, traditional Ottoman Inns. You can read about them on http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/ .

Things change quickly, so you might want to get recent reviews on the favorites at tripadvisor.

We stayed the Dersaadet, which was very pleasant. Only downside was

Marcie,

Check out Yesil Ev (The Green House), which is located almost next door to the Four Seasons. Very well-located. We had lunch there with our guide. Excellent lunch and service.

If I hadn't received my employee rate at the beautiful Ceylon InterContinental, we would have stayed at Yesil Ev.

Yesil Ev

Marcie,

Last time I was in Istanbul we stayed at the Hotel Uyan . Perfect location about a block from the Four Seasons and walking distance to everything.

Buffet breakfast is included in the rate and for a stay of three or more nights a transfer to or from the airport.

Marcie,

We also stayed at the Hotel Uyan. Great hotel, the room was very nice and spacious. I would recommend the hotel. It was a nice breakfast too.

Carolyn

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! What a huge help you are!

Yes, the old part of the city....easy walk to all the historic sites, lots of restaurants and shopping (even walkable to the Grand Bazaar!) We stayed at the Four Seasons...and absolutely loved it! I did a review way back in the Hotel section. One of our best hotel experiences ever!!

Been doing some research on the hotels you all suggested....for the dates we'll be there the Four Seasons is $650 per night.

OUCH!!! I don't think so!

Marcie - ouch is right...did you check with AmEx FHR program? Often, their rates are a bit better and include breakfast, upgrade, etc.

While it isn't in that area, all of the hotels near Taksim are very nice too....Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Conrad...you will have to take a cab, but they are all lovely and much better priced than the Four Seasons, which we understand is outstanding for style, service and location. We paid $225 per night for a club room at the Ritz (water view, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, hors d'hoevres, dessert (after dinner). There was so much food, we didn't have to go out to eat. It covered the cost of a taxi! It was lovely. Everyone I spoke with loved their hotels. Istanbul has a very high quality of service and amenities.

And to think that Delta messed up so we missed our stay there for $300 a few years ago - plus we stood up Suzanne at the bar ;)

Still doing research and I've sent some inquiries directly to hotels. Some of the "S" hotels (specialty boutique hotels) in old renovated Ottoman homes sound quite nice, albeit smaller rooms but many have balconies and great views so this is a big plus. They all seem to include breakfast as well. It's fun researching so many options!

After the wonderful large apartment we had in Rome with Joanna & Tony for one week, we're quite spoiled....time for reality check!

The more I've read up on Istanbul, the more excited I am to go there....it sounds like such a great place!!

I've also read and heard good things about the Empress Zoe. It's very close to the Four Seasons. There's a description here: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/IstanbulHotels/IstSpecialHotels/EmpressZoe.html

Don't know about elevators (important), or the size of the rooms.

Istanbul is one of my favorite places. I could visit again and again.

We peeked in on Empress Zoe when we were there about a year ago. It's on the backside of the Four Seasons going downhill towards the Bosphorous. Not as good a view of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia or the Hippodrome areas. It's more residential and probably has a better view of the river. Public areas look ok; rooms small and beds not to my liking (I am picky about beds).

We did find the advertisements for the rooftop breakfasts are seasonal at the hotels in the Sultanahmet hotels. We chose an Ottoman hotel with a lovely view advertised on their website. We peeked in before the start of our stay. It turns out they locked the top floor after Sept. 15! I can't remember the name; it was in the Hippodrome area. After seeing the rooms & realizing we'd be using the ground floor breakfast area (no where near as nice as the rooftop choice), we cancelled it.

We were using Credo Tours, so they got us a discount vs. Expedia or the hotel's own websites at Ereswin Crown. More expensive than the Ottoman hotels; less than 1/2 the cost of the Four Seasons. It lacks the charm of the Ottoman hotels and the slightly better views. It's still easy walking distance to the major sites of Sultanahmet. I was simply more comfortable there (I am getting picky). As it turns out, we both came back from India not feeling well, so we were very glad for the level of accommodation at Ereswin Crown.

Marcie, nearly all the hotels will include breakfast if you ask. Make sure that's negotiated in before you leave.

Cheers, Anne

When we were there in 2004 everybody was talking about Yesil Ev (yellow house) as the best of the Ottoman Inns at that time. Friends of ours had a meal there (they were staying at the Four Seasons), and enjoyed it very much. We walked by it and it seemed very nice. Location could not be better, although I don't know about rooftop views.

Note that if you stay in this area, there's a great little bazaar which is just a street full of shops, but is kind of like a mini-grand bazaar. It's call the Arrasta Bazaar, and is just behind the Blue Mosque. I had great fun there.