Istanbul

Best and worst accommodations:

Best: Hotel Empress Zoe
Why: Very helpful folks in reception including someone who was there for us at 3am when the shuttle to airport was late. Fabulous breakfast, delightful courtyard. We choose the "budget room" which was fine except that its window faces the street and between the loud tourist parties to 2am and the call to prayer at 4:30 am, you may only get a couple of hours of quiet.

Gail Gerdemann in Albany, OR USA 06/26/2008

Best: Hippodrome Hotel
Why: It was great! Very friendly staff, free internet computer access, clean simple rooms, good breakfast at nearby Obelesk Hotel and I found the Hippodrome on Expedia.com for only $65 a night! Near everything and easy walk from Metro and Tramvay.

Amy Sinclair in Novato, CA USA 06/05/2008

Best: Hotel Hippodrome
Why: Clean excellent rooms, modern bathroom. Great buffet breakfast (served at the Obelisk Hotel roof top terrace)

Suzanne Lau in St Ismier, France 04/28/2008

Best: Obelisk Hotel
Why: Great location; comfortable room; super-clean; tasty breakfasts on the rooftop terrace with views of the Sea of Marmara, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia.

Helen Holter in Seattle, WA USA 11/01/2007

Worst:
Why: We chose our own from past visits to Istanbul.

Annette Bannon in Gig Harbor, WA USA 10/11/2007