Istanbul

Best and worst accommodations:

Best: Apex Hotel
Why: We highly recommend that you include this hotel in the accomodation section of your Istanbul Guide. Ibrahim, the manager, is exceedingly friendly, helpful, and interested in serving your travel needs. He gave us information, tips, and directions which smoothed our travel. We wanted to take an overnight bus from Istanbul on the last night of Ramadan. When Ibrahim was unable to get bus reservations because it was full, he took it upon himself to make plane reservations which he payed for himself, trusting that we would repay him on our return to Istanbul 10 days later. This is indicative of the trust and interest that Ibrahim shows in helping guests feel at home. Apex is in an ideal location with rooftop views of the Blue Mosque. The rooms are charming, and the staff are all very friendly and responsive. During Ramadan we were invited to celebrate with staff and share a special homemade dinner. These are compelling reasons why you should check this place out for inclusion in your book.

Susan BaileyKadin in San Luis Obispo, CA USA 11/22/2009

Best: Tashkonak Hotel
Why: Your book didn't provide the best review, but I had already booked it before I received the book. I went ahead with it anyway and had a great experience! The rooms weren't huge, but it was reasonably priced and the staff were really helpful. We found it to be a really good experience.

Sara Patterson in Atlanta, GA USA 06/15/2009

Best: Apricot Hotel
Why: Fantastic hotel: cheap, perfect location to walk to the old town sights. The staff could not have been more helpful.

Matti in Chicago, IL USA 04/12/2009

Best: Aya Sofia Pensions
Why: The room was in classic style, they had upgraded us to a view room of the Hagia Sofia, the service from the bell boy to the desk clerks was in all ways superior, and the breakfast was excellent.

Carol Miller in Cypress, CA USA 11/20/2008

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