I’m planning a trip to Istanbul and need help finding hotels. What do you recommend?
Four Seasons at SultanAhmet has a lot of charm. I stayed at the Peninsula, but it felt too corporate and lacked character.
That makes sense! I also wanted to ask, did you use Uber or taxis to get around?
You can walk to most major attractions. Don’t miss the Cistern! The hotel is great. Also, try a Turkish bath. If you want to explore the Bosphorus area, they have a shuttle to their other location. From there, it’s a quick cab ride to the high streets and Dolmabahçe Palace. It’s also walking distance to Ortaköy. Four Seasons offers a free shuttle between properties.
We used Uber and private cars.
Uber just calls local taxis for you. It’s not like Uber anywhere else. I think Uber is better than hailing a taxi since many drivers don’t speak English. Communicating directions can be tough. Taxis, even if called through Uber, often take longer routes and overcharge. I’ve disputed fares with Uber before and they adjust it, but sometimes drivers input higher amounts on the app. I started taking pictures of the meter and making sure I see them input it before getting out. The only time I had a bad experience was from the airport; I paid almost $100 for a ride that should’ve been around $40. Uber adjusted the fare, but it took a long time to get to my hotel after a long flight. I wish I had said something earlier in the ride because it wasted time. The driver even added another charge at the end. So, long story short, Uber is better than hailing, but both have their issues. Taxis are my main complaint in Istanbul. Hailing them often costs an extra 20-30 lira, but honestly, at $0.50 to $1.50 more, I’m not going to argue about it. The hotels can also call taxis for you. The St. Regis and Four Seasons would call honest taxis for me. Private car services are really expensive, like Paris prices. I decided to take my chances with taxis, and while it was frustrating, it was cheaper.
Four Seasons Sultanahmet is fantastic! If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, try Armada Hotel a few blocks away. It has an amazing view of the Blue Mosque and the Bosporus, plus a great breakfast buffet.
Is it better to stay in the Sultanahmet area? I’ve seen a lot of YouTube videos of people staying near the Galata Tower.
Definitely. It’s close to the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and many other attractions.
It depends on how many days you’re staying and what you want to see. You can cover the sites in Sultanahmet in about 2.5 days. Galataport, where the Peninsula is located, is livelier at night with a great dining scene and shops.
The Four Seasons Sultanahmet is close to all the main attractions and is the best hotel in the area, but it can be crowded. 2-3 nights would be fine here. Another option is Soho House, but Four Seasons has better service. You can combine it with Four Seasons Bosphorus, which is in a quieter area, and there are boat shuttles between the two. Another good option on the Bosphorus is MO. It’s really popular right now. The Peninsula feels more American, and I’m not a fan of its location. You didn’t mention when you’re going, how long you’ll be there, or what you want to do, so it’s hard to give specific recommendations.
I’ll be there from December 23 to December 30. I plan to stay in Istanbul and explore both the European and Asian sides of the city. It’s just me, a 27-year-old woman, and my 25-year-old friend, no kids.
Where are you coming from? What’s your budget for accommodations per day?
We’re coming from Texas, US. I’m aiming for about $150 a day for accommodations. We’re not into fine dining, so any advice is welcome.
Unfortunately, you won’t find any of the hotels mentioned here for $150 a day. Prices will be around $800-$1000 a day just for the hotel. Food and everything else is extra. I recommend looking for suggestions in other threads. For $150, you’ll likely find some lower-tier Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott hotels. But keep in mind it’s Christmas time, which might raise the prices as hotels expect more tourists.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski is beautiful with an amazing breakfast buffet!
I just returned from Istanbul. I stayed at St. Regis. It was away from the chaos and the area was nice, but nothing really wowed me. Spago restaurant was very good. The Sultanahmet Four Seasons is nice but very close to all the tourist spots, like the Blue Mosque, so it can be busy. The Bosphorus location is near some attractions, like the palace, but seemed quieter. Both hotels are nice, but I’m glad I chose St. Regis instead. Ritz Carlton is nice too, and they have a Nobu restaurant which was also good.
Consider using a Virtuoso travel advisor. Message me and I can send you my contact.