I’m planning a trip to Istanbul and need some hotel suggestions. Any ideas?
Four Seasons at Sultanahmet is really charming. I stayed at the Peninsula and found it lacked warmth.
That makes sense! I have another question, did you prefer Uber or taxis to get around? Hope I’m not asking too many questions.
You can walk to most of the main attractions. Don’t miss the Cistern. The hotel is fantastic. Try a Turkish bath too! If you’re heading to the Bosphorus, they have a shuttle to their other property. From there, it’s a short taxi ride to the shopping areas and the Dolmabahçe Palace. It’s also a nice walk to Ortaköy. The Four Seasons shuttle between properties is free.
We mostly used Uber and private cars.
Just a heads-up, Uber calls local taxis for you. It’s not like in other places. I found Uber better than hailing taxis since most drivers don’t speak English well. Communicating directions can be tough. Also, taxis often take longer routes and overcharge. I had to dispute fares a few times, but they adjusted them. One time I paid nearly $100 for a ride to my hotel when it should’ve been around $40. Uber did adjust it, but I was frustrated since I had already traveled for almost a full day and it took me extra time to reach my hotel. I finally spoke up about the route, showing him my Apple Maps, but he said it wasn’t updated. When I showed him the traffic, he finally went the right way. The only time I got really overcharged was from the airport. Taxis are my main complaint in Istanbul. When you hail them, they usually charge 20-30 lira extra, but for a small increase, I won’t argue too much. The hotels can also call honest taxis for you. The St. Regis and the Four Seasons helped me with this. Private car services are pricey, like in Paris. I ended up taking my chances with taxis, and even though it was frustrating, it was still cheaper.
The Four Seasons Sultanahmet is fantastic. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, check out Armada Hotel nearby. It has an awesome view of the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus, plus a great breakfast buffet.
Is it better to stay in the Sultanahmet area? I’ve seen many YouTube videos where people stayed around the Galata Tower.
Definitely! It’s close to the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia, plus many other attractions.
It really depends on how many days you’re staying and what you want to see. You can see the main sites in Sultanahmet in about 2.5 days. The Galataport area where the Peninsula is located has more nightlife and great dining options.
Four Seasons Sultanahmet is close to the main attractions. It’s the best in the area, but it can get crowded. 2-3 nights is a good length of stay. If you want something similar, check out Soho House, but Four Seasons is definitely better in terms of service. You could also consider the Four Seasons Bosphorus, which is quieter, and they offer boat shuttles between the two. Another great option on the Bosphorus is MO, which is very popular right now. The Peninsula feels more American to me, and I’m not a fan of its location. You haven’t mentioned when you’re going, how long you’ll stay, or what you want to do, so it’s hard to give a specific answer.
I’m going from December 23 to December 30. I’ll be in Istanbul and want to explore both the European and Asian sides of the city. It’s just me, a 27-year-old female, and my 25-year-old friend. No kids.
Where are you traveling from? What’s your budget for accommodation each day, if you don’t mind sharing?
We’re coming from Texas, US. I’m aiming for around $150 a day for accommodations. We’re not into fine dining, so any advice would be really appreciated.
Well, you won’t find any of the hotels mentioned here for $150 a day. Expect to pay around $800 to $1000 daily just for the hotel. Food and other expenses are separate. I suggest looking at other threads for ideas. For $150, you’ll probably find lower-tier hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott. But keep in mind it’s Christmas time, so prices may go higher due to increased tourism.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski was beautiful, and their breakfast buffet is amazing!
I just returned from Istanbul. I stayed at St. Regis, which is away from the chaos, and the area was nice but nothing special. Spago restaurant was excellent. The Sultanahmet Four Seasons is nice, but it’s very close to the tourist spots like the Blue Mosque, so it can get busy. The Bosphorus location is also near attractions, like the palace, but it felt quieter to me. Both are nice options, but I preferred staying at St. Regis. The Ritz Carlton is good too, and they have a Nobu restaurant that was enjoyable.
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