Looking for hotel suggestions for a trip to Istanbul. Any recommendations?
Four Seasons at Sultanahmet has a lot of charm. I stayed at the Peninsula and found it very corporate and lacking character.
Got it! Just curious, did you use Uber or taxis to get around? I hope I’m not asking too many questions.
You can walk to most major attractions. Don’t miss the Cistern. The hotel is great too. Also, make sure to try a Turkish bath. If you want to go to the Bosphorus area, they offer a shuttle to their other property. From there, it’s a quick cab ride to the main shopping streets and the Dolmabahçe Palace. Plus, it’s within walking distance to Ortaköy. The Four Seasons shuttle between properties is free.
We used Uber and private cars.
Uber only calls local taxis for you. It’s not the same as Uber in other places. I find Uber better than hailing a taxi because most drivers don’t speak English, which makes communication hard. Taxis often take longer routes and overcharge compared to the meter. Sometimes I’ve had to dispute fares with Uber, and they usually fix it. Just be careful when getting out of the car; the driver sometimes inputs a higher number than what the meter shows. I took pictures of the meter to keep track. The only time I got ripped off was from the airport. I paid almost $100 for a ride that should have cost about $40. Uber adjusted it, but it took longer to get to my hotel than it should have. I mentioned my route to the driver, showing him traffic on my Apple Maps, which he claimed wasn’t updated, but then he finally took the right route. I wish I had said something sooner. At the end of the ride, he added 200 Lira for extra time. In short, Uber is my best option, but both options can be tricky. Taxis in Istanbul were my only real complaint. When hailing, they usually charge 20-30 Lira extra, but for 0.50 to 1.50 more, I don’t want to argue. The hotels will also call taxis for you. The St. Regis and Four Seasons called honest taxis for me. Private car services are pricey, like in Paris. I decided to risk it with taxis, and while it was frustrating, it was still cheaper overall.
Is it better to stay in the Sultanahmet area? I saw a lot of YouTube videos with people staying near the Galata Tower.
Definitely better. It’s close to the Blue Mosque, Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, and many other places.
Four Seasons Sultanahmet is near the main attractions in Istanbul and is the best hotel in that area. It can get crowded though. 2-3 nights would be fine here. Soho House is similar, but Four Seasons Sultanahmet is better in service. You can also stay at Four Seasons Bosphorus, which is quieter, and you can take boat shuttles between the two. Another option on Bosphorus is MO, which is popular now. Peninsula feels more American, and I’m not a fan of its location. But you didn’t say when you’re going or how many days, or what you want to do, so it’s hard to give the best advice.
I’ll be there from December 23 to December 30. I plan to stay only in Istanbul and want to explore both the European and Asian sides of the city. Just me, 27, and my friend, 25, no kids.
Where are you coming from? What’s your budget for accommodation per day?
We are coming from Texas, US. I aim to spend about $150 a day on accommodation. We’re not into fine dining, so any tips would be appreciated.
Unfortunately, you can’t find the hotels mentioned here for $150 a day. They usually cost around $800 to $1000 a day. Food and other expenses are extra. I suggest looking for other options in different threads. For $150, you might find some lower-tier hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott. But keep in mind it’s Christmas time, so prices might be higher since hotels expect more tourists.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski was beautiful and had a breakfast buffet that was amazing!
I just got back from Istanbul. I stayed at the St. Regis. It was away from the busy areas and the location was nice but nothing wowed me. Spago restaurant was really good. The Sultanahmet Four Seasons is nice but very close to tourist spots like the Blue Mosque, so it can be busy. The Bosphorus location is near some attractions like the palace but seemed less crowded to me. Both hotels are great, but I preferred the St. Regis. Ritz Carlton is nice too, and they have a Nobu restaurant that was good.
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