robbie9

Hi! We are 2 couples in our 50's, spending 1 week in Istanbul, arriving March 12 (very soon, I know!). We have the first 3 nights accommodation booked, but are looking to try another place while we are there, as well. Our preference would be the Sultanhamet area, clean with a strong Ottoman flair, preferably on the "larger" size for the room, with friendly staff willing to provide good advice, under 100 Euros per night. Would anyone know of such a gem?

Secondly, one of the things we would like to do is to experience a traditional Turkish bath, in a traditional Turkish bath house (rather than a fancy hotel). My brother recommends a place in Bursa as the best experience they ever had, but can't remember the name of the establishment. Any recommendations?

Also, if you were to recommend some day trips out. . . . any suggestions regarding itineraries or companies? Specific guides for sight seeing in Istanbul?

Finally, I want to thank OTHERCHELABI for the excellent info already posted on this forum. It has been very helpful. I saw that someone thanked you for the restaurant names - said they were great - but I couldn't see the names themselves. Would you mind repeating?

Thanks all, for your as always, good advice!

rbm

Istanbul is not in Europe; perhaps you should try another forum.

ellen75005

robbie, we stayed at the Faros on Divan Yolu in Sultanhamet. Both rooms (we stayed at the beginning and end of our visit to Turkey) were large, especially by European standards. It's a few steps from the light rail stop and around the corner from many of the sites. The staff was friendly and accommodating. My husband's suitcase never made it and they were helpful in recommending a mall and other stores for some clothes and essentials. Not sure it's under 100E, though.

We took the ferry up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black Sea. It was one of the best day trips I've ever had - relaxing and beautiful to see the houses lining the strait, all the fishing boats and big tankers. Here's a link to my trip report if you haven't seen it. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

And yes, otherchelebi is a gem! He was so helpful to me when I was planning our trip.

Have a wonderful trip!

Ellen

worldinabag

Hi

Showing good rates is the Ayasofya Konaklari - http://www.ayasofyakonaklari.com - located on enchanting Sogukcesme Street. Go for the room with Ayasofya view.

progol

Actually, rbm, Istanbul is in both Europe and Asia. I believe the Bosphorus divides the continents as well as the city. Sultanahmet and many of the other popular districts, are in Europe.

And, most important, many Fodorites who travel to Turkey post in the Europe forum! So, this poster is in the right place.

robbie9, I agree with ellen - I loved the trip up the Bosphorus as well. It's a very relaxing day and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in Anadolu Kavagi, the last stop of the ferry going up the Bosphorus (this town IS in Asia, by the way!).
Paule

Aduchamp1

RBM

The Sultanahmet is in the European part of Istanbul.

We stayed at a relatively new hotel called the Tan. I am not sure what you consider Ottoman flair but it is clean, pleasant, and modern rather than 17th century and run by a Sultan.

robbie9

Thanks Ellen and Worldinabag - both hotels look like good choices and I will investigate further. With so many choices in the Sultanahmet area, I still hope to find that gem!


Ellen, I've started in on your trip report and it looks great; thank you for the referreal to the site.

I checked out the Tan and the double is not available, and at over $550 Canadian per night for the triple, much too dear!

The trip up the Bosphorus is a "must do" and like the idea of stopping in Anadolu Kavagi. Has anyone stayed on the Bosphorus side? Would it be worthwhile to spend a few days there?

Other suggestions? Turkish bath, anyone? My husband has already said HE won't go, but I know our friends will!

Thanks!
Robbie

otherchelebi

hello Robbie, Thanks for your thanks.

Unfortunately it will be quite cool when you arrive but reasonably dry.

Under the circumstances, the full Nostalgic Bosphorus cruise is not recommended. There are four alternatives:

1. Take the nostalgic tour boat to Rumeli Kavagi (European side last stop) or Sariyer for much better fish restaurants and ability to get back by land transport, thus allowing you to visit Sadberk Hanim museum and/or sabanci museum, and or Rumeli Hisari, and/or Ortakoy, etc.

2. Take a 90 minute Turyol cruise (from eminonu also at pier on Golden horn sideof Galata bridge)

3. Take commuter ferry to Uskudar, walk a bit, take bus or taxi to Kandilli, have a reasonably priced good fish lunch at Sunanin Yeri just next to the ferry landing, take ring ferry to get off at one of the piers across the Bosphorus, Emirgan, bebek, or Arnavutkoy. Get back to taksim or hotel by land transport.

4. Take an evening commuter ferry from Eminonu, up the Bosphorus, get off on the any of the villages, have dinner and get back by land transport.

Here is the link for th ferry schedules in English:

http://www.sehirhatlari.com.tr/en/

Regarding Winter-like Spring locations for restaurants :
-Prokopi: cozy, friendly bar/restaurant with Armenian specialties
-Changa (Taksim and Emirgan locations) for excellent fusion
- Hamdi at Eminonu for reasonably good meat kebaps (lamb Shish kebap suggested) with terrific view. (for lunch especially)
- Mia Mensa, at kurucesme on the seaside, on the expensive side. immaculate italian.
- Nisantasi, Abdi ipekci Street restaurants for people watching to see how Turkish yuppies dress, eat and act.
- Asmalimescit, Tunel area restaurants for people watching to see how yuppies mingle with the social climbers (Refik, Asmali, Yakup, Sofyali, Otto) These are meyhanes where you are supposed to sip the Turkish national lions milk (raki) and eat tiny amounts of meze from tiny plates which cost a lot.
- Borsa restaurant for overpriced but excelent turkish lamb specialties
- tiny Hacibey Restaurantat Nisantas for excellent Iskender Kebap (you can ony get one other item, a lentil soup, recommended, and nothing but the kebap), for a reasonable price (only lunch)

- Husrev (new on my list) for Ankara government bureaucracy type meals and setting. Excellent Great norther White Bean casserole and Rice with lots of butter (!), reasonably good Black Sea type meatballs.

- Restaurants on Akarsu Street, Cihangir for the neighborhood/bohemian street setting. (Try some Konya blue cheese from the small deli, "Antre". You will not find it anywhere else in Istanbul as far as i know. In fact, you can get them to make you some excellent sandwiches with whatever you pick in terms of cheeses, meats and especially meze, to take with you on your sightseeing)

- Hamam: Check Trip advisor. Either Cagaloglu or Cemberlitas. One gets bad reviews and the other good reviews.
You can also try Galatasaray Hamam (different hours for men and women) on Istiklal.

- Recommended long day trip : Iznik (nicea) i am sure i wrote about it on former posts. If you cannot find it and would like more info, please ask. There is a possibility that we may be going there one of the days you will be in turkey to check the new kitchen in our tiny home close to the lake.
(you can check some photos from last year at esercelebiler at webshots which site also has lots of our photos from our balcony and recent trips.)

Jackie

I stayed at the Hotel Dersaadat. Staff was friendly and helpful; hotel was clean; location was great. I think after a 10% discount for cash, the price was about 100 euros. Room was on the small side, tho.

Aduchamp1

I was surprised at the cost for hotel rooms at the Tan. I went to Expedia and entered March 12-15 and a triple was $166US per night.

JudyC

I stayed at http://www.hotelsultania.com/en/homepage for one week last month, lovely hotel, good rates, centrally located, within walking distance to many sites.

mvor

We stayed at the Hotel Sari Konak in May http://www.istanbulhotelsarikonak.com and really enjoyed it (great roof terrace with a view of the blue mosque: see my profile pic for a photo that we took from the terrace).

The hotel staff were really lovely and it's in a great location. We had one of the apartments and my in laws had a deluxe double which were both large but are a little over your budget. They do have superior doubles in your price range. Have a terrific trip!

robbie9

Thank you for your responses. I have researched hotels and will be making enquiries. They all look good. (Aduchamp1, the Tan unfortunately was not available for March 15-20, which is when we would need it). Great to narrow down the choices by getting good recommendations!

otherchelebi, thanks again for the invaluable info on cruises and restaurants.

I am printing out a number of trip reviews and info and will be taking it with us. Wish us good weather!

Regards,
Robbie