jelopez33

Hi:
Planning a visit to Turkey in mat/june 2011; want to ask a question to all of you that live in or have visited Istambul:
We are offered hotels in Taksim zone(many hotels),plus the Barcelo Eresin and Barcelo Saray.
Which zone is best for first timers?(in our 60s,in good form,great walkers).
Thanks in advance.

qwovadis

www.booking.com/city/tr/istanbul.en.html

Otel.com IST based great values Antala Palace

one of my favs a best western 5 minutes from the Blue Mosque

my fav area.

janetk

I've been to Istanbul many times as I lived in the region. Taksim is rather sterile for a first time visitor but the other two hotels aren't really in the interesting area. They border on it, I think. The interesting area is Sultanemet (sp) but most of those hotels are fairly small and independent. Travel agents and tour operators might not offer them to you. Granted some of them have very small rooms and bathrooms since they are restored Ottoman buildings but they do have charm. I suppose the Barcelo Saray is the closest as far as I can tell but it's kind of in a boring area, too. I'm having trouble figuring out where it is. Look on a bigger map and see how close to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi (not just using the name) the hotels are. Big hotels mean further out since there isn't room for them in the older area usually. Inside the old walls doesn't mean that much-Sultanamet is the tourist area. The only issue with Sultanamet is that I felt it didn't have a lot of good restaurants. They are across the bridge in Beyoglu but you can take the tram. Lots of walking in Istanbul and take a boat on the Bosphurus, if you have time. Go to St. Savior in Chora to see the mosaics, my personal favorite.

Michael

I would choose the Sultanahmet area for the hotel. You might want to look at my trip report; just click on my name to find it.

jelopez33

Qwovadis:Many thanks;i will study your suggestion.

Janetk:Thsnks for your cooperaation; Barcelo Saray has great comments,and is 100 metres to the grand Bazaar; plus is on the route of the tram ¿all of this is for good or bad? thanks in advance.

Michael:i have found your report and I will study it as soon as possible; thanks for your answer.

Troyguy

Hi Jelopez33, I am a travel blogger & advisor who lives in Istanbul& London as a local I would recommend Sultanahmet area Barcelo Saray is a nice hotel and has a nice location but there are too many nice options there.Right in the middle of historical peninsula. If you would like to feel the history deeply Sultanahmet Old city is right place for you.
Taksim also would be nice option if you like crowd, trendy restaurants, cafes, pubs, trendy shops etc.
Taksim and Sultanahmet are not so far away from each other takes about 15 min by taxi and costs about 7.00Euros
I hope you will find my tips usefull.
Cheers

jelopez33

Tryguy:
Thanks for your most useful comments; I really appreciate them.Almost for sure we will make our moves in 2 or 3 weeks,but for now,I will really like the Barcelo Saray,lots of good comments and very walkable(at least it seems so to me).thanks again