rajshiv

Hi

We are a group of 4 adults and three kids (7,5 and 3 months old). We are looking for an apartment in a great location, very clean and well maintained and with a lift or first floor please. Our dates are 18th February to 22nd February. We would usually be happy with a basic well kept apartment. However as it will still be winters we might have to spend a little more time indoors than we usually do and a slightly nicer apartment might work better.

We would ideally want a three bedroom with two proper doubles with king size bed if possible At least in one of the rooms as we co-sleep with our baby.

Given the nature of our group we feel that we would be best accommodated in a 3 bed apartment. However we are not closed to the idea of staying in a hotel if the hotel has a family suite.

We would be happy to spend $250-300/ night for a really good place. The places that seem decent are all apartments listed near galata bridge. I have been looking at websites and can't seem to find proper 3 bedrooms in the sultanhamet area that are available and are nice enough. Also we would like to go to some good meals as my sister and I will babysit for each other on alternate nights.

Could you please suggest which might be the best apartment for us in terms of

- Location- We need easy and quick access to the old city (preferably 10-15 minutes door to door).. Preferably on public transport which is within 5-7 minutes of the apartment. Also taxis should be easily available and shouldn't cost much to get to the old city. We would also like to go to trendy and good places for dinner. So the area should have good restaurants and cafes so that we can get good dinner and breakfast easily.

- Easy access to and from the apartment in terms of lift etc as we have three kids and a buggy to schelp.

- Extremely clean and well kept apartment

- Good views if poosible

This is the list of apartments I have shortlisted:

Based on these criterias can you please help us choose the best apartment for us:

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/35945...uests=7&s=iNTq

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/37645...uests=7&s=G9F0

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/10280...uests=7&s=G9F0

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/14013...uests=7&s=DLG1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/22573...uests=7&s=DLG1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/41828...uests=7&s=DLG1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/41261...uests=7&s=DLG1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/47140...uests=7&s=DLG1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/11800...uests=7&s=DLG1

I am sorry about the really long list, however I was not sure about which might be best in terms of location and easy access and also in terms of good restaurants and cafes. Please feel free to suggest. Also any positive or negative comments on the apartment itself would be greatly appreciated.

Given the size and nature of our group I feel that apartment might work best for us. However if you feel that there are hotels that might work for us, we would be happy to explore those as well.

If anyone has any suggestions for us we would be very grateful. It is quite last minute now and I am panicking a bit.

Tomsd

No idea about apts but my wife and her girl friend are staying with a group - mid March - at the Sultanhan (sp) hotel - and they might have some suites? http://sultanhan-hotel-special-class.hotelbuy.info/

There are also some other hotels with great roof top views/places to sit at tables and have some snacks, etc.

I think with Apts unless somebody has actually stayed in the particular apt - it's all a bit of a roll of the dice.

rajshiv

I have used apartments in most other cities that we have visited with a lot of success. All apartments that I have listed here have a positive reviews, which I felt made them reasonably safe.

Until and unless things are very different in Istanbul I don't think I am taking a risk by going for apartments. U.S. that right?

Could anyone please weigh in on the apartments and the areas please.

Tomsd thanks for the hotel suggestion I will check it out.

geetika

Some hotels have "family" rooms, something like a small suite, that plus a regular room might work for you. I'd highly recommend the Uyan ([email protected]) in Sultanahment, they have a family room. They also have a lovely rooftop terrace Tomsd mentions, I'd email them to ask for a quote. For stay of 3 nights or more most hotels give you free airport transfer, they also have a discount for cash payment, be sure to ask.

rajshiv

Thanks for the suggestion Geetika. It does look like a good place. I will write to them and ask. The problem I am facing is that most family suites don't have two proper bedrooms. So we might have to take one family suite and one double room.

Can someone weigh in on the advantages of taking a hotel over an apartment.

Also any feedback on the apartments above will be greatly appreciated.

HappyTrvlr

We preferred staying on that side of the Golden Horn to Sultanhamet. You'll have better restaurants for one thing. I can't tell how far from the tram they are, though. They all look very nice.

otherchelebi

Almost all apartments you short listed are in rather run-down neighborhoods with some renovated and some old and dilapidated buildings and not very pleasant streets at night. No problem for singles, young couples or for older families with teenage children but not very suitable for families with small kids and a baby. Again most of them are on streets with cobblestone paving making it difficult or at least uncomfortable to use a stroller.

Sultanahmet area is definitely recommended for families with small kids because of the ability to pop back to hotel or flat at short notice during your visit to the main historic and cultural sites, although I find the area lacking in trendy and decent quality food.

I would totally dismiss Istiklal, Beyoglu, Galata, Karakoy, Tunel, Sishane, Cukurcuma, even Cihangir areas.

Taksim and Talimhane willprovide ease of access to public transport and taxis.

Nisantasi, rather upscale and with no public transport may still be considered if you can find a flat that fits your budget.

Besiktas has interesting ferry alternatives and has no tourists.It should also provide budget lodging in a nice middle class neighborhood with some decent shopping. Stay close to the main street that runs along the shore.

Ayaspasa, Gumussuyu, near Taksim are good neighborhoods but may mean some walking to get to mass transit. (Check Cheya Residences near where we live)