Dersaadet means "place of happiness" in Ottoman Turkish and this small hotel lives up to its name. Rooms have an elegant, even plush, feel, with colorful rugs on the floor, wood furniture, and ceilings hand-painted with Ottoman ornamental motifs. The top two floors of the hotel have rooms with views, while a cozy terrace, where breakfast is served and classical music plays in the background, looks out on the sea. Deniz Duyar, the hotel's young owner and manager, earned his MBA in New York and runs the place with a high level of professionalism. Pros: extraordinary level of service; lovely terrace; good value. Cons: some rooms modest in size.
Reviewed by Luisah from Florida on 11/7/09
I spent three nights at the Hotel Dersaadet and enjoyed every minute. My room was small, but charming and had the best reading light I've ever had in a hotel. Books are available in the reception area, as well as free internet service.
The Dersaadet is a few minutes walk to the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome area and the Arasta Bazaar is just around the corner. Restaurants abound in the neighborhood, which is very quiet at night. I slept with the window open and was only awoken by the meuzzin's call to prayer in the morning. I enjoyed hearing the cry in "stereo" from all the mosques in the neighborhood -- it was really a lovely sound to me.
The Ottoman-style hotel has been refurbished to a high standard with interesting details. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, which has views of the Marmara Sea; I especially enjoyed the sunset from the terrace and seeing the boats, large and small, cruise past. Coffee, tea, wine and other alcoholic drinks are available on the terrace.
I heartily recommend the Dersaadet and would stay there again if I return to Istanbul.
Reviewed by BeniciaChris from Benicia,California on 2/19/09
We stayed here a few years ago and could not have had a better experience. They picked us up from the airport because we were staying more than 3 nights. The room was large and clean. The breakfasts were wonderfull-what a setting with a view of the Blue Mosque.
The morning we were leaving we had an early flight-I asked if we could have coffee in the lobby. Not only did they bring us coffee they brought us a full breakfast. they also helped us get ferry tickets because when we came back from Cappadocia we were renting a car and going to Yalova. They also kept some of our bags since we were only going to Cappadocia for 2 night.
This was in a safe neighborhood easy walking distances to the main sites. We had friends who were comming to visit us-she had her purse snatched & all the local business owners ran after the young man and got her purse back.
Would I go back there-In a heartbeat-i would stay in a suite next time. This is one of the most Magical cities in the World.
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