Anyone on the board stayed at the Hotel Ambassador in Istanbul and have commments?
Thanks!

I have stayed in the hotel, a good small hotel, great location. Rooftop breakfast with great views. Good service, they booked train tickets for me and had them when I arrived, no prepayment for tickets. Free airport pickup service.

See http://www.hotelambassador.com/index.htm

Garfield, it seems that you are the only Fodorite that recently (this year) has stayed at this hotel. Was it really centrally located and how was the breakfast? On their website, there are very limited views of the rooms. They themselves told me if I come in the summer, to stay in a room on the lower floors. But then, I read somewhere that the lower floor rooms are dark. We are going in late September for 3 nights. Do you highly recommend the hotel? Thanks. Wanda

I stayed at this hotel about three years ago and didn't have a very good experience. We booked via their website a couple of months in advance and took advantage of the free airport transfer. During the transfer the driver informed us that the hotel was full but he would take us to another hotel nearby - we were obviously unhappy - the driver said some people had arrived at the hotel that morning and they had given our room away. We asked to be taken to the hotel anyway to see the manager. We saw the receptionist who, in between trying to sell us excursions, said yes the hotel was full and they had arranged for us to stay at a three star hotel nearby (at that time the Ambassador was classed four star) for the same price. During the ensuing discussion we discovered the hotel did have vacant rooms but they were holding them for people who had booked that morning via telephone. Needless to say after much arguing we were eventually given a room. The hotel itself was fine - it is located down a rather shabby alley and yes the lower floors are dark due to the proximity of the building opposite - which appeared to contain a sweatshop - but it is very central and within walking distance of most sites. The advertised restaurant was permanently closed but the views from the breakfast room are stunning. The room and bathroom were clean, neat and comfortable. I'm a frequent visitor to Turkey and love the people, food, country etc. but this hotel left a bad feeling from the staff constantly trying to sell us something every time we entered the lobby to the absolute extortionate prices in the hotel bar.

Just to close this loop, I was not able to book at the Ambassador for my dates but did visit the place. Location was fine - wouldn't characterize the location as shabby, but it is in the older part of the city so neither is it sparkling steel and glass - rather akin to the feel of the Latin Quarter in Paris, without the rows of restaurant hawkers. Easy walk to the Sultanahmet tram stop which you can see from the terrace, and to the main attractions. It is not a posh place, more "charming and quaint" but clean and the staff was very friendly. They even sent a fax for me though I was not a guest there. Next time I visit istanbul I would like to stay there if possible.