Hotels in Istanbul
Nov 27th, 2006, 09:23 AM
#42
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Just returned from a few days in Istanbul and I want to thank Julie Vikmanis for providing some valuable info. Unlike Julie, we had terrific weather. Temperatures were in the low to mid 60’s with lots of sun and no rain.
We loved staying at the Empress Zoe in Sultanahmet. Very atmospheric with great beds, pillows, showers, lovely courtyard where we had breakfast. Highly recommend the Chez Zoe suites which consist of a bedroom and a separate living room. The rooms are decorated simply but very well done. We had the Chez Zoe garden and deluxe garden suites which also have a small balcony overlooking the garden. Rates were very reasonable at €120 and €140 respectively with a 10% discount for cash. Rates include VAT and buffet breakfast. Location can’t be beat as the hotel backs up to the Four Seasons and is within minutes of all the major sights. The hotel also arranged for airport pickup which was very handy.
We did all the usual sightseeing. The mosques and the Grand Bazaar are something to behold. I don’t need to see the movie Borat as he moonlights as an English speaking guide at Topkapi Palace.
As for food, we had dinner outside at the Sabahttin Balikci which was very good-all fish and a lovely setting. Lunch at Yesil Ev in the conservatory which was great as the weather was beautiful. We spent quite a lot of time at the bar at the Four Seasons and had our version of Thanksgiving there. The dining room was full of Americans but we sat outside eating off the bar menu and it was terrific. We drank mostly the Dolmus Kav red wines which were quite reasonable.
The Empress Zoe was booked the last two nights of our stay so we decided if we needed to move we would go over to the newer part of the city. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton which of course has lovely rooms, baths, etc. However, we much preferred staying in Sultanahmet. None of us found one redeeming quality to Istiklal Caddesi. I had read about French Street which turned out to be a big disappointment. We did have a wonderful dinner at Mikla at the Marmara Pera Hotel-beautiful restaurant with absolutely fabulous views of the city.
We took Julie’s advice and took a cab over to Kanlica where we had a great lunch at the A’jia Hotel which is fabulous. The manager showed us two of the suites which are right on the water. He was also kind enough to have the hotel’s private launch take us back to the European side at no charge. I would like to stay there or the Sumahan on the Water someday.
We loved staying at the Empress Zoe in Sultanahmet. Very atmospheric with great beds, pillows, showers, lovely courtyard where we had breakfast. Highly recommend the Chez Zoe suites which consist of a bedroom and a separate living room. The rooms are decorated simply but very well done. We had the Chez Zoe garden and deluxe garden suites which also have a small balcony overlooking the garden. Rates were very reasonable at €120 and €140 respectively with a 10% discount for cash. Rates include VAT and buffet breakfast. Location can’t be beat as the hotel backs up to the Four Seasons and is within minutes of all the major sights. The hotel also arranged for airport pickup which was very handy.
We did all the usual sightseeing. The mosques and the Grand Bazaar are something to behold. I don’t need to see the movie Borat as he moonlights as an English speaking guide at Topkapi Palace.
As for food, we had dinner outside at the Sabahttin Balikci which was very good-all fish and a lovely setting. Lunch at Yesil Ev in the conservatory which was great as the weather was beautiful. We spent quite a lot of time at the bar at the Four Seasons and had our version of Thanksgiving there. The dining room was full of Americans but we sat outside eating off the bar menu and it was terrific. We drank mostly the Dolmus Kav red wines which were quite reasonable.
The Empress Zoe was booked the last two nights of our stay so we decided if we needed to move we would go over to the newer part of the city. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton which of course has lovely rooms, baths, etc. However, we much preferred staying in Sultanahmet. None of us found one redeeming quality to Istiklal Caddesi. I had read about French Street which turned out to be a big disappointment. We did have a wonderful dinner at Mikla at the Marmara Pera Hotel-beautiful restaurant with absolutely fabulous views of the city.
We took Julie’s advice and took a cab over to Kanlica where we had a great lunch at the A’jia Hotel which is fabulous. The manager showed us two of the suites which are right on the water. He was also kind enough to have the hotel’s private launch take us back to the European side at no charge. I would like to stay there or the Sumahan on the Water someday.
Dec 1st, 2006, 01:56 PM
#43
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Weekender, Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the city. I envy you the great weather you had. Next time I think I'll try Empress Zoe. Sounds great. Did you get to the top deck at Seven Hills for a drink? It is pretty spectacular.
Dec 5th, 2006, 08:37 PM
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My husband and I stayed for 5 nights at the Dersaaadet Hotel. If you stay there 3 nights they pick you up at the airport. This was a forst class hotel with a wonderful location. Breakfast on the terrace every morning was wonderful. Our last morning we had a early departure but they made sure to have our breakfast in the loby for us before we left.
Their E-mail address is www.hoteldersaadet.com Every question I had before I got there was promptly replied.
We had some timeshares but for fill in's we used Argeus Travel. Our agents E-mail was [email protected]
Turkey was such a wonderful country to visit-Chris
Their E-mail address is www.hoteldersaadet.com Every question I had before I got there was promptly replied.
We had some timeshares but for fill in's we used Argeus Travel. Our agents E-mail was [email protected]
Turkey was such a wonderful country to visit-Chris
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