Hi,
I promised to organize a trip to Istanbul next May for a group of approx.24 people. I'm not a travel professionnal, just someone who knows Istanbul fairly well, because I worked and lived there for 1 year some 20 years ago. I have been back of course, many times, but I stayed with friends, not in hotels.

One of the main problems for me is to find a good hotel, let's say a 3 or 4star decent hotel.
Therefore, my question is the following: in your very recent trip (1 or 2 years) to Istanbul,
- which was your hotel,
- in which neighbourhood,
- what did you appreciate in this neighbourhood,
- how where the rooms? size? clean? tranquillity?
- how was traffic noise around the hotel?
- distance to the metro line?
- ...

Thanks beforehand to all of you

I stayed in both Four Seasons and Marmara Pera last year. If you want some details on either one of these, just say, or write, the word. I am sure you know about 4 Seasons; Marmara Pera offered a great view and an excellent location across from Pera Palas Hotel.

Seems like only a larger hotel will take a group of 24 people. Others on this site have had problems booking rooms for a group of only 9 people in the smaller Istanbul hotels.

You might have a shot at the Seven Hills Hotel -- a truly gorgeous terrace and rooftop that will really impress the whole group, right next to the Four Seasons. It's more expensive and I think slightly more upscale than it's neighboring hotel the Uyan, which I absolutely loved. If you can book the Deluxe rooms at the Uyan, I think these are a great value, and very nice rooms. Don't know if they'd accomodate a group of 24 but the owners are great.

Hi

Have a look at Hotel Sultanahmet Palace - http://www.sultanahmetpalace.com. The location is excellent - Sultanahmet (hence the name!). I didn't stay there but I did drop in for a drink. I had a quick look around (not at the rooms though) and was really impressed with its Turkish ambience. I found the staff to be personable too. For such a large group I'm sure you can negotiate a good rate. Book ASAP though.

Friends of mine were on a convention and they stayed at Sultanahmet Palace. They gave very good reports of that hotel.