My family is planning a trip to Turkey in June. We will have a couple of days in Istanbul on both the front end and back end of the trip. We are considering staying in Sultanahmet at either the 4 Seasons/Seven Hills at the beginning and then in either Taksim or Beyoglu when we return. Should we try both areas or stay the old city both times? Also any hotel recommendations/opinions will be greatly appreciated.

I'd personally stick to the old city both times. By all means stay at least one of those times at the 4Seasons. How often can you sleep in a Turkish prison?

I would like to use both places because both places Sultanahmet and Taksim are different feeling and taste. You may stay in Prison BUT if you don't touch Turkish people what is the reason going to Turkey? you have to ask yourself this question. You can find some cruise in any country BUT GULET. You may stay in Prison and see Touristic side of Istanbul BUT how about Turkish people how do they live what do they do. Maybe we all are human and we all are doing same things BUT feeling touching and seeing are different and better then words.

Finally if you want to see TOURISTIC Istanbul stay in 4 season. Or stay in Taksim for your different feeling.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan

Sultanahmet is kind of touristy, but cute and quiet and a nice place to stay. Taksim seemed much more modern to me. It was nice to visit, but I can't say that I'd want to stay there. We stayed at the Uyan Hotel near the 4 seasons and enjoyed the location and the hotel. It was just a few minutes from St. Sophia's and the Blue Mosque. My favorite part was the rooftop terraces the hotels have in Sultanahmet and the beautiful views of the Sea of Marmara. It was very relaxing and nice. Have a great time! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

Hey, I hear there are some great small quality hotels not far off of Istiklal Caddesi in Begoglu/Taxim. Some sections look downright like a little Paris road. I'd recommend both. Sultanahmet is a nice experience, but does segregate you from a lot of other genuine attractions.

I will be in Istanbul from Feb 14- 16 for 2 nights. I am booking ourselves at the Yesil Ev (Green house)--this is in Sultanahmet. Does anyone know anything about this hotel?

We have stayed twice at the Yesel Ev Hotel and found it charming. It is the converted home of a Turkish Pasha and is in a great location to see the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The staff are very helpful and the breakfast delightful. We were there in the fall and were able to eat in the garden, but there is a very nice restaurant inside the hotel as well. Many of the rooms are decorated with brass beds, ours even had a fainting couch. I would recommend it. It is right near the Four Seasons Hotel, but a fraction of the price.

Re: Taksim vs Sultanahmet area hotels
Could you please help me chose a hotel, thank you!
While some of the hotel views in the Sultanahmet area look great, what I've read there is not much night life.
At night, we want to go out and see cabaret shows, belly dancing as well as whirling dervishes.
I read that Taksim has the night life. Can you please recommend a character hotel (budget $50-80) in the Taksim area? I could go a little higher in the budget if the hotel looks good.
Thank you!

Re: Sultanahmet vs Taksim Hotels
Another question please, thank you!
If we do want to go out at night for entertainment (belly dance, whirling dervish, cabaret, etc), what area would be best. Stay in Sultanahmet, then cab over to the dance clubs? Or stay in Taksim area. This is our first time to Turkey. Thank you again!

npc- you can't go wrong with the 7-Hills. A delightful hotel, just across the street from the 4 Seasons. The hotel-top retaurant offers a spectacular view. The food though good is not the best in Istanbul, but the view of Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque and Bosporus, all lit up at night is not to be missed. Our first night there we stumbled on dining during the English "Son et Lumiere" show at the Blue Mosque. Quite an entertaining evening, especially from our vantage point.

Last fall I visited Turkey with a tour group. We stayed in the Taksim area, but everything we wanted to see was elsewhere, mainly Sultanahmet. I would prefer to stay in that area next visit.