So glad things seem to be on track..Nice way to wake up to see that someone is perhaps finding room in the Inn.. Let me know what happens and also let Turkey Travel know. They are very responsive!!(and valuable to those who use them)

I will let Turkey Travel know for sure amer_can. The place who responded for the full week is very plain and they have told me repeatedly that the rooms are very small with no views. But what am I to do? I feel this is meant to be. It's called Terrace Guesthouse. It's the only one of all the places and I would guess near 100 that I have contacted that had a positive response. I think there is a reason and no doubt I will find out on this adventure. Normally we would like a bit more comfort than this but I think we will be kindly taken care of and that goes very far....as you know. I thank you very much. I would never have found them otherwise and was already giving up on this tickets and all.

Have you tried small hotels? We went last August and I had no trouble but when booking for April this year I did have some issues finding rooms. We also needed four rooms.
We stayed at Sebnum Hotel which is very small and you have to e-mail them to book them rooms.Great service and close to everything. Good Luck.. Istanbul is wonderful.

My favourite in Istanbul is the Turkuaz. I hasten to say that this place is very Turkish and might not suit most Fodorites. But if you are that desperate.... They speak English and are very accommodating. They will get back to you if you enquire on their website or give them a call. And it will not cost $2000.

Yes, mostly small. Believe me when I say I tried everything. I am very thorough. I heard from a friend in Europe that he has had this problem getting a room in the Spring in Istanbul for a few years now.

And thank you gertie, I will check it out and the same to ttraveler I will look into the Sebnum. Meanwhile, I finally after a week have the one I mentioned so I get on to confirming other aspects of this trip.

Hi again

Try

Oran Hotel - http://www.oranhotel.com

Tan Hotel - http://www.tanhotel.com

I am so glad you have a place to lay your head.. Perhaps after you arrive they will have a bigger room w/ a view. Hope I didn't steer you wrong!!! confirm the rest of your trip and away you go!!! You should love this area..very exotic, colorful, historicalerc, etc, etc.. Our very good tour guide, if you are interested, was with Backpackers tours..Again highly recommended.Our guide was Delik and she was a delight..

Thank you worldinabag~ both those hotels are fully booked. thank you for trying.

OMG, sounds like Istanbul is the hot spot at the moment! I booked a hotel in New York on the hotels.com site. Hassle free booking and got a great rate. I had a look for you on that site. Search for Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Looks like some good deals. Don't know what the hotels are like - Trip Advisor may help. Good luck.

Yes world I have done that already! There has been no stone left unturned.

Geez, we're going in June --- so glad I already have my reservations booked! Sorry you're having so much trouble (I obsessed too, before I found something I hope will suit all of four of us).

Empress Zoe?

JustineA - If you can <b>give us your dates</b>, you'll get recs for places that actually available. It doesn't sound like you are too concerned with the room size or view as you are with location.

I'll bet you can find a super-nice 1BR apartment on VRBO in the Sultanahmet for less than half your max budget since many people (even those who rent vacation apts elsewhere in western Europe) tend to shy away from apartment rentals in Istanbul for some unknown reason.

Twice the space and luxury for half the costs - just a thought...

We're not staying here, because we decided to stay in Sultanhamet, but we did find what looks like a really nice apartment in the Istaklal/Taksim area.

http://orientpearl.net/

We have found accommodations and are satisfied with them.
Thank you everyone for your help, it's very much appreciated.

Congratulations! Thanks for letting us know.

www.airbnb.com.

I personally stayed at the Hotel Empress Zoe, one spring, but I assume that one is booked,too.

Happy travels!

Yes, Guenmai, that was one of my first tries. I would have loved to stay there and a number of other places that were all full. Normally, I have a few months to plan but this was a last minute decision. I have planned other trips at the last minute and have never had this kind of problem before. I think that May, before the heat starts, is a popular time there. Very much looking forward to being there and I know the accommodations that I have found are not ideal but they will have to do and I'm just glad I found them. Thanks again to everyone I would not have found what I did without the Turkey Travel Planner.

Just in case you want to try one more hotel, I stayed at the Erboy Hotel last fall. Loved the location, the room and staff. The rooftop terrace had fabulous views of the Bosphorus.