We would like to stay in the Sultanhamet area of Istanbul but due to lots of luggage etc. would like a hotel room that is a decent size and has a queen size bed as well as a good walking location. Some of the hotels I've read about sound absolutely charming but the rooms and bathrooms look minute! We can't afford the Four Seasons but can pay around $150. per might. Any recommendations or are we asking for too much??

Check out the hilton Istanbul on Expedia.I was able to get a room for $169.Ask the desk when you arrive for a room in the business section.Huge rooms with extra large bathrooms.Fabuloous luxury at a reasonable price.

When we were in Istanbul i the summer of 98, we stayed at the Spina. This is a special class hotel (restored Ottoman house) with all ammenities including a/c, big room/bathroom, very nice staff. Breakfast served in roof garden with a view of both, the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia. The staff is very accomodating and nice (they'll provide you with just about everything you may think of ... just ask - a small tip, of course, is a must . We used a regular double, which was fine for us, paying $78/night on a 5-night stay, for B&B and airport transfers. While there, they offered us one of their suites (very large and bathroom with bathtub) for $120/night. I would guess that prices have gone up since (unless you just show up and bargain!) but I bet you can get the suite for less than $150. The hotel location, about 60 meters from the Four Seasons, is excellent (I would say that possibly only the Yesil Ev has a better location but their $150/night rooms are on the small side). <BR> <BR>You may contact the Spina (if it hasn't changed since) at <BR> <BR>http://www.istanbulhotels.com/spina/english.htm <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Hiwe recently returned from Istanbul. There is a Four Seasons in the Sultanhamet area. O don't know the rates, but there is a good restaurant across the street that we ate in twice. We stayed at the Sarnic Hotel wheich is a Special class. Paid 60 USD a night and we each had our own bed rather than 1 queen. It also included rt transportation from the airport and breakfast was included. Check out www.twarp.com. I found the hotel using their website. alan

<BR>Choose and book a room for your next trip in Istanbul <BR> <BR>Welcome to our selection of the most charming hotels in the center of Istanbul. Envied locations, calm and cosy atmospheres, elegance, we offer you the best in quality and service. <BR>Ferit <BR>www.istanbulshotels.com

Stayed at the Arcadia About $150/night or less. Great view from rooms above the 4th floor. One block from Blue Mosque. Quiet street. breakfast ( with magnificent view) included. Room size ok We had two twins -maybe they have a queen! If interested sreply and Ill look up their E-mail address. You'll love Istanbul.

I would clearly advise everyone not to book with www.istanbulhotels as listed above. It would be difficult to have a good relationship with a firm that does not speak English. They clearly don't understand English or they would have understood what it means not to advertise on this site. If they don't know the meaning of the English word "advertise", then they probably wouldn't understand more complex English terms like "private bathroom", "air-conditioning", and "cleanliness".