We are flying into Ataturk, early one morning after a transatlantic flight and leaving early the next morning from Gokcen for Cappadocia. We will spending a full week Instanbul in before we return home.

On the day of arrival we will probably explore whatever neighborhood we stay in on foot but not truly sightsee.

In which area should we stay? Can you recommend a hotel for $125 max?

Thank you

Despite much advice to the contrary in this forum, I recommend Sultanahmet. My wife and I picked this area for a two week stay in Istanbul a year ago because we wanted to be within walking distance of most of the things we wanted to see. The sights we liked the most were the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Mosaic Museum near the Arasta Bazaar, the Hippodrome, the Yerebatan Cistern, the Archeological Museum, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, the old city walls, and the Chora Church. To get to the Archeological Museum and the Grand Bazaar we used the tram. We took a taxi to the city walls and the Chora Church.
We also went to the new city on the tram, but found it uninteresting.

We stayed at the Sari Konak hotel, just down the street from the Arasta Bazaar. The standard double at the Sari Konak presently costs $139, a little outside your range, but the room rate includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We picked Sari Konak because of its location and because of its reputation for having helpful desk clerks, which was well deserved.

Good luck on your trip, and don't forget to eat a simit or two.

Where will you be staying when you are there for a week? I'd choose another area just to experience a different flavor, especially since you won't really be doing any "real" sight seeing.

For one day we were looking for convience and a small taste of Instanbul.

We have had many connecting flights in London and spend that day here or there, just to be in different parts of town.

Although we usually shun tourist areas, ut on the return we will probably stay in the Sultanahmet or the Beyoglu area.

http://www.dersaadethotel.com

I spent three nights at the Dersaadet in Sultanahmet and loved it. The rate includes tax and breakfast and there is a 10% discount for cash (euros, dollars or Turkish lira). The airport is about a twenty minute ride. Rates depend upon when you stay. The hotel can arrange transportation to the airport for you.

I stayed there based on a Fodors trip report but I don't remember whose.

There is a rooftop terrace with wonderful views of the Sea of Marmara and the Blue Mosque, which is a five minute walk. You could easily walk there, through the Arasta Bazaar and wander around the Hippodrome area and even visit the Basilica Cistern if you want. Wine, beer, coffee and tea is available on the rooftop terrace.

Have you checked out Empress Zoe? It is in Sultanahmet and gets rave reviews.

Sorry, but I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton whilst in Istanbul.

If I were to return to Istanbul, I would stay at the Ciragin Palace.

Thin

Adu, where you should stay depends on what time your flight is out of SAW, and what transport you are going to use.

If you are going to use the Havas bus, you should stay at Talimhane/Taksim which is a vey short walking distance from the Havas bus stop. You should also find decent hotels there within your budget. will save you at least half an hour and taxi fare.

Will be minutes from Cihangir, Beyoglu and a bit longer but walking distance from Nisantasi.

I suggest taking a cab to Arnavutkoy your first evening and walking the shore from Arnavutkoy to Bebek, eat delicious kofte/piyaz at Ali Baba or horse mackerel (istavrit) at adem baba (very reasonably priced), and icecream at Girandola (the best in Istanbul), with a cup of coffee at Divan bebek or drinks at bebek hotel bar.

Thin, if you get to my domain, consider staying at Bebek Hotel, rather than the Ritz.

- You will be able to walk outside the hotel in an upscale area and fun area.

- the bebek hotel restaurant is good, has excellent breakfast and has one of the best bars in Istanbul.

- It is reasonably close to Sortie and Reina

- The rooms are 45 square meter junior suites with small balconies for two stretching over the Bosphorus, and vey nicely furnished.

- You can visit Bosphorus university, established as Robert academy for Boys in 1863.

- You can take the ring ferry from Bebek ferry landing for going up to Emirgan, or across to kanlica for yoghurt or Kandilli for excellent simple fish at Sunanin Yeeri next to the Kandilli boat landing.

Definitely Sultanahmet.

Thank you all for your suggestions and we are considering many of them.


We are preparing for the trip by eating some Turskish Delight that was imported but available at a local store.