Location, cleanliness, are 2 very important features for me. I will be staying for 4 nights.

Any extras, such as, internet, breakfast, good size rooms would be a plus.

Thanks!

Ibrahim Pasha. We are AA frequent fliers too. (That's how we got to Turkey!) It's near the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, etc. in Sultanhamet but on the West side nearer the market and so more quiet than the most touristy area of that section of the city. It was quiet. From their website it would appear they have upgraded their rooms since we stayed there in 2003. Very nice little roof terrace, very good breakfast and very friendly staff.

I meant to include the website also. www.ibrahimpasha.com

The Chez Zoe suites at the Hotel Empress Zoe are wonderful and reasonably priced. Great location in Sultanahmet. We loved it. www.empresszoe.com

Hi
When we visited Istanbul several years ago we stayed in the Sarnic Hotel. It's in the Sultanahmet area. Close to Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque etc. The hotel included breakfast. English speaking, friendly staff. We stayed for a week there and found it safe and near everthing. They also picked us up at the airport.

We stayed four days this summer in the Hotel Erguvan in Sultanahmet down the hill from the Hippodrome in back of the blue Mosgue. Our room was comfortable, the service was very good, there roof top cafe had a great view and the price couldn't be beat.

Can it be a 4-star? If so, we stayed at The Seven Hills Hotel in Istanbul,just across the street from The Four Seasons. Very good location for seeing most of the major sights, lovely old rooms, some with amazing views of the Blue Mosque, internet available in the rooms, gorgeous rooftop restaurant, free breakfast included.

http://www.sokullupasahotel.com/index.htm
That's one of the nicest hotels I've ever been to. It's in a historic aristocratic town house, complete with a private hammam that they're heating for you on request. And the location is central & convenient, a few steps from the Blue Mosque.

Try the Mavi Ev (blue house), in Sulthanaamet.
Nice, good breakfast,excellent location

Franco,
Did you have dinner here also?

Where? At the Sokullu Pasa? I don't even recall that they are serving dinner! I had very good breakfasts there, and great dinners in various places throughout the city (Istanbul is one of this planet's really great places for foodies), but that's another story...

I am also looking for a similar hotel. I am going in December, and would like a rooftop restaurant, if possible. And either a suite or two adjoining rooms. Thanks. I'm looking at Sari Konak and and Fehmibey. Thanks for any input!

Franco,
On the website there are some beautiful pictures of the dining room.

I have read many of your posts and made notes from them. (I especially loved the food posts for Venice.)Do you have any type of reports about anything in Istanbul? I would love to read them.

I am more excited about visiting Istanbul than I can say. We have a year to plan and I'm already dreaming about it at night.

Brahmama, that dining room is where I had breakfast. I don't recall any possibility to have dinner there, but maybe that has changed since. No, I don't have an Istanbul thread, since I don't consider myself a real Istanbul expert (though I know the city pretty well, but an expert, no I'm not). If you want, we can start a new thread about Istanbul restaurants in order not to hitchhike this one. Maybe we can get ekscrunchy to join in, I think she knows Istanbul at least as well as I do. Do you want to start it?

...or also about Istanbul sightseeing, of course...

I'm not a "name" on here. Why don't YOU start it and ask Ekscrunchy and other Istanbul lovers to join in. That would be wonderful for those of us planning and dreaming!

Ok, will do (though I don't consider myself a "name", as well). Check the forum in the next few days - I need some time to organize my thoughts on Istanbul!

still looking for a nice 3 Star in Istanbul - $150 top

sari konak

>>I am also looking for a similar hotel. I am going in December, and would like a rooftop restaurant, if possible. <<

I donīt think fletch16 is looking for that rooftop nowadays, that was written two months ago. But if s/he is, I would just like to say that nobody wants a rooftop restaurant in December. Last time I was there in December it was snowing.

One certainly does not have to spend 150 dollars for a *** in Istanbul. Those are available with way less than 100.