We are 2 parents and 2 teenage sons looking for a nice authentic turkish experience hotel in Istanbul - any suggestions? Want to immerse my children in the local culture but still be comfortable. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ttt for flycatcher

I don't have any hotel experiences for you specifically, but there were a couple things we did in Istanbul that I would highly recommend, if you don't mind. One is the Basilica Cistern, an underground water storage tank built in the 6th century. We were fortunate to be there for an avant guard art exhibit, with large blinking holistic eyes hanging from the ceiling and black and white movies shown underwater, accompanied by new age music and the drip-drip-dripping of water echoing through the hall. A scene from the James Bond film, "From Russia With Love" was filmed there. Not too far away within walking distance is the famous Turkish Bath Cagaloglu Hamami, frequented in the past by the composer Franz Liszt, Florence Nightingale, Omar Sharif, Rudolph Nureyev, and numerous kings and dignitaries. A massage at this authentic Turkish bathhouse is an experience not to be missed. http://www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr/

Basilica Cistern: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern

Need definition of "comfortable" - I mean what is comfortable to you? What do you need? spa baths? breakfast? tour desk? on-line movies? 24 channel TV? Phone? bedside lights? What is it you want? And what is "authentic" exactly. What are you expecting to find in your "authentic" hotel? Belly dancing? Turkish plumbing?

Be more precise please.

Hi there, Trying to get away from an American chain and maybe a local hotel that is special in some way or is in a picturesque central location. Do not need flat screen tv's - breakfast included would be wonderful.

Thank you for the 2 above ideas - i had read about the cistern so glad to see someone else thought that it was worth it.

Hope this helps - thank you for all your ideas!

IMO, the Lares Park is a very authentic hotel very close to the Taksim Square. It has an excellent Turkish breakfast, an indoor pool and a breathtaking Turkish hamam. Highly recommended. 4 stars.

Besides, Taksim is THE area to be for teenagers.

http://www.laresparkhotel.com/laresi.../indexeng.html

Depending on your budget you will find the hotel to your taste within Sultanahmet area.
Sultanhan can be a good option.
Have fun in Istanbul,
Murat

I was last in Istanbul in 2004 - my third visit. On the previous occasions I had just pitched up (1989) or had been with a group camping on the edge of the city (1994). This time I booked on line (as you do!!) and was very pleased with my choice.

A Turkish-run pension with a great location in Sultanhamet. But no belly-dancing!

I had a lovely big room with small fully tiled en suite (which is OK by me - I'm a small person). I believe there was a TV. Breakfast (included) was taken on the rooftop terrace. There was a front desk and I'm sure they would help you arrange stuff if you needed. Having visited the city before I knew where I wanted to go, but they did arrange a taxi to the ferry port for me. Nice furnishings in the common areas.

Shall we say I knew I was in Turkey, if that's your aim.

It was the Side Pension and it cost me $30 for a single room. Prices, of course, have gone up.

You may wish to check out:

http://www.sidehotel.com/english/rates.asp

They now seem to have apartments too.

Cheers.

Thank you so much these are the types of places that we are looking for. I greatly appreciate your help as usual!!!