Need Advice for Istanbul in April
 

We will be in Istanbul at the end of April 2008 for a total of 9 days. This is our first trip and I need some expert advice.

Hotels and Location?
We (my husband and I) will be traveling with our 17 year old daughter so we'd like a hotel suite with some privacy Re: Empress Zoe Suites - are the seperated rooms really seperated? Any other recommendations for hotels that are reasonably priced? We'd prefer a hotel rather than renting an apartment.

What would be a better neighborhood...Sulthanamet or Beyoglu? We like the Marais and Trastevere...would we prefer Beyoglu based on that?

Any hotel suggestions in Beyoglu that would meet our two room need specifications?

Trip Ideas?
With only 9 days in Istanbul would it make sense to do a two night trip to Cappodocia?

If not...what day trips would be good for us to do?

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Others may disagree, but since it's your first visit, I'd choose Sultanahmet. Many of the places that you'll want to visit are within walking distance of Empress Zoe: Topaki Palace, The Blue Mosque, The Grand Bazaar, and, although a bit of a hike, The Spice Bazaar.

We were worried about Sultanahmet being too touristy and overrun by carpet touts, but neither of these was a problem during our visit in July. In fact, we preferred this neighborhood to Beyoglu,( although we only spent a day there, so I'm sure we may have missed some of the more interesting neighborhoods) which seemed more Europeanized ( is that a word??)than Sultanahmet.

Another hotel in Sultanahmet to check out is SARI KONAK, although I don't know if they have suites.

Have a great time- we did!

We're going in May and looking at staying at the Fehmi Bey Hotel. It's in the Sulthanamet area - and has a website where you can pick out the exact room that you want - which I like. There were some suites, although we are looking at a corner room.

And we're planning to go to Cappadocia - have fallen in love with the pictures - what a breathtaking landscape.

By the way, I meant to tell you that yes, you should definitely plan on going to Cappadochia. I am sorry that we missed it on this trip. We were on our way to Greece, and it didn't quite fit in with our itinerary. I hear it's unforgettable, so next time, I hope!... And if you need help w/ planning, search for the posts written by [email protected], who is based there. Good luck!

Thingorjus HATES Sultanahmet; it is so touristy. The carpet dealers chase you don't the street when they spot your diamond Rolex. How dreadful!

I prefer Beyoglu or the Bosphorus area. They are real neighborhoods, with real Stambulis going about their business. Sultanahmet is full of French geezers looking for bargains.

Linda, Keith, Muffy, and I all stayed at the Ritz-Carlton when we were in Istanbul. We really enjoyed it, especially the high-priced hookers in string bikinis at the pool. (I am the cousin of the Mayflower Madam, so I am fascinated by the louche.)

The Empress Zoe is a rather pretty hotel up on a hill near the Four Seasons. You can easily walk to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palas.

Another nice hotel, with a beautiful garden with trickle fountain and fairy lights, is the Yesil Ev. It is also near the Four Seasons if you absolutely must stay in Sultanahmet.

I will defer to my friend, Weadles, for whom I have a high regard.

Thingorjus

I agree that Sultanahmet is probably the way to go so you're within walking distance of the basic tourist spots. I can't remember where we stayed, but it was nice, and that neighborhood pleasant.

Cappadocia is amazing, and I would highly recommend it. Two nights would be bare minimum, three would be better if you can swing it.

Ephesis isn't a daytrip, I don't believe, but it was fabulous if you can fit it in.

If I were the fabulous Thingorgus,(and I mean that sincerely!) I wouldn't stay in Sultanahmet, either. But since I have pedestrian tastes and a plastic watch, I liked it very much.

The only slightly negative but mostly funny interaction we had with a carpet dealer was when one ran out of his store to ask,"How many camels for your daughter?"

Hi Risab,
3 days Istanbul, 3 days Cappadocia, fly to Izmir directly from Kayseri and stay there 2 nights and fly to Istanbul for the last day & night before flying back home is a good and relaxed way of putting the plan right. Cutting a day in Cappadocia is possible but you might regret it later.

One warning to everyone travelling between 9-12 May in Istanbul, Formula 1 period might have difficulties to find a hotel with reasonable prices....

Thingorjus: you made me lough with the description of girls with bikini at the pool of Ritz :-)) Reminded me one Russion girl at Antalya with a bikini at the back written I am Rich with Swarowski peaces.....

Weadles ; thank you for the referral, I do my best to help and inform.... You are most welcome to Cappadocia next time and hope it will be soon!

Weather you have a swatch or Rolex the guys will try their chances but most impressive how they know model and year of make of a Rolex even from the distance :-))

Both Sultanahmet and Taxim offers good experiences, Sultanahmet is convenient to walk about to the sites and have a different flavor while Taxim offers and reflects the vibrant city and its oriental touches, good restaurants.... For those who can take it easy while visit sites and have the budget staying at Asian side definatelly have another charm.

Happy travelling,

Murat

I agree with Murat, you can definitely visit more than IST. As fascinating this city with lots to see and do, you have the time to get to Ephesus (via Izmir... about 1/hr south) and to the Cappadoccia area. All three locations will provide you with a great experience.

I am appreciating everyone's input and we'll develop our trip plans utilizing this information.

A few more questions...
My husband is a musician - plays clarinet - and he loves Turkish clarinet music, particularly belly dancing music. We would love to be able to go to live music venues to hear local musicians.

We are also Jewish and would love to visit some of the Jewish history sites in Istanbul and maybe other areas so we'd appreciate information on that.

THanks for all your help.

Jewish heritage sites are plenty in Istanbul and also in Izmir and close by. I would suggest you to have an experienced guide to take you to the places of interest in that nature.

Kumkapi area where fish restaurants are plenty will have street musicians with clarinet to start with and there are plenty of other places where live performances with clarinet. I will try to find out more information for you at later stage.

Happy travelling,
Murat

I have stayed in both Sulthanamet in one of the small hotels (Historica) down from the carpet market as well as in a nice business hotel in Beyoglu. The Historica was very affordable but neither hotel offered the kind of privacy you are talking about, but with the Historica two rooms would be a possibility.

Sulthanamet is near the historic sites and was my favorite, but Beyoglu is a more exciting hoping night life kind of area that your daughter might enjoy, so it depends what you are looking for.

I would either do two nights in Capadocia or go down to Ephesus. Either would be a great addition.

I loved Istanbul so I think you will have a wonderful tme!

---

Chris Christensen
Amateur Traveler podcast
http://AmateurTraveler.com

Lots of great suggestions...while we'd love to do the Cappodocia or Ephesus trips we're not sure our budget will allow at this time...and also because our life is so fast track everyday we're thinking of doing the "slow travel" mode and just parking ourselves in Istanbul for vacation - with day trips.

Good news was that I was able to get a FFlyer ticket for one of our flights. We had to extend a few days past my daughter's school vacation but "she didn't mind." While Empress Zoe was our dream choice we were shocked that everything was quoted in Euros at hotels and for 9-nights the rates were very high (I guess I did not do my homework as good as I thought). So, we opted to reserve a two-bedroom apartment at the Galata Residence. The location was also a draw for us since it is near to the old city and Beyoglu and near to the street that has a lot of music stores to keep my husband very happy. In the end I think that this will be the best because traveling with a teenager requires private rooms. We've done apartments before in Italy and Israel and we like being able to come back after touring and having space to lounge around in. And I love to cook and shop in markets so I will have fun shopping for food.

So, any insights into the Galata area would be appreciated..

Food question...we are vegetarian but we eat a very middle eastern and mediterranean diet ...we'd appreciate the some restaurant recommendations where we could get some great meze's, vegetable dishes without meat, pastas, salads?

Water question...I have read to that we should only drink bottled water. Does that mean that we should also avoid fresh salads?

Weatheer question...what is the weather generally like at the end of April? I heard there might be some rain but I wondered what the daytime temperatures would be like.

Language question...how much Turkish do I need to know besides tourist words and cordial greetings?
I have read that many people speak English?

Money question...do I use Turkish Lira at stores and market stalls? What's with all this Euro when that is not even their national currency?

Lot's of questions...

Take a short ride at Tunnel with the cable car, first ever metro built and yet shortest in the world !
Flower bazaar and behind fishmarket area has a lot of restaurants and they offer plenty of different mezes. Hacýabdullah and Hacibaba are good options for vegeterian and meze dishes.

You can eat slads as much as you wish. Drinking bottled water is just for the ones not used to the bacteries we are used to. You cab brush teeth etc. from the tab no problem.

You can perfectly manage with English and to try using some Turkish words will create sympathy

Weather stats can be viewed from :
http://www.meteor.gov.tr/2006/englis...spx?secimNo=40

Generally speaking daytime tempretures are mild.

Euro or USD quotation: It is a habit we have since years as a result of high inflation rate and daily changing exchange rates. A way of protecting yourself from exchange flactuations and gain money by investing on foreign currancy. Also when we had 6 more zeros on Turkish Lira quoting rates in Dollar or Euro was easier to understand. Travel industry still keeps this habit altough our currency is Turkish Lira now called New Turkish Lira.

Happy Travelling,
Murat

Murat,
Thanks for responding.
Where are the restaurants that you mentioned located?
We'll definitely learn appropriate Turkish words...I am looking forward to expanding my world vocabulary.

Hi Risab,
Those restaurants are at the beginning of the Istiklal Street from the Taksim side. Haci Baba within first 100 meters on left, Haci Abdullah 200 meters on right inside the side street on left after the mosque.


Let me give you a bit of motivation on your Turkish :-)
Good evening:Iyi aksamlar (Ee-y-Ak-sham-lar)
Please:Lutfen (loot-fan)
Where?:Nerede?(Nehre-deh?)
Bon apetit:Afiyet olsun (af-e-yet all-soon)
Simple phonetic rules:
c has a j sound as in jungle
ç has a sound ch as in chalk
g pronounced as in gift
j is a soft sound as in leisure
s is always used as double s like miss
º has a sound as in ship

Happy travelling,

Murat

Murat,
Thanks again for all the great tips - and we will definitely learn some of the words (and hopefully more)that you suggested.

Thanks

If your husband likes Turkish clarinet then I would recommend that you look at these artists

Trakya All Stars... or for Clarinet, Hüsnü Senlendirici...you can find out some info about some of these artists at this link..

http://www.doublemoon.com.tr/English/Default.aspx

Also here is some great advise as well...while visiting in April be sure to check out the Tulip Festival in Emirgan which is held in April-May in Istanbul.

Emirgan is famous for its seaside cafes and the large city park on the slopes behind it. The Verifier Yahsi (seaside mansion) on the shore and the pavilions inside the park that serve as cafes are examples of Ottoman architecture from different ages.

The annual Tulip Festival is held in the park, which contains pools, groves and lanes suitable for hiking and jogging.

please check www.sultanahmetsuites.com
I can say the best value and the best turkish hospitality

gelincik,

You are the owners of Sultanahmet Suites.

Stop this now. I don't think you've done yourself or your ApartHotel any favours at all.

Also, stop asking your former guests to write rave reviews on tripadvisor. It is extremely unethical.

You threatened your former guest who posted a critical review on tripadvisor. Then you discussed private lives of that guest on a public forum.

NO HOTEL MANAGER should ever call a former guest in her home country and threaten her. NO HOTEL MANAGER should expose customers’ privacy on the internet. This is a true misconduct and is totally against all ethics of hotel management.

Here is what people say about Sultanahmetsuites.

"(The Sultanahmetsuites owners) talked about the private lives (of guests) in a strangely defamatory manner (in a public forum). This is a very serious invasion of privacy by a Hotel Manager into the private lives of hotel's guests. Ladies and Gentlemen, It seems that if you want your private lives be exposed in public forums, you should stay at Sultanahmet Suites a couple of days. This is a very sad affair. "

"To violate the privacy of guests is the last straw for any hotel managers, and I certainly will not mention this property to prospective visitors nor will I speak positively of it in the future."

"The owners of Sultanahmet Suites do not have the capacity, skills, training, and especially goodwill to run an establishment be it in Sultanahmet or anywhere else.”

For details of the threats and other unethical misconducts committed by the owners, please read tripadvisor Istanbul forum, "Don't stay at Sultanahmet Suites" and "Busy-Retired - Sultanahment Suites".

Everyone, please avoid this dreadful place.

ttt

I stayed at Sultanahmetsuites for 5 days and I had a very positive experience
Service was warm, welcoming, professional, the location is very good
Enjoyed my stay here very much. The hotel had a friendly family atmosphere and the manager, Mr joy, was a gentleman.

We would certainly stay again.
Also other guest reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...-Istanbul.html

What is funny about these TA reviews is that there are 2 reviews of this property, written on 18 November, by two "different" "guests".

And BOTH reviews are identical to the last letter!

Hey ekscrunchy, good job!

The OWNERS of Sultanahmet Suites, a.k.a. "gelincik", do this all the time. The husband and wife solicit rave reviews from their former guests via e-mail, then copy and paste those reviews on TA. It is funny that, on Nov. 18, they somehow decided to create 2 pseudo names and put the same review twice!

On other travel sites, like here on Fodor’s, they disguise themselves as guests and self-praise their own hotel. It is pathetic and shameful.

Everyone, avoid Sultanahmet Suites when you are in Istanbul. It’s very far away from Sultanahmet, anyway, in an abyss down a steep hill. You don’t have to get into trouble and destroy your pleasant holiday at this place.

Enjoy!

To know more about unethical misconducts and threats committed by Sultanahmet Suites owners, go to:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...-Istanbul.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...-Istanbul.html

Click on the Sultanahmet Suites reviewers'names. First time posters on TripAdvisor. Interesting. ekscrunchy wins the Charlie Chan award!

Weekender, your analysis is excellent.

This hotel has ONLY 4 ROOMS, but 11 reviews (all of them raving!) appeared on TA in 2 months from October to November 2007. Other hotels with 30-40 rooms in Sultanahmet have just a few reviews, both positive and negative ones, spread over many years. The reason is obvious. The owner and his wife of Sultanahmet Suites solicit reviews from former guests.

The wife, or "josephine009" on TA, touts her hotel on the site. She initially denied her true identity and claimed she was a friend of the owners. But after being pressed hard by TA's Istanbul forum participants, she finally came out and admitted, "I am A owner. My guest are writing to my personel e-mail they say thank you and last two mounths I wanted from them if they writes to TA it will be helpfull and they did".

She is repeating the same thing here on Fodor's with a different name "gelincik" on another thread, "Istanbul hotel alternatives? Any good B&B's?". She wrote, "I am not A owner or Staf of Sultanahmetsuites you can not blame people like that I dont want to any discuss with you I just wanted to send my travel experience
and I recommend Sultanahmetsuites all travellers".

By the way, TA has never deleted coerced reviews she keeps posting. Is this usual? Or could this be intentional to show a great collection of fake and coerced reviews gathered by a hotelier?

If you go to "Istanbul hotel alternatives? Any good B&B's?", you can see touting of gelincik and her c*azy rambling (as usual). :)

Wow...thank for all of the great music, food and trip advice but I certainly got hijacked and had more information than I ever wanted about the Sultanehmetsuites...any publicity is good pubicity as they say...

So, any more advice for me on my upcoming Istanbul trip. I am staying at the Galata Residence...so, tell me about interesting stores, markets or restaurants in that area.

I also have my 17 year old daughter who loves to shop but loves interesting boutiques- things that are different from the regular stores we'd find in NYC where we live.

Please keep the suggestions coming but the rants post on someone's space.

I am sorry risab,

I will open a new independent thread about Sultanahmet Suites.

As for Empress Zoe, I suggest that you read how Empress Zoe has responded to reviews on TA. For me, their management responses more than tell us the personality of the managers there.

Enjoy your trip to Istanbul!

Denizlove

now it Sounds like I am now being hijacked with reviews for Empress Zoe...

Please note most recent response says that I am staying at Galata Residence not Empress Zoe...