We have reservations at the Four Seasons in Istanbul, but we concerned when we recently read in Frommers that the noise from the Blue Mosque's morning call to prayer may be a problem. Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of this?

I will be staying there also this summer and have based my stay on the recommendation of one very savvy traveler who makes first class trips all over the world several times a year. <BR>She absolutely loved the hotel and its proximity to the local sites. She never mentioned any negatives and she's the kind that would. She also stayed at the Cirgan Palace, but said Four Seasons better location for sightseeing, although the Palace was good if you just want to relax and read a book by the pool. Otherwise, to get to old city it's 25 min. in traffic. You could request a room facing the inner courtyard; the view might not be as nice but it would be quieter. Email the concierge and ask him; I have already asked questions about tours and transfers and the reply is quick and helpful. Go the the fourseasons.com website and do it from there.

Judy <BR>Believe me you will not find it a problem. The location of the 4 seasons more than makes up for any noise "problem" <BR>The call to prayer from the mosques all over Istanbul is all part of the atmosphere of the most amazing city. <BR>The experiences of old tradition and modern life co-existing is one of the appeals of this wonderful country. <BR>No I am not Turkish but I have fallen in love with the country )

Thanks for your comments. I feel a little better, I think. I've visited a few Muslim countries in the last couple yeas and I understand that the call to prayer is part of the culture and atmosphere and all, but I'd rather keep morning sounds to a minimum. If Nancy's friend didn't complain about the noise level at the Four Seasons, however, I'll assume it's dealable. The person who wrote the Frommer's review for Four Seasons seemed to have a bias against the hotel anyway.

We stayed last year at a small hotel behind the Four Seasons and did hear the call to prayers starting early in the morning. The Four Seasons has done such a beautiful job of renovating the old prison that I am sure they have glass in the windows to dull the noise. The brunch on Sunday is outstanding and very reasonable compared to other cities in the world. You will also love the location, great for walking everywhere with the tram not far away.

We spent nearly a month in Turkey and other than Cappodocia and the resort near Antalya, I don't think we were ever more than a block or two from morning prayers, usually over a loudspeaker and sometimes actually vibrating the pictures on the walls. It is part of the "character" of the city. Certainly can't be any bigger concern at the Four Seasons than anywhere else in Istanbul.

Hi We were in Istanbul last fall, the morning call can be heard over the old quarter. It is part of the reality of being in a foreign country. You get used to it. Just as an aside across from the 4 seasons is a very good restaurant. I can't recall the name but we ate there twice. The food was very good and reasonable. They evn make pizza. Just a word of warning DON'T drink tap beer, get it bottled. My wife had draft twice and got sick both times. <BR>enjoy Istanbul <BR>alan

We stayed at the Four Seasons last winter. It was not a problem at all. AT ALL. It was also the best hotel we ever stayed in in our lives. Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Judy! I just came back from Istanbul at the beginning of their Sacrifice Holiday - what an experience. Somehow I just can't get used to the killing of cows and sheep in the middle of a major city. Anyhow I stayed down the street from your hotel and believe it or not you do get use to the prayers and it is indeed a great location. The other writer was right about the small cafe across the street. You can sit outside and have a great glass of Turkish wine or beer at a little bistro table and watch the passers - by. The Four Seasons has a beautiful lounge and service is superb. By the way I drank the Turkish draught beer and thought it was very good. I guess it depends upon your tolerence levels. Have a great time and beware of carpet salesmen.

I really enjoyed reading the Istanbul postings. We were there a few years ago and loved it. But after a noisy day, we opted to spend a few minutes in a cab for a hotel outside of the historical center. The 4 seasons sounds perfect. <BR>I'm sure you have plenty of advice, but I'd like to add be sure and check musuems hours. We had to plan our days by which sites were open on which days.

Was in Istanbul in January..actually can not wait to get back. Stayed at the Ciragan Palace which arguably is very ta-ta..du-du....and enjoyed it very much...Stopped by the Four Seasons for a drink and was impressed by the location in terms of being in walking distance to all of the sites....and also by the quaintness of it..almost not your normal Four Seasons kinda place.....but at the same time your Four Seasons kinda place..Whether you should stay at the Four Seasons or the Ciragan Palace..you will not be disappointed

Hi Judy. <BR>The location of Four Seasons is favorable in respect to diminishing the "noise". It's in a slope down-hill, with several blocks between the hotel and the Blue Mosque. Therefore I think the hotel will be "shielded". <BR>We lived at Yesil Ev close by Four Seasons, but we had straight sight to the mosque. The calls were of cause hearable, but not directly disturbing. Quite interesting, and with great variations in both songs and duration. <BR>Bjorn, Oslo

I'd agree with Bjorn - I had an inside courtyard room at the Four Seasons. You can hear the morning prayer call, but it's not loud and is part of what got me into the local atmosphere. It's a very calming, relaxing hotel. I loved the fact the health club was in the old prison's torture chamber! There is also an amazing collection of the prison locks above the bar in the lounge, and two parakeets will greet you (caged, of course, but cheerfully chattering) at breakfast & tea time just outside of the restaurant. If that would bother you, have breakfast in your room. One of my favorite hotel experiences worldwide and I just loved Istanbul. The Cirgan Palace is also lovely, but as others have said, a very different experience. I liked the peaceful atmosphere of the Four Seasons better than the opulence of the Cirgan Palace. Either way, you'll experience the best Istanbul has to offer. Enjoy!

Dear Judy, <BR> <BR>This comes from a professional, a CDS (Certified Destination Specialist) and CEP (Certified Event Planner) and a Turk and very very much in love with Istanbul. The 4 Seasons is a very good hotel. The service is good, the rooms are large and very tastefully done, the restaurant is as best as a hotel restaurant can ever get. BUT the building is an intravert building since it was a penitentiary facility. So after a day's walking in & out of mosques, museums, spice market, grand bazaar, carpet shops - even if you try to avoid them - underground cisterns I would want to come to my hotel take a nice hot shower, put on a bath robe, pour myself a nice drink and sit at the balcony or in front of the large windows and SOAK in the glorious sunset of Istanbul with the windows on the Asian side ablaze with the last rays of the sun. AT THE 4 SEASONS you get NOTHING, I mean NOTHING of this. The only thing you get is a look into the courtyard which is not big and if you are not paying top dollars for it your eye level view from your window might be at the same level as the feet of some of the other guests. It is all a matter of your taste. I as a professional I will sell the 4 Seasons and make money of it, but if you were my guest, I would make sure that you stayed somewhere else even if you had to take a cab for a short while. BY THE WAY THE CALL TO PRAYER SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM! Hope I have been of help. <BR>Enjoy ISTANBUL and let me know if you ever need assistance! Mehmet Dervis