suec1

OK, several years ago we spent 3 nights in Istanbul - in the "old part" of the city, very close to the big plaza by the Aya Sophis, entrance to the T. Palace. When we went out and about at night, my adult daughter was a bit uncomfortable - the first night the hotel offered to have someone walk us to the restaurant we were headed to several blocks away. I'm not sure if they thought we could not find it or if there were other concerns. On our way home, we had several invitations to come and smoke a hookah with a group of men. My daughter mentioned that she really did not see many other females out and about and after she said that, I had to agree. We did not really feel unsafe, more of a feeling of inappropriate or perceived as "available" .

So we are going again and deciding where to stay. The other part of the city does not at first appeal to me - the Taskim area. We are not shoppers or late night party girls and that is my impression of the "other side" of the Galata bridge. So any comments or hotel suggestions - I am thinking I might just look for a different hotel in the Sultanahmet area - that area has alot more charm to me but I am wondering if any other travelers might have had the same impression of that part of the city.

geetika

Hi suec1, DH & I were in Istanbul last month and stayed at the Uyan Hotel (uyanhotel.com) in Sultanahmet, very near the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya. We were going out till quite late at night and at no point did I feel "unsafe" in any way. The only invitations we got were from pushy salespeople, a minor irritant but nothing more. Am sure the others will chip in with their experiences, but IMO you needn't worry, we found the locals to be friendly and helpful.

Michael

We stayed here http://www.halihotel.com/en/index.php
It overlooks the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sofia area.

Grassshopper

I kind of agree with you about the discomfort that comes from aggressive vendors and staring men in the Sultanahmet area, particularly at night. I have stayed twice in the Ortokay area and really liked it. It's a taxi (or boat) ride to the main sites but it's very calm and peaceful and still feels like Istanbul. There is a street market in the nearby square and lots of restaurants and cafes. The Radisson Blu is my hotel of choice, right on the Bosphorus with wonderful views and a great bar and restaurant.

otherchelebi

It really depends on the time of the year.

In Winter Sultanahmet area can be miserable, empty and scary at night which arrives rather early.

Consider La Sagrada that Yestravel and GT stayed recently (trip report) at Osmanbey, or paying more, House Hotel at either Ortakoy as Grasshopper suggested or at Nisantasi.

More expensive choices would be Park Hyatt at Tesvikiye and Bebek Hotel on the Bosphorus.

suec1

Off topic BUT, otherchelebi - what life choice did you end up making? I missed the end of the thread - are you re-locating to Chicago?

otherchelebi

Hi Suec,

Currently at Iznik (Nicea) Eser will join this weekend.

No real choices yet,

Just procrastinating.

Thing is my daughter and SIl may actually relocate from Chicago next year.

tweeting political, literary, philosophical and cooking.

Putting together previous essays, poetry and stories together.

Grassshopper

otherchelebi, have you checked out the new Shangri-La? I usually love their properties and the location is beautiful.

otherchelebi

I ate at their Chinese restaurant and liked it very much. They have a young waiter who does an amazing trick serving tea.

The lobby is also nice, but did not see their rooms.

There is a problem with the location. It is across the street from the Prime Minister's Istanbul office and hence has too much security at times and the street in front is bereft of any real life. It is also an issue to drive or walk to it.

However, it is very close to the recently renovated Naval Museum, the Besiktas ferry landing and Besiktas shopping street with its typical local shops, bookstores, malls, small restaurants and busy happy life.

It is also very close to the "Sampiyon Kokorec" fast food place, which should not be missed on a cold day. Just do not ask what is Kokorec and enjoy the spicy hot concoction in freshly baked warm bread.

Pepper_von_snoot

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton and really liked it, especially the Russian millionaires at the swimming pool with high-priced hookers.

My mother kept asking, "How much do you think that one makes a night?"

We took taxis everywhere.

Say hi to Orhan Pamuk if you run into him.

Thin--who knows lots of young waiters who do tricks


Thin

yestravel

My main objection to the Sultanahmet quarter was how crowded it was. During the day it was impossible to walk on the tiny sidewalks. I did not feel uncomfortable at night, but I was with my husband. I can imagine it might be different with two women. As OC mentioned we stayed at Lasagrada at the end of our trip and I much preferred that area to the touristic area where we stayed at Dersaadent. The beginning of my TR has my impressions of the two hotels. full reviews are on TA.
Enjoy your trip.

kja

I stayed in Sultanahmet as a solo female traveler in June 2012 - absolutely no problems, night or day. I didn't stay in the most crowded section, although I did walk in that area late at night several times. But people have different levels of comfort. And while staying in Sultanahmet suited my needs well, not everyone prefers that part of town.

geetika

Agree with kja, Sultanahmet wasn't too crowded end Sept/early Oct, there will most certainly be quite a bit more tourists when we return next June, but we chose to stay there. And of course I was with my husband, maybe that makes a difference.

fsaitta

I suggest you log in to http://www.secretdealshotels.com and search for the Hotels in your preferred area. You will be able to see the map and the location of the different Hotels. You can make a booking from the same site and the prices are the best I could find.