Hotel Amira was the second hotel that I stayed in to get a different point of view. It is located…read moreon Sultanahmet's side which is within walking distance of Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. All of these sites are quite famous and usually take a long time to get in. But during November it is their low season so it was less busy than I have seen it before. Hotel Amira was also my first time staying at this boutique hotel which cost was quite reasonable. The only negative thing is maybe the stairs if you have heavy luggage you will need some assistance depending on which floor you get. We got the 7th room number which doesn't have an elevator to connect to that level. But besides that it was fine. The staff here is quite friendly and nice. If you have any questions just ask them and they will be able to help you out. The rooftop is closed though since it is cold but you can still go on top of it and take some photos of the view. It is fantastic to see the ocean on one side and also the mosque on the other. For a boutique hotel, the location, area, and being able to walk around at all the most famous places in Istanbul is quite nice!

My husband and I and friends stayed at Hotel Amira for three nights in May, 2026. We had the most…read morewonderful time and many thanks to all staff at Hotel Amira. They assisted us in reservations with a guide, Bosphorus Strait tour and Turkish Bath. Our guide, Josh was the best. He made our day together seeing the Old Town sights perfect. Hotel Amira is a perfect location. Their breakfast was excellent. I would stay there anytime!!

From the moment we arrived at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski, we knew we were about to experience…read moresomething truly extraordinary--but nothing could have prepared us for the sheer magic that unfolded. This wasn't just a hotel stay. It was a journey into a fairytale, meticulously crafted by history, luxury, and most importantly, people who live to deliver excellence. The location is unparalleled--nestled on the Bosphorus with panoramic views that defy description. The fusion of Ottoman grandeur and modern-day elegance takes your breath away at every turn. Waking up in a palace where sultans once lived, and watching the sun rise over the shimmering water, is a feeling I will carry with me for life. But what truly sets this experience apart--what elevates it to world-class excellence--is the leadership and hospitality of Manager Mesut Erbaş. Mesut Erbaş is the soul of Çırağan Palace. His presence radiates warmth, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to guest happiness that is rare even in the finest hotels across the globe. He doesn't just manage a hotel--he orchestrates an experience, where every guest feels like royalty. From the smallest gestures to the most elaborate arrangements, Mesut ensures that no detail is overlooked. He remembers your name, anticipates your needs before you even voice them, and creates an atmosphere of care that makes you feel completely at home--within a literal palace. Under his direction, the staff is flawless--kind, impeccably trained, and sincerely welcoming. Every team member reflects the same values: excellence, elegance, and a deep respect for their guests. The culinary experience? Sublime. Breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, world-class dining in opulent surroundings, and a level of service that reminds you what five stars should truly mean. The grounds? Impeccable. The infinity pool overlooking the water, the spa that revives both body and soul, and the lush gardens that seem to whisper stories of the palace's majestic past--all meticulously maintained and endlessly enchanting. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning as a loyal guest, Çırağan Palace Kempinski is more than a destination--it's a sanctuary of beauty, peace, and absolute refinement. Thank you, Mesut Erbaş, for making our stay the most memorable experience we've ever had. You are the heart of this palace, and your leadership is what turns excellence into something legendary. We will return, again and again--not just for the palace, but for the people who make it come alive. If you're considering staying here--don't hesitate. You're not booking a room. You're claiming a piece of timeless paradise.

We came here after a river cruse to visit Turkey . Just here a few nights . We had dinner at the…read morehotel Bellini . Well the evening went well. We complemented the beauty and had a very good meal. However, as we ordered our meal. We ask the waiter to refer us to some good wine . I looked at the menu and made a unforitnate mistake by over enjoying myself and taking his recommendation without any consideration of the cost of the wine we were about to enjoy. The waiter knowing we were not from his country and the menu pricing in erous I never considered what the price was and neither did the waiter at anytime mention that this bottle of wine is $800.00 plus dollars. We had a simple pasta plate . I feel the waiter should have told us the cost of the wine since the pricing was not on the menu

This is my second time staying here and I can't rave enough about their outstanding service. The…read moreroom is immaculate and the location is 10/10. Literally minutes walk from Haifa Sophia, Blue mosque and surrounding by cafes and restaurants so so vibrant. The rooms are luxurious and every staff member is so attentive and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's breakfast. I highly recommend this for its fab location and maintaining their standard. It's not a super huge property seems more like a boutique hotel. Overall super comfortable stay so far. I do plan on coming back again.

Service and food are highly importantant to me. If the service wasn't so impeccable, I would have…read morerated two-stars. However, at this Four Seasons location the Manager: Muhammed, Server: Melike and Bartender: Onur went out of there way to make sure we had a great dining experience--even though the first Mushroom Risotto that I had added Short rib had no mushrooms, basil and was WAY too salty, the manager Muhammed insisted on having the chef redo this dish, once it was redone, very delicious, unfortunately, I was a little turned off from the first version so I only had a bite however, if this redo was what should have been made--I would've eaten the whole thing. My partner had From the Wood Oven: PULLED SHORT RIB--Smoked Beef Short Rib, Potato, Sour Cream, Chestnut Mushroom, Aged "Kars" Gruyere--which he thought was just ok. The holiday dessert was AMAZING!!! Best part of our lunch!

It's an historic relic of a time when Turkiye thought Europe was the ideal, before Ataturk. A must…read morevisit for Agatha Christie fans, this is where she wrote the Orient Express. Without a lottery jackpot, I couldn't afford a room for a night, but high tea is a fair price for the time travel opportunity. 3 to 6, unlimited tea and tea food, with a little imagination I was able to become an Agatha Christie character. There are signs posted warning against phone or camera use but our waiter took a PIC of us. Just ve subtle. To get here from the tram is a steep uphill walk. Nice view from the deck outside of the tea room which is directly back from the lobby door. Check out the vintage elevator. Very close to the Pera Museum. Lots of interesting shopping on the walk down to the Galata Tower which is often not open. Lots of cats to make friends with on the way too.

If reincarnation is real, I must've been a 1920s socialite, because every time I walk into the Pera…read morePalace I feel like I'm home. My husband discovered their afternoon tea back in 2022, and we loved it so much that we went twice in the same week. No shame. When a place is good, you go back for seconds--and apparently, thirds. Fast-forward to our 2025 trip: we marched right back into the Tea Lounge like we owned the place (we absolutely do not). The pastries were freshly made, the sandwiches were perfect, and the desserts were so good that I briefly considered proposing to the pastry chef. Everything tasted like it had just come out of a magical Victorian oven. The hotel itself is a whole experience. It's old in the best possible way--historic, elegant, and full of "I wonder what has happened in this hallway" vibes. I kept staring at the ceilings, the carpets, the little details... basically everything. My husband had to remind me not to wander off and move in. One day I fully intend to stay here as an actual hotel guest instead of the enthusiastic tea-time groupie I currently am. But until then, I will happily keep showing up for that afternoon tea like it's a limited-time Broadway show. If you're in Istanbul, go. Treat yourself. Become a Pera Palace tea person. It's a lifestyle I highly recommend.

sites and many shops, restaurants, and a tram stop out front…read more Our room was small, but came with a terrace a couch that turned into a bed. It was perfect for my wife, five-year-old and I. Breakfast was plentiful and the cookie at check in was great. Staff were attentive and kind!

We stayed at the hotel four nights. Easy access to the train. In the middle of a very lively area…read more As a diamond member, Complimentary breakfast was nice to have. Service and staff were friendly and accommodating. Shout out to Gonca for checking on us during our breakfasts. Only downsides are that the hotel does not offer wash cloths so we had to buy bathing sponges from a pharmacy. Also, at night, it was very noisy until about 10p. Lots of banging doors and banging sounds. We were perhaps very near a service room or something like that. Just to note, the hotel is located in a great location in Old Town. Good for sight seeing and transportation. However, there are some panhandlers nearby and sellers. The street is bustling with people. Good news is, the hotel's personnel take's guest security seriously.

Very nice hotel in a good location. It's a short walk to the T1 tram that gets you to the old town…read moreor other places. The building is an industrial style and decor. They have a coffee shop in the lobby and a restaurant in another building nearby that is the second part of the hotel. I stayed here using my rewards. As a platinum member you can get free breakfast at the Moise restaurant. I really enjoyed that they give a traditional breakfast with many different items. If it's not included in your stay I recommend trying that once. I stay at a lot of Marriott hotels and this one is good. The staff are very helpful and accommodating. This neighborhood near the galata tower on a hill that's quite steep so be prepared for that.

I had a fabulous time staying at this hotel during my Istanbul trip. As soon as I arrived the front…read moredesk gentlemen greeted me and got me everything I needed. The room was perfect, with a huge walk in shower, and a closet big enough to store my belongings. The bed was extremely comfy and it was just such a great cozy room. It is walking distance from a lot of local attractions and nearby resturants. One night, I asked the front desk for recommendations on a restaurant, and I was so happy by his suggestion. Check out was also a breeze and the doorman helped me load by bags into my Uber!

This is a layover hotel that became quite expensive due to geopolitics (Turkey is the last major…read morecountry in the neighborhood that stays out of the fights) but still should be a default option if you have a layover at the Istanbul airport. First, the pricing: there are essentially three hotels in one under the same name and same reservation system: "landside" - outside the security perimeter, never tried and is not reviewed here, "airside" - past security on the first floor of the terminal, and "cabins" - upstairs. As of 2026, airside will cost you about $500 per night, and cabin about $250 (hourly options are available, but few hour are easier and cheaper spent in the lounge anyhow). Judged here as a behind-security airport hotel and is not perfect - but very good. The "airside" entrance is located in the shopping area close to the center of the terminal (past the security or "transfer" gates). The rooms have "futuristic" and very utilitarian décor, the color lighting is amusing. Pros: a near-isolation from sound and light is possible, the mattress is of good quality - both provide for very good rest. Location is as good as it gets, check-in and check-out process is efficient, room has a large size, shower and toilet are separated, very usable desk allows for some work done. Entrance is controlled by the key-card to be used in elevator. The "cabins" are up an elevator and to the left of the airside Yotel (if you are facing the lounge, turn around). These are small single occupant rooms (not pods, think a typical Japanese hotel) with communal restroom arrangements. In the men's room, there are two toilets (one for squatting), two urinals, two showers - all in quite decent condition, you will need your key card to use the shower. The single-size bed is OK with barebones arrangements (single pillow, single comforter). There is a small table OK for light work and a small bench that accommodates two carryons on top for opening. The isolation from the hallway is quite weak, but this is an altogether quiet place at the terminal. Entrance to the hallways is controlled with the key cards, with the turnstyles located next to the reception. Cons: the amenities are barebone - don't expect robes, bring your own slippers, nondescript shampoo and soap are in large dispensers attached to the walls. The light switches are very confusing; groping for them in the complete darkness is not amusing (even worse in cabins, see my pro tips below). Cabin lighting tips (READ THIS CAREFULLY if you plan to stay in a cabin and spread the knowldge): the setup is truly incredible: you have to insert your card into a receptacle by the door for the lights to work. If you do not do it immediately upon entering the cabin, the lights, initially on, will go out in few seconds, and you will have to insert card in the dark, so do it as quickly as possible. If you are late, watch for a blinking white light next to the door, and insert the card there. Now, there is no conventional switch, so when you need to sleep, touch the black UNMARKED rectangle above the pillow, it will light up as a touchscreen switch. If the power socket goes off, dont despair: the thicknes of the key card is not enough, so the system might have thought that the card is now removed, and switched the power off. To add to the confusion, the lights can be still controlled by rectangle, but the socket stays off (yes, there is just one socket in the room, European plug only, plus 3 USBs, so an adapter and a power bar come handy). The fix for the socket is simple: use your hand to push onto OUTSIDE of the plastic housing with the card already inserted - it will fix the problem! You can also request a cabin change, naturally. Overall: will definitely use again if need few hours of sleep at the gorgeous Istanbul airport. If you are not planning a shower, go for cabins. One star subtracted for high price and insane lighting arrangements.

This is a mixed bag for me. I had to stay overnight in Istanbul because of an early morning flight…read moreand limited connection options, so I pre-booked a room landside so I could access my suitcase. It was very very expensive for what it was. I had booked a queen room, which was a tiny pod of a room that felt like something from a space movie that didn't even have a window, just a glowing panel that was supposed to feel window-like. The real problem for me was that the room I was assigned had bed bugs. I always carefully check my hotel room when I first arrive, and I am glad that I did this because there were blood stains all over the bedding under the sheets, and there was even a squashed bug under the mattress. I immediately took photos and left. While this would be typically a 1-star experience, the men at the front desk salvaged things. They were so alarmed by my story and the photos that they immediately upgraded me to a larger room (which checked out to be clean, but I still kept my stuff packed and away from all soft surfaces just out of an abundance of caution), and they tried to offer late checkout or breakfast, neither of which I could do. I appreciated how seriously they took my complaints, but I definitely think this is a place you should approach with reasonable caution. Also, the hotel restaurant is astronomically priced. I had a plate of pasta, a bottle of water, and 2 glasses of wine, and the total was $87 USD.

I don't even know where to begin. Ritz-Carlton Istanbul completely destroyed our vacation, and…read moreendangered my wife's health. This hotel was a nightmare from start to finish, and I honestly cannot believe it's allowed to operate under the Ritz-Carlton name. My wife got food poisoning after eating at one of their restaurants, and we are certain it was from the hotel's food. She became extremely sick--violently ill, and we were left to deal with everything on our own. We informed the staff and management right away, expecting immediate help or at least concern. But what we got was total silence. No help, no refund, no support--nothing. They acted like it wasn't their problem. They showed zero care for my wife's suffering. This wasn't just bad service--it was inhumane. If that wasn't enough, the hotel was blasting loud music for two night. Four nights of torture. We couldn't sleep, and we complained again and again to different managers. And just like with everything else, they did absolutely nothing. They gave empty promises, fake apologies, and then disappeared. No solutions. No respect. No decency. The management is a disgrace--unprofessional, disconnected, and clearly not trained to handle basic guest needs, let alone a serious health emergency. We felt completely abandoned. This place is not safe. They are charging premium prices while offering some of the worst hospitality I've ever seen. This hotel should not just be avoided--it should be reported to the city of Istanbul and health authorities. They are putting people's health at risk. Their food made my wife sick, their environment made our stay unbearable, and their complete lack of accountability made everything worse. We will be contacting Ritz-Carlton corporate and local safety regulators in Istanbul. This is not just about a bad stay--this is about guest safety, human decency, and basic responsibility. Shame on Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. You stole our time, our money, and my wife's health. You ruined what was supposed to be a special vacation and turned it into a painful memory we'll never forget. Avoid this hotel at all costs.

Had a good time in this Rita Carlton. The location was close to all the major transportation and my…read moreroom had a great view outside. The security check at the entrance was a bit scary at first. The gym was great. It has all the equipment I need for a full body workout, and the in door swimming pool was awesome. The hotel has several restaurants and cafes including nobu and the quality did not disappoint. I would love to stay here again next time I'm in Istanbul.

We stayed at the Double Tree for four nights before our departure for a cruise. The hotel is very…read moreconveniently located in Sultanahmet and close to numerous places of interest in the Old Town making it extremely walkable. It is also close to ferry lines and tram lines in case you don't wish to walk as much. The rooms are quite comfortable and there is an ample breakfast buffet that is about $30 USD per person (unless you have a rate that includes it). The breakfast choices were extensive. Staff if very professional and friendly. The only thing that I would have like to have seen different was the way people are informed of the charge for breakfast. Perhaps people have walked out without paying or later acted as if they didn't know, but twice we had staff hovering over us with the bill appearing like they worried we were going to not sign the check. If that was the issue, it could be remedied by having the paying guests sign before sitting down.

We stayed here for 3 nights this week during our stay in Istanbul and it was a great choice in…read moreterms of location! We walked everywhere from the hotel and everything is within 15 minutes. Had a double bed room and it was perfect for our family. Enjoyed their breakfast in the morning due to my Hilton Honors status so it was complimentary. It was surprisingly good because we had eggs every morning with milk and hummus and lots of bread options. Lots of cheese and deli meats and fruits. You can even order your own omelette! Staff are friendly. They even brought us complimentary cake for the birthdays we were celebrating. 75 euro for private airport transfer which is what we did for both trips from and to the IST airport. You can book through the concierge. Concierge also helped us book a Bosphorus Cruise for sunset and only costs 19 euro per person. Fun 3 hours in the evening!