I need to book a hotel in Istanbul

sloan



Joined: 24/02/2009
Posts: 808

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 15:20

I am going to Istanbul for a few days in December and have not been for 38 years. I need to book a hotel in the next couple of days as I do not have a printer yet in Cyprus. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably priced, central hotel? Thanks for any help.



Sheila

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 15:48

Have you read the chris and garry web site for October they used this hotel http://www.stonehotel.net/

Looks very nice

tony

sloan



Joined: 24/02/2009
Posts: 808

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:04

It looks lovely, and very reasonably priced in December. Thanks.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:13

sloan - Mikelapta visited Istanbul a few times over the summer. I feel sure he will be able to give you some pointers (as/when he sees your message).



Have a good time.



J

scotsguy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:14

Hi try



http://www.booking.com



have used them worldwide, very easy to use, no payment taken until you check it at the home and you can cancel without charge up to 24 hrs prior to arrival



you don't need to print anything off, just write down the reference number



hope this helps

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:21

Don't forget to take your thermal underwear!!!! It is really cold there compared to cyprus in December.



I went 2 years ago to a concert a friend was giving and I couldn't believe how cold it was and this was on the 14th December, the first shop I found was M&S for thermal vests!

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:38

hi sloan

depending on where you want to stay, if you are going to do the tourist bit i wud prob say the best place to stay is in taksim there are many hotels in and around this area but can be quite expensive, ive stayed in a lovely hotel just off taksim square right near the shopping arcade its called triada residence, now if u prefer to stay around sultan ahmet region then i wud suggest a hotel called faros which again is very reasonable for the quality u will get prices are affordable and is located right close to sum of the tourist places

and like a few have suggested i wud wrap up well can be quite chilly especially at nite

hope this helps

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 16:58

As Jeannie says stayed a few times and met Sandie in Istanbul during the past year.2 recommendations....if you are staying Sultanamet area,ideal for Blue Mosque,St.Sophia,Grand Bazaar,Topkapi Palace,etc.try the Blue House,Mevi Ev.Pay cash another 10%discount.If with a partner ask for a French bed

About 30tl taxi fare.

If Taxim district,and better if arriving Sabiha Gokcen,try Larespark.Fast bus from airport every flight,10tl cost.

Stops near Taxim square,and about 200m walk.Ask directions,no need for taxi.

Nice tram trip along main shopping street,Metro across the Bosporus.

Any other info,please ask.

We hope to be there ourselves.

Mike and Sandra

sloan



Joined: 24/02/2009
Posts: 808

Message Posted:
22/10/2009 17:25

Thanks very much for all your help. Will have a quick google at all suggestions. I did realise how cold it would be as when we landed there in February it was snowing. We have touched down there many times in the last 6 years, but not had time to break the journey as I was tied to school holidays. Spending a few days there was a priority for when I retired. We will spend more time there when the weather is better, but are just breaking the journey back in December with three days.

DONTY


Joined: 07/06/2007
Posts: 534

Message Posted:
23/10/2009 02:47

Central Palace hotel, Taksim gets my vote.



Ottoman themed with great decor, large beds, posh bathrooms with multihead shower cubicle with jacuzzi bath and friendly staff. One of my guests thought the breakfast under par but was fine for me.



http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293974-d304834-Reviews-The_Central_Palace_Hotel-Istanbul.html



http://www.thecentralpalace.com/

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
23/10/2009 09:02

Ankara Travel in Girne do really good wkend deals to Istanbul with flights & hotels & are al English speaking friendly staff (opposite Dome Hotel), we are going to book the Blue House/Mavi Ev for a wkend break in Istanbul too http://www.bluehouse.com.tr thanks for the tip about the French bed!

Mikelapta you metioned the taxi fare from what airport is that from?

Any more tips/advice would be welcome!

We are also going to try to check out the 5th floor bar as some friends of mine went there & said it was a really special place http://www.5kat.com/

Happy holidays!!!

Natx

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
23/10/2009 10:13

For a Hotel that hasn't changed in over a 100 years (except the prices) look at 'Grand Hotel de Londres'.



Richard

ClaireCat44



Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 739

Message Posted:
23/10/2009 15:32

The airport you need for Taksim or Sultanahmet is Atatürk Airport. There is a regular airport bus service to Taksim.

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
23/10/2009 16:16

Hi Natless,the taxi fare is from Ataturk.Caught the bus from S.G....longer journey but nice views as you crossed the bridges

Mike

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
25/10/2009 10:57

Thanks for the info!

Natx

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
16/11/2009 22:22

Istanbul..what a wonderful, clean, vibrant, friendly & romantic city! So much to see & do! Full of old traditions yet modern too...great shopping & transport, old trams, modern & clean metro service, wide pavements & streets full of people coming & going or just wandering around, unlike here where I feel weird walking around as all you see are cars everywhere!

We stayed at the Blue House/Mavi Ev hotel, a lovely hotel, fantastic location & staff! Loved the city & had sunny weather too, very warm in the sunshine! Turkey is such an amazing country with so many great cultural & beautiful places to visit!

Thanks for all the info I would gladly go back, both to Istanbul & the Blue House hotel!

Natx

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
16/11/2009 22:28

try tom at IAH his details are here as flightholiday.I envy you would love to go back there xxx

lally


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 77

Message Posted:
17/11/2009 13:11

We stayed at the Blue House/Mavi Ev Hotel and were really pleased. 5 mins walk from the mosques and the palaces and a short tram ride to the Bazaars - fantastic City and felt really safe.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
17/11/2009 14:29

Sheila - if we can assist with:



1] the Hotel



2] transfers



3] flights



4] a full tour including transfers and day trips



5] Thoughts and help / advice



Tom

info@flightholiday.co.uk

NatAless



Joined: 31/03/2009
Posts: 789

Message Posted:
19/11/2009 08:09

Msg 18 We too felt very safe, lots of tourists around and people on the streets! It's a big city and you have to be careful like anywhere in the world but we walked around all day and at night too and felt very safe!

Must remember to post some positive feedback on the Blue House hotel website, definately very central and comfortable :0)

Natx