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Going to Istanbul for 5 nights on a tier-point driven BA Holidays trip in a couple of weeks time and I am looking for some recommendations on hotels. Modern (ish), city centre or within short travelling (commuting or walking) distance of the main tourist sites. Ideally 4-5 stars. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!
Is this your first time?
If so, you should do what most tourists do and stay in a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet (tourist central). These are often large old Ottoman dwellings converted into small hotels, and should be within walking distance of the usual main attractions.
Of course, there are people who can’t live without the perceived comforts of a full service international chain hotel, even in a city like Istanbul where you’d ideally be out and about all day, every day. There are plenty of these too, and the prices are (for the next few months at least) much higher than they ought to be given historical pricing.EDIT: happy to see you’ve used the correct new/official spelling for the country.
I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Istanbul Sirkeci. It’s a short walk to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica cistern, Blue Mosque and is close to Gulhane park which is a nice peaceful park. Service was excellent there and there are plenty of places to eat nearby – I ate at the restaaurant directly across the street a couple of times and had great meals.
Is this already booked as what you wrote isn’t clear.
Surely if you’re doing a BA Hols TP run for the double TPs you’d have a hotel already as part of the booking?
If booking a BA Hols only a limited number of hotels will be available to you.
Is this already booked as what you wrote isn’t clear.
Surely if you’re doing a BA Hols TP run for the double TPs you’d have a hotel already as part of the booking?
If booking a BA Hols only a limited number of hotels will be available to you.
Thank you for your response and to everyone else who has kindly responded so far.
I have BA kindly holding my booking as a flights-only one for now and they just need me to revert with the hotel part of the booking so that I can qualify for the double points. Spoilt by “too much” choice at the moment… the BA Holidays site is showing 69 four- and five-star hotels available for that period! This will be my first time visiting Istanbul so anything to help me whittle that long list down to 2 or 3 choices will help.
Thanks for posting this as I’m also going in two weeks or so (first time) and I’ve never been so indecisive and spoiled for choice!
Hagia Sofia mansions if cost is not a problem. Can’t beat the location.
Also depends what you want to do in the evenings, as Sultanahmet is pretty much dead
except for tourists looking for somewhere to eat!
I far prefer somewhere like Beşiktaş and do the “visits” during the day but be
close to bars/restaurants in the evening. The W was an obvious choice, but is leaving
Marriott and I believe is still closed (presumably for a reflagging).
Even the Conrad position is fine for getting around.
For something less chain-y, Pera Palace or something around Galata Tower?I’m doing Conrad this year with the family.
We figured boats are much reliable, cheaper and easier to get around than taxis, and Conrad is 10-15min walking to the pier.We did Sultanahmed area once. The hotel was boutiquey but the area seemed very much fake and touristy.
I must add I always thought Hagia Sophia and the Palace were so overrated. So I don’t have much reason to go back to Sultanahmet or the Pudding Shop area.
And my internet is patchy so sorry for multiple posts.
To eliminate all the hotel options, I only considered the ones with a Bosphorus view and closure to public transport. As I said this year we want to do boats/ferries so Conrad ticked all the boxes.
If money was no issue I’d do Four Seasons, the new Peninsula or Mandarin Bosporus. Otherwise, Swiss, Shangri La and Ritz Carlton seem to have great views as well. St Regis is right in the centre of the new town.
If you are a foodie like me, Sultanahmet area may not be the best choice. There are newly decorated restaurants in the city near the new town.
I suggest the area around the Sirkeci station – I’ve just had a look at what’s available on BA Holidays and there doesn’t seem to be much – this place looks nice Sanasaryan Han a Luxury Collection Hotel. Pera Palace is also very nice.
We have stayed in cheap and cheerful that I wouldn’t recommend and the IC which treated us well but I don’t recommend the area for a first time visit. We stayed in the FS on the Bosporus which is wonderful but again not on a first visit as you may not want to leave the hotel.
Another vote for the Doubltree Sirkeci as a reasonable choice. 15-30 mins walk to almost everything, subway station behind it (if you can find the entrance) some good restaurants opposite and around the area and a deceent bazaar close by. Service is good.
Only wierd thing about it is if you get a “balcony room” as I opted for, you only have a view when standing and looking over the concrete wall. Seated you can’t see anything.
I stayed at the St Regis at the tail end of last year. I couldn’t recommend the hotel or area highly enough (not quite tourist central, but close enough).
Thank you for your response and to everyone else who has kindly responded so far.
I have BA kindly holding my booking as a flights-only one for now and they just need me to revert with the hotel part of the booking so that I can qualify for the double points.
Be careful with that. Adding a hotel to a flight does not automatically mean it becomes a BA holiday.
If you’re booking a BA hotel, it might be helpful to list the options you’re considering here and ask which ones are best?
Be careful with that. Adding a hotel to a flight does not automatically mean it becomes a BA holiday.
100% this. It needs to be one transaction. It might be one transaction if someone in holidays holds the flights and then you pick a hotel, but frankly if double TPs matter to you, do this in one fell swoop. You don’t want a post-trip argument and a delay to status kicking in.
+1 for the Doubletree Sirkeci, it’s a decent stay and even though I booked a BA Holiday package with the standard room, on arrival I gave reception my HH details and they upgraded my room (gold through Amex Plat).
Indeed, most Hiltons will add your booking to your account beforehand so you can see it in the app. You may also get benefits like free breakfast as gold or diamond, though it’s not guaranteed.
The Intercontinental for me. Breakfast probably the best spread I have ever seen in a hotel
Indeed, most Hiltons will add your booking to your account beforehand so you can see it in the app. You may also get benefits like free breakfast as gold or diamond, though it’s not guaranteed.
Interesting, I had assumed BAH were treated as an OTA – do you know if any of the other chains recognise status when booked through BAH, might change my hotel choice in future?
No, I’ve only ever booked Hiltons with BA Holidays. Also I wouldn’t consider it reliable enough to influence my choice of hotel.
Even at Hiltons, you don’t get night credit or points for the stay.
Stayed a number of times in Sultanahmet in small local hotels. Last couple of stays have been at the Pera Palace. Much prefer the location. If you decide to stay there, it might be worth contacting them direct, as they still regularly email me special offers.
Stayed at the Conrad last year and wouldn’t recommend. Paid for a Bosphorus view and it was oblique to say the least and I got very cheesed off with staff handing me cards to big them up on Tripadvisor. I did enjoy Istanbul and would happily go again but choose somewhere more central next time.
Had a great day out to Edirne with a local guide.
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