[UPDATED 28 August 2019]
Choosing the right accommodation on your travels is crucial because it might just make or break your trip.
After all, there are so many things to see and do (especially in Istanbul ?), so even if it means spending more money, most of us wouldn’t want to waste time commuting back and forth from our lodging.
Credit: Giphy
We've got you covered: from cosy guesthouses to luxe hotels, we’ve listed 11 hotels that you can consider staying at for your next Istanbul trip! ?
Disclaimer: Room rates reflected below are accurate for a search in October 2019, but do note that rates may vary depending on demand during different travel periods.
1. Hotel Arcadia Blue
Located right in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet district, Hotel Arcadia Blue offers spectacular views of Marmara Sea, Aya Sofya and the majestic Blue Mosque.
Credit: Hotel Arcadia Blue on Facebook
One great thing about the Sultanahmet district is that it’s both the cultural and commercial hub of Istanbul, so there are lots of restaurants and cafes nearby!
In fact, most of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks are a short 10-minute walk from the hotel, including the Topkapi Palace and the Fountain of Kaiser Wilhelm II ?
Credit: @farzanaharoon on Instagram
To help you unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, the hotel provides various services such as a fitness centre, sauna and spa, so waste no time in pampering yourself ?
Credit: Hotel Arcadia Blueon Facebook
Address: Dr. Imran Oktem Cad. No:1 Sultanahmet, Fatih, 34400 İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD 131/RM551/Rp. 1.8m per night (Double Room)
2. Side Hotel & Pension
Situated just a few steps away from Sultanahmet Square and Aya Sofya, The Side Hotel is more like a pension than a typical hotel. Each room differs in size and layout, and you can choose whether to have a view of the sea or the city.
Credit: Side Hotel & Pension on Facebook
If you feel like driving around, this hotel also provides car rental service! Pretty useful if you're heading out of Istanbul to other exciting attractions in Turkey ?
P.S. If you have no idea which attractions to see here, check out these 10 incredible attractions every traveller has to visit in Istanbul!
Credit: Side Hotel & Pension on Facebook
There’s also a roof terrace with a rose garden where you can relax and enjoy your breakfast. Just picture yourself enjoying the fragrance of the roses while sipping on a warm cup of Turkish black tea ?
Address: Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Utangaç Sk. No:20, 34400 Fatih/Türkische Ägäis, Turkey
Rate: From USD55/RM231/Rp. 784k (Double Room)
3. Ada Hotel Istanbul
Ada Hotel Istanbul is an apartment-hotel with a terrace that overlooks the Marmara Sea and Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque. Imagine opening your windows in the morning to this view!
Credit: @narova_aseem on Instagram
All rooms are brightly decorated, and you can choose whether to stay in a one-bedroom apartment, which comes with a kitchen, washer and dryer, or a regular hotel room.
If you’re travelling in a large group, this is the right hotel for you as they have rooms with multiple beds. After all, where's the fun in staying in separate rooms? ?
Credit: Ada Hotel Istanbul on Facebook
The hotel is also within walking distance from the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Aya Sofya, while The Blue Mosque and The Grand Bazaar are approximately a 15-minute walk away.
Credit: Viktor Brik on Facebook
Address: Binbirdirek District Sehit Mehmetpasa Yokusu Street No.30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD 122/RM513/Rp. 1.7m (Luxury One-Bedroom Apartment), USD81/RM341/Rp. 1.2m (Standard Double Room)
4. Hotel Seraglio
If you want to be nearer to the sea, then Hotel Seraglio is for you. It’s located on a small street, away from the nightlife but close enough for you to be a part of it.
Credit: Hotel Seraglio on Facebook
Arasta Bazaar and Blue Mosque are within 5-10 minutes walking distance, and there are a lot of restaurants in the neighbourhood, including Sultan’s Cafe & Restaurant which is a really famous place among both locals and tourists.
Credit: Hotel Seraglio on Facebook
Some rooms even come with their own balcony and either a view of the hotel’s charming little courtyard or a view of the nearby Blue Mosque ?
#HHWT Tip: For something different, ask for a room with Turkish bath so you can soak all your worries away!
Credit: Hotel Seraglio on Facebook
Address: Cankurtaran Mh. Amiral Tafdil Sok., No: 32, 34122, Turkey
Rate: From USD91/RM383/Rp. 1.3m (Double Room)
5. Georges Hotel Galata
A modern hotel housed within a historical building in the heart of the trendy Galata neighbourhood, Georges Hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Galata Tower and the shopper's paradise, Istiklal Avenue.
Credit: @georgeshotelgalata on Instagram
It offers rooms with spacious balconies, and each room is equipped with a Nespresso machine, an iPod docking station and a minibar. Now that’s what we call awesome!
What's more, the hotel is surrounded lots of cafes and niche shops, while the hipster Karakoy neighbourhood is just a stone’s throw away, so you won't miss out on getting a taste of hipster Istanbul while staying here ?
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their rooftop restaurant that has spectacular views of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Credit: Georges Hotel Galata on Facebook
Address: Serdar-i Ekrem Sok. No: 24 Galata, Istanbul 34420, Turkey
Rate: From USD138/RM581/Rp. 1.9m (Classic Room)
6. #bunk Taksim
Being on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to give up on style! Head over to #bunk Taksim, a hip hostel just 700 m away from Taksim Square.
#bunk Taksim offers both modern dormitories (up to 8 people per room) and private rooms.
Credit: @bunkhostel on Instagram
Meet other travellers and make new friends over a game of table football or breakfast at the rooftop terrace, where there's also a pizzeria. A coin laundry is available as well, and there's a computer lounge with free wifi 24/7 ?
Credit: #bunk on Facebook
Istiklal Avenue is less than 10 minutes' walk away, while Galata Tower is no more than 30. Go for a room with a terrace so you can chill there during the night while admiring the stunning view of the city ?
Credit: #bunk on Facebook
P.S. Do take note that although private rooms come with en suite bathroom, toilets are still shared. Please check with the hostel before booking your room!
Address: İnönü Mahallesi, Papa Roncalli Sk. No:34, 34373 Şişli, İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD13/RM55/Rp. 185k (Bed in a 10-Bed Dormitory Room)
7. Nexthouse Pera Hotel
Situated in a historic street with numerous restaurants and cafes, Nexthouse Hotel is a luxury hotel that is literally several steps away from Istiklal Street, where you can shop till you drop ?
Credit: @nexthousepera on Instagram
If you want to be right in the middle of Istanbul’s nightlife, this is definitely the place to be: the atmospheric Asmalimescit Street, Nevizade Street and the Flower Market are all within walking distance ?
Credit: @nexthousepera on Instagram
Be prepared for the noise coming from Istiklal Street at night, though--the street never seems to sleep. Not recommended for light sleepers ?
Credit: @nexthousepera on Instagram
Address: Asmalı Mescit Mahallesi, İstiklal Caddesi & Kallavi Sk No:4, 34430 Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD69/RM291/Rp. 984.4k (Deluxe Double or Twin Room)
8. Tulip Guesthouse
For some peace and a taste of home, head over to the family-run Tulip Guesthouse situated in a quiet neighbourhood in Sultanahmet.
Credit: @kirilltuychiev on Instagram
Enjoy a traditional breakfast with homemade jam and Turkish coffee at the covered rooftop terrace while gazing at the scenic Bosphorus.
Credit: @dinaya.asabayeva on Instagram
No need to worry about being too far from the action though: The Afa Sofya Mosque and Sultanahmet Square are just a short 5-minute walk away, so you can escape the bustling city without going too far ?
Credit: Tulip Guesthouse on Facebook
Address: Akbiyik Caddesi Terbiyik Sokak No:19, 34122, Turkey
Rate: From USD57/RM240/Rp. 813k (Double Room with shared bathroom)
9. Nuru Ziya Suites
Looking for somewhere a little posh and with a fully equipped kitchen? Nuru Ziya Suites not only offers that but also a high tech gym as well as a room key that doubles as a public transportation pass once you charge money on it.
Credit: @nuruziyasuites on Instagram
Feel like staying in instead? Fret not: you can chill out as long as you want in your room with the Smart TV and a DVD player that each suit comes equipped with ?
The hotel is located on a quiet road just 100-150 metres from Pera Museum and Istiklal Avenue. There’s also a charming little garden inside where you can just chill and chat with other travellers as you rest from all that sightseeing.
Credit: @nuruziyasuites on Instagram
Address: Tomtom Mahallesi, Nur-i Ziya Sk. No:33, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD82/RM345/Rp. 1.16m (Standard Room)
10. Rooms Inn Taxim (also known as Taxim Art Rooms)
If you’re into art, make your way to Rooms Inn Taxim, a hotel in the heart of Taksim district that’s decorated with original oil paintings by a Lebanese/Beirut painter, Wadad Machlout.
Credit: Rooms Inn Taxim
Most of the rooms come with a balcony AND a kitchenette. Since the hotel is located near the main road, you’ll be able to watch the night come to life from your room.
Credit: Rooms Inn Taxim
The hotel is less than 5 minutes away from Taksim Republic Art Gallery, Istiklal Street, Taksim Square as well as the metro and tram station.
Address: Kocatepe Mahallesi, Dolapdere Taksim Cd No:29, 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD63/RM265/Rp. 898k (Standard Double or Twin)
11. Marmara Guesthouse
You'll feel right at home in the cosy Marmara Guesthouse - featuring a superb view of Sea of Marmara, this charming family-run guesthouse is situated at the centre of an open-air museum area in Sultanahmet district.
Credit: @pvajpeyi on Instagram
It gets better: the Aya Sofya Mosque, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are all less than 5 minutes' walk from the guesthouse. No sweat ?
Credit: Ritu Tapan Gogoi on Facebook
Before starting your day, be sure to feast on the traditional Turkish breakfast cooked by Mrs. Aye, the guesthouse owner herself while watching seagulls from the rooftop terrace. Coffee is also available at all times, free of charge!
Credit: @buyuyu on Instagram
Address: Cankurtaran Mahallesi, Terbıyık Sokak & Akbıyık Caddesi No:15, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Rate: From USD67/RM282/Rp. 956k (Standard Single Room)
Some people may think hotels aren’t that important since you’ll be out of your room most of the day. However, having a good rest is the key to making the best out of your trip! Go over your budget, pinpoint a location you’ll spend most time at and then pick a hotel that’s best for you! Good luck ?
[P.S.: To get started on planning your Istanbul trip, check out our 6D5N Turkey itinerary!]
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