Best Hotels to stay in when visiting Istanbul for short period (by category)
Istanbul is a city that offers many different atmospheres. When you think you have seen it all, you get lost by taking the wrong bus (true story that happened to me recently ... and that happens to me all the time) and you land in a completely different environment. This place is so exciting that it's hard to choose the neighborhood in which to stay when you come for a few days. My best advice would be to come several times and stay in different neighborhoods each time. This is the best way to get to know the whole city. Look at me, since 7 years of living together with Istanbul, I have already lived in 5 of its neighborhoods ... but I still can not say that I control the city perfectly.
Today, I want to help you find the best hotel that will fit all your requirements and expectations. If you are travelling to Istanbul soon, for a short period of time, either a week vacation, a few days weekend or a one-day lay over, I will, with my experience of 7 years in the Turkish touristic field, give you my best addresses of accommodation in the country. The hotels I recommend you on this page are sorted by category accordingly to the type of staying your have planed. Let's start now !
AREAS TO AVOID (especially for a 1st stay)
Let's start this list with the areas that I do not recommend you choosing to book your hotel in Istanbul, especially if it is a discovery, first step. It is better to avoid them because they are too far from the center, not well attended and / or simply underserved.
In Europe, Mecidiyeköy / Sisli (too crowded, not very aesthetic although central), Bakirköy (a little far from the center), Yenibosna - Laleli - Aksaray (average level of atmosphere although some hotels are not bad), Eyüp - Bagcilar - Bahcelievler - Basaksehir - Bahcesehir - Kucukcekmece - Sariyer (too eccentric, bofs level atmosphere).
In Asia, Umraniye (poorly served although some hotels not bad), Beykoz (poorly served although magnificent view), Bostanci - Atasehir - Maltepe - Kartal - Cekmekoy (too far from the center, not ideal for a first visit).
AREAS TO AVOID (especially for a 1st stay)
Let's start this list with the areas that I do not recommend you choosing to book your hotel in Istanbul, especially if it is a discovery, first step. It is better to avoid them because they are too far from the center, not well attended and / or simply underserved.
In Europe, Mecidiyeköy / Sisli (too crowded, not very aesthetic although central), Bakirköy (a little far from the center), Yenibosna - Laleli - Aksaray (average level of atmosphere although some hotels are not bad), Eyüp - Bagcilar - Bahcelievler - Basaksehir - Bahcesehir - Kucukcekmece - Sariyer (too eccentric, bofs level atmosphere).
In Asia, Umraniye (poorly served although some hotels not bad), Beykoz (poorly served although magnificent view), Bostanci - Atasehir - Maltepe - Kartal - Cekmekoy (too far from the center, not ideal for a first visit).
To know which will the district the most appropriate for you to stay in in Istanbul, I suggest you to complete this sentence:
I COME TO ISTANBUL FOR ....
... PARTY AND FUN → CIHANGIR / KARAKOY / GALATA / ORTAKOY (average prices, between 40 € and 75 € per night for 2)
Indeed, although my party side is well and truly buried with my twenties, I must say that Istanbul offers a very nice nightlife that you will find hard to find elsewhere. Whether clubbing or touring bars, I advise you to stay on the side of Cihangir where you will find nice clubs (and bobos), the side of Karakoy and Galata for evenings in pubs or terrace. You also have the Tünel option for Taksim clubs, but I recommend it moderately for the atmosphere I've already talked about here. Ortaköy is perfect if you want to enjoy the bling bling atmosphere of Kurucesme, Arnavutkoy or Bebek ... If I were you, and I was 20 again, I would have a hard time choosing because all these neighborhoods are worth the coup to stay a good week each :)
Few very nice hotels :
Cihangir: MySuite Cihangir & Tophane Suites & Astan Hôtel my 3 favorite hotels of this area.
Karaköy: Karakoy Rooms ou 10 Karakoy (5 stars hotels affordable).
Galata: Art Nouveau Galata is definitely my favorite Galata ...! Its neighbour Snog Rooms is also very nice.
Tünel: Tünel Residence affordable and cosy.
Ortakoy: The Stay Bosphorus (quite luxurious) or The House Next To (well situated and affordable). If you don't find space in these, try the Cumbali 27 which provides very nice appartements.
Cihangir: MySuite Cihangir & Tophane Suites & Astan Hôtel my 3 favorite hotels of this area.
Karaköy: Karakoy Rooms ou 10 Karakoy (5 stars hotels affordable).
Galata: Art Nouveau Galata is definitely my favorite Galata ...! Its neighbour Snog Rooms is also very nice.
Tünel: Tünel Residence affordable and cosy.
Ortakoy: The Stay Bosphorus (quite luxurious) or The House Next To (well situated and affordable). If you don't find space in these, try the Cumbali 27 which provides very nice appartements.
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... DISCOVER THE HISTORIC SIDE ONLY → SULTANAHMET / SIRKECI / BALAT (low price, between 30 € and 60 € per night for 2)
If you are present for a long weekend in total immersion in the monuments of ancient Constantinople, nothing better than the district of Fatih. Whether in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci or Balat, you will be in the center of history ... and you will have a large number of choices of hotels very correct and inexpensive:
Sultanahmet: Hôtel Arcadia (and its sumptuous views of the Blue Mosque) or Best Point Hôtel for its convenient location. You also have Kaftan Hôtel, very famous, and Sari Konak Hotel very reliable.
Sirkeci: Reggie Ottoman Istanbul ou Empire Suite Hotel sont fabuleux
Balat: Troya Balat Hôtel, an excellent value for money near the Galata Bridge.
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... SHOPPING → TAKSIM / BESIKTAS / NISANTASI (variable prices, between 30 € and 80 € per night / 2pers, 10 to 15 € / pers in hostel)What type of shopping are you interested in exactly? If you want to shop in the bazaars, Eminonu, Sirkeci and Beyazit are well placed, but if you want to shop, those in the high range are located in Nisantasi / Osmanbey while bargains will be found in Besiktas, Kadikoy and Taksim:
Sirkeci (affordable prices): Zeynep Sultan Hôtel
Sirkeci (unique experience): Orient Express Hotel, you feel at home !
Taksim (hostel): Bunk Hostel or Stay Inn very economical.
Taksim (nice and economic apartments): White Swan or Kavalali Suites
Besiktas: Puffin Hostel really cheap, or Aysem Hotel or Ortaköy, really economical and comfortable
Nisantasi (a little bit more expensive but well placed and close to everything): Hotel Favori or the excellent Jazz Hotel.
TIP
If you come to Istanbul to visit the historical side but also to do some shopping and have drinks on the terrace, the ideal place to stay and which will allow you to navigate throughout the city is Karaköy.
From Karakoy, you can take the tram to the historic center, take a bus or dolmus to Besiktas, take the funicular to Taksim, have a drink in the beautiful streets of the same district, walk to Galata or take the boat to pass Asian side. What more? The prices? They are very correct, see for yourself with my favorite addresses of Karaköy:
• For groups Flats Company is recommended.
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... QUIET AND SPA → SULTANAHMET (medium to high prices, between 40 € and 100 € per night for 2)
We now go to the best spas in Istanbul, because relaxation is all you need after a nice day of sightseeing in the streets of the city. Attentions, you will be amazed at the price / quality ratio of its magnificent hotels that offer magnificent spas 5 to 6 times cheaper than in the European side !
The best spa in Istanbul:
In the reasonable prices for a good but not wonderful service, you have the hôtel Gulsoy which is well placed and offers a nice spa in Fatih.
CVK Bosphorus Hôtel on the Taksim side, a wonder I've heard a lot about.
At Sultanahmet, you have the Ajwa Hôtel, to feel like you're in a fairy tale.
In the heart of the historic district, Miss Istanbul Hôtel & Spa will pamper you !
For luxury, do not hesitate to book at Swissotel The Bosphorus for a unique experience...
CVK Bosphorus Hôtel on the Taksim side, a wonder I've heard a lot about.
At Sultanahmet, you have the Ajwa Hôtel, to feel like you're in a fairy tale.
In the heart of the historic district, Miss Istanbul Hôtel & Spa will pamper you !
For luxury, do not hesitate to book at Swissotel The Bosphorus for a unique experience...
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... LIVE A LOCAL EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY → KADIKOY / USKUDAR (low to medium price, between 30 € and 70 € per night for 2)
It is well known that the Asian side of Istanbul offers a much more authentic experience than the European one. For this local experience, I only have two neighborhoods to advise you: Kadikoy and Üsküdar. You will be very well located but also in the whirlwind of real life in Turkish, with its good and bad sides :) Do not forget that on the good side, if you stay in these areas, you will often take the boat to to pass on the other side, and that is priceless!
Kadiköy Hostels: Bahane & Hush Moda are the 2 addresses to remember
Kadikoy nice hôtels: Loka Suites & Khalkeo Hotel are my favorites (as an expert of Kadikoy, you can trust me on this ;)
Üsküdar: An hostel that I recommend: Veni Vidi Dormi, absolutely authentic and adorable. For hotels, 2 good addresses: Ottoman Suites by Sera in the center & The Bosphorus House on the beach
You just come to work? What a pity ! Be aware that with a beautiful view, you will find comfort and will leave having seen the country anyway. For that, it is enough to reside in a beautiful tower of Levent or Maslak. If you come for a lounge, of course, better stay near the airport at Florya or Bakirkoy. Sisli is the right option if you want to be in the center all the same. My proposals have never disappointed my French clients (when I was a consultant):
It is well known that the Asian side of Istanbul offers a much more authentic experience than the European one. For this local experience, I only have two neighborhoods to advise you: Kadikoy and Üsküdar. You will be very well located but also in the whirlwind of real life in Turkish, with its good and bad sides :) Do not forget that on the good side, if you stay in these areas, you will often take the boat to to pass on the other side, and that is priceless!
Kadiköy Hostels: Bahane & Hush Moda are the 2 addresses to remember
Kadikoy nice hôtels: Loka Suites & Khalkeo Hotel are my favorites (as an expert of Kadikoy, you can trust me on this ;)
Üsküdar: An hostel that I recommend: Veni Vidi Dormi, absolutely authentic and adorable. For hotels, 2 good addresses: Ottoman Suites by Sera in the center & The Bosphorus House on the beach
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... BUSINESS IS BUSINESS → LEVENT / MASLAK / BAKIRKOY / SISLI (high prices, between 70 € and 130 € per night for 2)You just come to work? What a pity ! Be aware that with a beautiful view, you will find comfort and will leave having seen the country anyway. For that, it is enough to reside in a beautiful tower of Levent or Maslak. If you come for a lounge, of course, better stay near the airport at Florya or Bakirkoy. Sisli is the right option if you want to be in the center all the same. My proposals have never disappointed my French clients (when I was a consultant):
Levent: Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent, for a splendid view of everything Istanbul!
Florya: Elite World Business, the most beautiful hôtel of Florya.
Bakirkoy: Bakirkoy Tashran Hotel, simple, cheap and close to the airport and the exhibition center.
Bakirkoy: Bakirkoy Tashran Hotel, simple, cheap and close to the airport and the exhibition center.
Sisli: Business Life Hotel, average price, placed near Sisli, comfortable.
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... MY HONEYMOON → ON THE BOSPHORUS (high prices, between 80 € and 150 € per night for 2)
Lovers, I found you a wonderful hotel with a view, close to transport, so that we can enjoy your trip! Here are some economic and pleasant options ...
For lovers:
→ The Househ Hotel Bosphorus, very romantic, nice view, average prices.
→ Sumahan On The Water, really close to the water, absolutely beautiful...
→ Le Galata Antique is a classic unmissable, luxurious and reasonably priced.
→ Sari Konak Hotel, the best hotel in the historic district, see the pictures!
→ Sari Konak Hotel, the best hotel in the historic district, see the pictures!
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... TO ISOLATE MYSELF → THE PRINCES ISLANDS (any type of price)
Without any hesitation, I advise you to book directly your hotel on one of the princes' islands near Istanbul which will immerse you in a most mystical atmosphere. Preferably, if it is winter or a moderately hot season, prefer Buyukada Island, so as not to be too isolated when needed, but in the hot season (which will be very touristy), you can reside on Heybeliada or Burgazada without problem.
Here are some hotels I tested or friends have tested and loved:
Buyukada: 3 unforgettable and economical addresses Ada Palas, Serguzest and Lale Kosk
Heybeliada: Selanikli Pansiyon is the only address I recommend on the island
Burgazada: the unmistakable Pyrgos Hotel ... A haven of peace at the sight .... splendid!
To find hotels with swimming pools or French-speaking hotels, see the permanent list updated every month by clicking here!
Would I have forgotten a category of stay that might exist? If you have ideas or other hotels to recommend, you can write me a comment, I would love to add them.
For info, all these hotels are my recommendations, no hotel has paid to be included in this list.
To follow my adventures on Instagram, follow the account => @blogistanbul
To follow me on Youtube, here is my Youtube channel (in French)
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