Istanbul Hotels and Accommodation

(Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey)

All kinds of accommodation can be found within Istanbul, ranging from five-star luxury hotels and boutique-style lodging, to budget dormitories within friendly youth hostels. Hotels with the best views are always amongst the most popular in Istanbul, particularly those overlooking the Sokullu Mehmet Pasa Mosque, the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) and of course the Sea of Marmara.

Many hotels in Istanbul come complete with rooftop terraces, where al fresco dining often takes place in the form of barbecues. When booking cheaper accommodation, do check that you will have you own private bathroom, that breakfast is included within the price, and that you can be picked up from nearby Ataturk Airport.

Where to Stay

The low season in Istanbul tends to fall between October and April (excluding Christmas and Easter), and so this is when hotels and most likely to be at their cheapest, offering the very best discounts, especially if you are planning to stay for at least three nights. Simply paying for your accommodation by cash will often secure a further reduction.

The district surrounding the Sultan Ahmet Camii forms the very heart of the historical Old City of Istanbul and the area is generally referred to as simply Sultanahmet. Hotels here are always in great demand, being convenient for sightseeing. Further accommodation is available close by, within the neighbourhoods of Binbirdirek, Camberlitas, Cankurtaran and also Kucuk Aya Sofya.

Although the hotels within Sultanahmet are always a safe bet, the Beyoglu area of Istanbul is enjoying a definite increase in popularity. Accommodation in Beyoglu may be more limited, but has the distinct advantage that Istanbul tourists are able to avoid the many touts within the Old City, whilst enjoying the excellent shopping and dining scene here.