Lily Airport Otel

The Abi and Abla here were so friendly and hospitable, and very helpful. The receptionist even helped lift my super large, heavy luggage when I arrived at the hotel. They gave me a Quran and praying mat, and helped me when I got lost in Salizbosna area. I extended my stay by two days for a short vacation after a conference and work trip in Istanbul. I’d booked the closest hotel to the airport so I could get there easily, but getting into the city to explore historical sites is hard. It takes several public transport rides just to reach Aksaray area. Most people here don’t speak English, which also made it hard to communicate at the local market.

The front desk guy was really rude when we asked for a refund, and refused. We ended up leaving the premises because we had no other choice. The photos made the hotel look better than it was. Things seemed fine until we went into our room: there were huge gaps and holes in the ceiling, cold wind blew in, and the room was freezing. We asked to move, but the other rooms were no better. They all looked old and in need of serious maintenance, like a health and safety hazard.

I arrived pretty late, and although there’s no restaurant, the staff kindly arranged for a takeaway pizza to be delivered. Room service was at a very reasonable price. They also have an airport pickup and drop-off service. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, with a great shower and a hairdryer provided. The floor-to-ceiling window overlooks the road, so better-fitting curtains or covering the lower section would help. Make sure you understand how the hi-tech lights work.

The hotel could have huge potential if it were refurbished. During my transit stay in Istanbul, though, the broken bed, broken toilet flush handle and non-working AC/heating made it disappointing. I told reception about the flush, but it wasn’t fixed while we were there. I didn’t shower because of the bathroom’s condition, and some plugs didn’t work. Our room had three beds, including a sofa bed and a double bed. The elevators were spacious, with a nostalgic feel. The yellow taxi charged 20 euros for the ride. The hotel is on a back road off the main thoroughfare, with steps up to reception and a steep inclined slide for wheelchair users. They offer transfers if you want to avoid dealing with taxis. At check-in I handed over my passport and other documents, but was put on hold when a local guest arrived. They were attended to first, then I finally got service. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants along the main road, with a distinctly local feel, and there’s a mosque nearby. My research showed no nearby metro or tram stations, so getting to the city center requires Uber or local taxis. Street parking is available, and the room had a kettle and some refreshments.