Abel Hotel

The receptionist was super friendly, and the location is great, around a 20-30 minute walk to some popular places in Istanbul. The rooms were cramped, but we managed, and the beds weren’t especially comfortable. Some reviews make it sound horrible, but it really wasn’t that bad.

Getting around was easy since the metro and train lines are nearby. The street was hectic, with packages, logistics and people rushing everywhere. At first we were a little scared, and my wife joked that we should watch out so we didn’t get kidnapped. I went to the store at 1 a.m. in slippers and got everyone :) The room had what you need: air conditioning, fresh towels every day, and an okay bed. Not perfect, but I slept fine. Better pillows would have helped. If you grew up in a middle-class family, it’s probably a three-star room. Breakfast gets 8/10 :) We ate lunch or dinner every day at SICAK cafe and restaurant.

The main problem was the soundproofing, or lack of it. You hear absolutely everything, and since breakfast starts on the fifth floor at 8, the noise means you won’t sleep past then. That’s why I gave it four stars, though it’s otherwise great value for money. The room was cleaned daily, towels were changed, and they kept replacing the soap, shampoo and toilet paper. Wi-Fi was decent. Breakfast was fine, with something to choose from each morning. The metro is close, and the major sights are all within a 30-minute walk at most. The street and neighborhood seemed a bit sketchy at first, but I never felt unsafe. I’m a woman from Europe and felt comfortable the whole time, though I didn’t go out at night.

I stayed here twice, for seven days in 2015 and five days in 2016. The lobby was calm, the staff and receptionists were polite and welcoming, and the rooms, though small, were cleaned every day. There’s also an elevator. The breakfast was good, with a sea view from the dining area. I’d choose a room with proper windows, as those are much better than rooms without them. It’s handy for the metro and tourist attractions, but the neighborhood feels unsafe, especially when walking to the station in the evening.