Avicenna Hotel Sultanahmet

The staff were the best part of our stay, really friendly and always ready to help. Breakfast had a great range of tasty sweets, though the rest of the selection could be better. Labels would also help guests know what the food is, and the same menu each morning could use more variety. Some rooms are so small it's hard to open a suitcase, and buildings blocked our supposed Bosphorus view. There were upkeep problems too: the hair dryer and iron were loose on the wall, which seemed potentially dangerous, and gaps around the doors let bright light into the room all night. The sheets needed more attention, and soap and toilet paper weren't replenished before they ran out. The guest envelopes in the rooms had confusing, unprofessional wording, including “Yes/Yes” where it should have said “Yes/No.” The staff's friendliness is a real asset, but the rooms and administrative details need serious refreshing to match it.

The balcony view was the one disappointment. The room was very clean, the bed was comfortable, and breakfast was amazing. Staff were so friendly and helpful, they couldn't do enough for us. It's in a perfect location, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone staying in Istanbul.

We checked out the next morning and found somewhere else to stay because we couldn't get any rest that night. My family and I had arrived at Avicenna Hotel for a trip to Istanbul, but the accommodation was far below what the online description and photos had led us to expect. The rooms were much smaller than expected and seemed poorly maintained. There was a constant damp smell, stained and dirty carpets, deteriorating decor, and a very small, unsanitary bathroom with visible mould. I have asthma, and the mould and poor air quality set off coughing, breathlessness, and chest discomfort. Noise carried through the hotel all night, with guests and other activity clearly audible. Gaps around the door let light in, and the locks didn't work properly, which raised serious privacy and security concerns. Because of the cleanliness, health, and safety issues, we had to find alternative accommodation urgently. I strongly advise others to avoid this hotel. It fell well short of acceptable standards for cleanliness, maintenance, comfort, and security, and we can't recommend it.

Emin and Baris made my stay especially nice. They were kind, professional, and always ready to help with a smile, and made me feel very welcome. Hotel Avicenna has a warm atmosphere, clean rooms, and a great location for exploring the area. I had a wonderful stay, and it exceeded my expectations.