Blue Tuana Hotel

The location is the one good thing, but I wouldn't recommend staying here. The train noise kept me awake, and with the thin walls I could also hear conversations from neighboring rooms. The staff didn't know much English, so communicating was really difficult. Our towels were torn and looked dirty, there were holes in the walls, and the furniture needed renovating. This hotel isn't close to what Istanbul can offer, and staying here could ruin your whole trip.

We might book again, though some people will want to know about the downsides first. The area is very touristy, and restaurants and shops keep trying to pull you inside. That's how it is for a mile or two in any direction. The room and breakfast on the roof had fantastic views, and the fresh breakfast was included. The location is terrific, about five minutes from the Sultanahmet mosques. The shower backed up, and we had to let the water run for a while before it got warm. Noise was an issue too: the t6 train went past loudly every 15-25 minutes, and the mosque call to prayer happens five times a day. I tuned both out after the first day, and you'll hear the call to prayer elsewhere in the city anyway. The walls were also paper thin. We could hear other people's showers and knew they could hear ours. Google's airport directions aren't great if you've never been to Turkey. I'd take the m11 to the m2, then change to the t1 at the university or the t6 at the end of the line, yenikapı. The t1 means a bit of a walk and is crowded, but runs every few minutes. The t6 is quieter and involves less walking, though it may take up to 25 minutes to arrive.

The staff helped us park on the very narrow streets, which was a big help. I had asked about parking when I booked. This is a lovely little family-run hotel right in the heart of Istanbul, with a beautiful city view. The rooms are small but clean and have what you need: a safe case, mini refrigerator, shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, and plenty of towels. Breakfast has a good variety. I especially liked sitting on the terrace in the evening with self-service coffee or tea. Istanbul's a gorgeous city with so much history, and I'd definitely recommend staying here.

The staff were friendly, and breakfast was good. But our room was cramped, the AC didn't work, and there was no hot water at night. There was no water provided in the room either. With no lift and a narrow staircase, carrying bags was difficult. The road was closed for construction, so we had to walk all the way to the hotel with all our luggage.