Cube Suites Apart-hotel

Kadir greeted me with fresh Çai and made me feel at home right away. He gave me a map with nearby restaurant and attraction tips, and even pointed me to a good Turkish barber. I also got to meet the resident cat. Mert was on duty at night, and both of them kept the Çai coming and made sure I had what I needed. When I had a small bathroom issue, they sorted it quickly and without fuss. The rooms mix traditional Ottoman and modern decor, and mine had a good sized kitchen and a bathtub jacuzzi. There’s a rooftop terrace with lift access, a nice spot to sit with a coffee, tea, or a drink from the local off-licence. The small spa / hammam can be booked once for free during a stay. It isn’t a full Hammam experience, but I enjoyed feeling fresh after an hour there. The Cube Suites are a handy base for a first Istanbul visit. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern in Sultanahmet are about a 10-15 minute walk away, and Çemberlıtaş Tram stop is eight minutes on foot. I found the place through Airbnb and had one of my best Airbnb stays. I’d gladly recommend it to friends and family and hope to return.

There were some nice touches: reception gave us a map and introduction to Istanbul, and tea, coffee, and snacks were free in the lobby. Our family suite had room for two people, the air conditioning cooled well, and there was a cute sleepy cat around the lobby. The location is down several steep slopes from Camberlitas tram station, so it could be tough with heavy luggage or mobility difficulties. Housekeeping also needs work. Dust remained in the same spots, towels came damp, and the sizes weren't consistent. The toilet was VERY small for a family suite, and the bathtub didn't drain well, so water pooled during showers and left residue. There was no shower curtain, and the old showerhead was low, about 1.8m at maximum.

The staff were the standout, helpful young professionals who seemed genuinely keen to make guests comfortable. The hotel was sparkling clean, and its spot in the heart of Istanbul was surprisingly calm and pleasant. I had a wonderful stay and would choose Suite Cubes Hotel again next time I'm in the city.

The people working here made the stay for me. As a solo traveller, I could ask them anything and they went out of their way to help. They were professional, but also felt like friends when that was what I needed. I can’t recommend the place enough, it’s a lovely way to meet people in Istanbul as well as somewhere to stay. I’ve stayed at several hotels during my Istanbul visit, and this was easily the best. The room felt homely and spacious, the bed was very comfortable, the shower was great, and housekeeping came regularly. You can walk to popular sights or take the tram, with loads of places to eat all around.