DeLuxe Golden Horn Sultanahmet Hotel

We didn't stay at the hotel, but we were able to eat and drink there while watching the sunset. The rooftop view of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia was humbling, and hearing the call to pray echo across Istanbul made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The food, staff, and service were great too. The hotel looked lovely, and I'll be back. Definitely worth putting on your list.

Breakfast on the top floor came with a nice view across the city, and the restaurant is also open for dinner at moderate prices. The location is excellent, and the staff are cheerful and friendly. Our room was clean and comfortable, though somewhat dated. The bathroom worked, but looked like it had seen better days many years ago. We enjoyed our stay and would certainly consider it again when visiting Istanbul.

The location is unbeatable. You can walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in just three or four minutes. That's about the only real advantage, though, and I found the rest of the stay disappointing. Some staff were welcoming, but others were unhelpful and sometimes outright rude. I tried to spend as little time in the hotel as possible. The rooms felt gloomy because the lighting throughout the property was so dim. When I first walked into mine, it felt like a funeral parlor. The air conditioning didn't cool the room properly, so it stayed uncomfortably warm. The fan they gave me had a cord so short it was nearly useless. Management promised to leave an extension cord in my room, but it wasn't there when I got back that night. I spent another night in the stuffy room with the window open. The breakfast buffet was average, enough to start the day but not good enough to make up for the other problems. I can't recommend the hotel on the strength of its location alone. The poor service, uncomfortable room, and lack of attention to guest needs made my stay far from enjoyable. I'd rate it 2.5 stars.

I arrived at 7:30am after 24 hours without sleep, needing a bed to rest, and was met by a rude, disrespectful concierge who argued instead of trying to help. I'd asked for an early check-in and was first quoted £50. On arrival, the price became £100, then I was told there was no room available. After that, I was quoted £70 for a room that wouldn't be ready until at least after 12pm, with no guarantee of whether or when it would be available. The front desk service and online customer service were both awful. Customer service was spiteful, telling me I could stay the day at another hotel and return to Deluxe Golden Horn for the rest of my stay. My trip was only 3 days, 2 nights in Istanbul. I wasn't going to unpack at a different hotel and come back to a place that offered nothing but bad vibes and rude behavior. I had high hopes, but I wouldn't recommend this hotel to anyone. I wish there were a zero-star option.