Elasophia Hotel

You can walk to the main sights in about 5-10 minutes, which makes the location really handy for visiting Istanbul. The hotel has a nice atmosphere and the amenities you need for a pleasant stay. We thought the price was fair for what we got and would happily recommend it.

Mustafa and Muzafa made the stay special. They were warm, friendly, and generous with their help. The hotel is close to the Basilica Cistern, Agia Sophia, Top Kapi, and Blue Mosk. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Instabull. Thanks, Mustafa and Mustafa, for looking after us!

Mustafa at reception was especially kind and helpful, and the rest of the staff were courteous too. Breakfast had a big spread of vegetables, cheeses, local foods, boiled eggs, and pastries. We really liked the cappuccinos. The location is hard to beat: Hagia Sophia and Blue mosque are a two-minute walk, the metro is five minutes away, and Galata bridge and egyptian market take around 15-20 minutes on foot. Our “deluxe” room felt pretty basic and worn, more like a standard room, and looked out over an old cemetery. The 5am prayers woke us, though we understood that’s part of the culture and had no real complaint. For a budget-minded European traveler, those are useful things to know.

The breakfast was tasty, served at a state-of-the-art restaurant next door, and we’ll be back. The hotel is a gem, with great, helpful staff and a wonderful location. Mr. Muzaffar at the front desk went out of his way to suggest places nearby.