Galata Life Istanbul

Finding the entrance takes a little attention since you go in through a jewelry shop, but Google Maps gets you there. The street can be noisy until around 10 or 11pm, which makes sense for this part of Istanbul, and there's no elevator. Inside, though, it was cozy, quaint, clean, and affordable, with a good bed, strong water pressure, hot water, and good climate control. The man who checked me in was super friendly and accommodating. He really seemed to care that I was looked after, and offered me tea whenever I came or went. I didn't ask whether there's a cafe or breakfast. For the price, I had everything I needed to be happy.

The owners' hospitality was such a nice change from staying in a big hotel, and I'd happily come back. The location puts everything within walking distance. My room wasn't huge, but it felt cozy, and I was surprised by how big the bed was. For this price, it's definitely a place I'll keep in mind.

The staff can get stretched between the guests and the shop downstairs, but they were friendly and really tried to help. There's no one on duty late at night or early in the morning, so keep that in mind. The private room was a little small, though the price is hard to beat. It's very close to the Galata tower, which was being rebuilt while I was there.

After walking along Istiklal Street toward Galata Tower, this is a lovely little place to stop for tea, just a minute from the tower. The host is very friendly and can share tips about the local area. The WC was clean, and there's a rooftop too. I really liked the tea, and they gave us complimentary biscuits for TL3 or 4.