Hotel Hammamhane

The staff were a huge help, especially Deniz, and breakfast was fantastic. Our room was spacious, with great beds, and the design mixed traditional and modern touches with real taste. The hotel sits on a lovely little street, about five minutes from Istiklal and Taxim square, and ten minutes from Galata port. A five-star stay!

I wasn’t staying at the hotel, so I can’t comment on the rooms. I stopped by the café while antique shopping early one morning, hungry and looking for Turkish coffee. Most places nearby were still closed until 10, but this one was open and welcomed me in. The menemen was delicious and nicely presented, and it came quickly since I was the only customer. The coffee was among the best I’ve had in Istanbul, so I’d happily recommend the café for breakfast. The one drawback was the cigarette smoke outside. I had to walk through a cloud to get in, and as a retired chef I found it a little unsettling to see the chef smoking before going inside to cook. I’d rate the experience 9.5 out of 10.

I slept really well on the comfortable bed, and the location made exploring easy. Taksim Square is about a 10-minute walk, and the Egyptian Bazaar takes around 30 minutes on foot. Having a hammam right next door was a lovely extra. Our studio was spacious, spotless, and had everything we needed. I liked the complimentary water bottle and hallway water cooler, as well as the signs asking guests to conserve water. Those thoughtful touches felt eco-friendly. Breakfast also had a great selection and tasted delicious. The warm service and care throughout Hammamhane exceeded what I expected. I had a lovely stay and would book it again on my next trip to Istanbul.

The people are what make this place special for me. Deniz is always ready to help at the desk, and Ayşe at breakfast spoils you with delicious food. The neighborhood is lovely, and the location near Tophane station makes it easy to get almost anywhere. I’ve stayed at Hammamhane three times now, and it felt like home from my very first visit. It really is my second home in İstanbul.