Holiday Inn Istanbul - Old City by IHG

We had a great four-night stay. The hotel was tidy and very clean, especially the lobby and rooms, and the staff were pleasant and communicated well. The main issue was that the mini fridges didn’t work because the room card had to remain in the switch to keep the room powered, so I wouldn’t bring food back expecting to refrigerate it. The area was quiet and comfortable, with shopping nearby and the metro just down the street. Kemal was easy to work with at check-in and helped us get a double bed after we entered a room with a single. At checkout Erdal helped quickly and offered taxi options.

We stayed five days and were very happy with the service. The staff were friendly and ready to help, and on the first day a gentleman showed us the room and carried our suitcases. The hotel always smelled clean when we came in, and our room smelled lovely after housekeeping. Breakfast was nice, with fresh ingredients and a wide selection of food and drinks. The location was excellent, close to the sights and just a few minutes from the tram. Our room was clean and nice, with a large bed, but the window looked onto walls and other hotel rooms, couldn’t open wide, and had no real view because we were on the first floor. Booking didn’t show pictures of the available rooms, so we’ll never book again without seeing them. The air conditioner also didn’t work very well for a couple of days, and it wasn’t very warm. Still, for the cleanliness, appearance, and everything else, I give it five stars.

The staff made us feel like family, and that personal, genuine care made this the best hotel experience we’ve ever had. Fatih and Kemal gave us great suggestions for places to visit, arranged taxis, and helped plan tours, which made the trip easy and enjoyable. Cigdem and Turan were wonderful at breakfast, and Orhan did a superb job with the room cleaning and service. From the moment we arrived, Fatih, Kemal, Cigdem, Turan, and Orhan were kind, welcoming, and always ready to help. Our stay in Turkey was unforgettable, and this hotel played a huge part in that. I’m so grateful to the whole team and highly recommend staying here in Istanbul.

I left another Holiday Inn in town after a disappointing stay and was much happier at this one. It was cleaner, better placed for most things, and the staff were friendlier and more welcoming. Everyone I met seemed genuinely happy to help. My room was a nice, average-sized one with good amenities. The spa wasn’t open, and nobody explained why before or during my stay, but I did use the gym. Breakfast was wonderful and never felt too crowded. I’d definitely come back.