Merial Hotel

The manager was great and always ready to help sort things out. For the low price, the stay worked for me, even though the room had some problems: it was a little dirty, the spoons hadn’t been washed, and the refrigerator didn’t work. Breakfast was served on the roof of the hotel across the street, with a panoramic view of Istanbul. The food was ordinary, the selection was limited, and they didn’t always replenish things for new guests when they ran out. There weren’t regular scrambled eggs. Still, for that price, it was super.

The staff were all kind to me, and I was especially touched by the elderly gentleman at the registration desk. He felt like the kind grandfather from a fairy tale or Turkish series. Much respect to him. When my mom visited for a day, I expected to pay extra, but the desk told me she was my guest at no additional charge. Later they said she could join me for breakfast too. I hope they see this, thank you. I was satisfied with the hotel overall. The rooms aren’t new and could use cosmetic repairs, and my window looked out onto an abandoned building, but those felt like small issues. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious for Istanbul, and the internet in my room worked quickly without problems. I couldn’t work out how to switch off the light above the desk, so I unscrewed the bulb to keep it from disturbing my sleep. Bring earplugs if you want to rest without noise. I’d book breakfast with the room. It’s served at the neighboring hotel, and the breakfasts were amazing, with a different menu each day, fresh pastries, and desserts. The chefs and waiters deserve my respect, and the circular panoramic view was mind-blowing. A few things could be improved, but it was okay overall.

Mr Resul was a wonderful host, and I want to thank him for that. We had an amazing four nights here. Breakfast at Adamar Hotel was nice, and the location made it easy to get around: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and Gulhane Park were all within a five-minute walk. Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar were about ten minutes away on foot. The tram is nearby too. Even in touristy Sultanahmet, it was very quiet at night.

For the price, the location is hard to beat. Sultanahmet can be overpriced, but Merial hotel gave us a reasonable rate and it’s only a five-minute walk to Hagia Sophia. You can also have rooftop breakfast at their family hotel. The reception staff were really nice, and the place felt like staying at your grandpa’s house. Money well spent.