New Florenta Hotel

The location is technically central, but the hotel is surrounded by shops just outside the Grand Bazaar. Taxis can’t get to the entrance, so you have to carry your bags through narrow, crowded alleys. After the shops shut, the area is completely deserted and felt uncomfortable. We stayed five nights, and the room was far below basic expectations. The triple room was so cramped that three people could barely move between the beds and furniture. Cleanliness was our biggest concern: despite being told the sheets were fresh, we found hair in the bed, and the floors were covered in dust and lint. We had to ask for toilet paper, and when it still hadn’t arrived the next day, we fetched it ourselves from a storage cupboard. The elevator also made me uneasy throughout the stay. It shook noticeably before the doors opened and took unusually long to arrive. Breakfast was all Turkish, with little variety and small portions. That might be fine if you know what to expect, but this wasn’t made clear when booking.

The receptionist was helpful from the moment we arrived, and they let us leave our bags and luggage until the evening. Our time in Istanbul was definitely better because of this hotel. Breakfast was very, very good, and they welcomed us with Turkish tea and cake too. Good job by the staff!

The owner, Alderimir Bey, is very friendly and always ready to help. The rooms are clean, with housekeeping every day, and the hotel is close to the main tourist sights. It’s apparently better to book directly over WhatsApp. This is also a great option for tourists from Kazakhstan, since the staff speak Russian.

The hotel looked exactly like the photos, maybe even better. I’ve visited Istanbul five times, and this is the first time that’s been true. The staff were available around the clock and always ready to help, and the service and cleanliness were both top notch. Breakfast had plenty of variety and was delicious. We got back from Istanbul three days ago and are still impressed!