Pera Residence

The location is the main plus: Carrefour supermarket is next door, and plenty of pubs and restaurants are within walking distance. Apart from that, I’m not sure what this apartment or hotel had to offer. I booked after reading the reviews, taking a gamble instead of choosing a traditional hotel on my first trip to Istanbul. It looked good on arrival, but things went downhill. Other residents held parties all night, and club music blared until 3-4am. One booked room smelled of sewage as soon as you entered. I reported it on the first day, but all they gave us was an air freshener, with no real urgency to fix it. The sofa beds didn’t work, so we had to sleep on the leather sofa instead, which wasn’t what we expected. Hot water was unreliable, leaving us with cold showers for seven days, and reception didn’t seem in a hurry to sort it out. During our seven-night stay, towels were changed only once. Bedsheets weren’t replaced, though they did make the bed on the day the towels were changed. Housekeeping was in the building from 10 to 5 but wouldn’t even replace the bin when asked. If you’re traveling with family and kids, I’d avoid it. For late-night parties, it might suit you. Hopefully management replaces the really bad mattresses and pillows and provides more housekeeping to make the place friendlier for a holiday.

The location made getting around easy, with Istiklal street close by and plenty of cafes and restaurants just down the road. Our apartment was clean and really lovely, and the staff were very helpful. We especially enjoyed the flat on the 5th floor, with its amazing terrace.

For the price, this hotel is a really good option. Taksim is close, and places around Pera street are generally expensive. I’d definitely recommend staying here.

The apartment was a standout: 150 square meters, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a small balcony. The beds were sturdy, clean and very comfortable, and the smaller bedroom had a wardrobe. Everything was clean, the floors weren’t dirty and the drains worked properly. The reception staff were also very polite and helpful, so I’d sincerely recommend this place in Istanbul. The building is on a busy, popular street, especially in the evening. You hear more than average in the living room and with the windows open, but the bedrooms stayed peaceful and quiet. Turn right from the hotel and you’re on the way to Istiklal Street, and there’s a small Carfour beside the entrance for basics. The furnishings are a little dated, honestly, though the quality of the materials is clear. The bathroom, kitchen, architecture and apartment features all feel high quality. I was impressed by the Siemens appliances and the furniture, flooring and fixtures. I’d read complaints about appliances not working and the TV not being smart, but that wasn’t our experience. The washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, oven, four-burner stove and fridge with freezer all worked. Kitchen supplies were limited but enough to get by. There wasn’t a hairdryer, and no dishwasher or laundry tablets, dish soap or sponge either. You can buy those for a few euros, or bring laundry tablets from home if you plan to wash clothes.