Seven Hills Hotel

For anyone coming from Switzerland, or anyone who wants a calm, premium atmosphere at this price, we’d recommend spending more and staying at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. Seven Hills works as a rooftop restaurant visit, but we wouldn’t choose it as a hotel again. We paid about €250 a night, roughly CHF 235 or $285, for a Junior Suite with a Hagia Sophia view over Ascension weekend. The location, room quality, view, and staff service were genuinely very good. But the rooftop restaurant business model ruined the stay. Hotel guests had no quiet or exclusivity. Breakfast, coffee, lunch, and evening drinks were shared with what felt like hundreds of outside visitors throughout the day. Groups of tourists, influencers, and other loud visitors constantly blocked the elevators, stairs, and corridors. The place felt more like a crowded fast food tourist spot than a premium boutique hotel. We even had to leave our own hotel to enjoy a peaceful coffee. The restaurant may bring in money, but in our opinion it badly undermines the hotel's own business.

Ismael at the front desk made the hotel feel like a home in the city. He helped me check in, suggested tours, and welcomed me warmly. Even hours after I’d gone out exploring, he greeted me by name when I came through the lobby. The next morning he did the same, smiled, and directed me to the elevator for breakfast. The panoramic view there is unmatched. Before I headed out, he reminded me about my 11am transportation and wished me well for the morning. I’d recommend the hotel for its location, the friendly lobby team, and the service before arrival. They arranged my airport transportation through the hotel WhatsApp.

The rooms were super clean, and for an older hotel the shower had excellent pressure and plenty of hot water. There are some broken things, but nothing that got in the way of our stay. The staff were all friendly and attentive, and I really can’t say enough about them. It’s a charming hotel, very convenient for the old part of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. I’d recommend it. Thank you for a wonderful vacation!

Our room had a beautiful view, and the included breakfast is well worth recommending if you want the full Turkish kahvaltı experience. The rooftop was amazing too. We had a 10/10 stay and would definitely come back. I highly recommend this place for a visit to Istanbul. Murat, Sinan, and the whole reception team made our time special from the moment we arrived, with genuine warmth and kindness. Murat especially has a heart of gold. He’s helped me many times on visits to Istanbul and has truly become a dear friend. His sincerity makes such a difference. The whole team were always checking that we were comfortable and asking if we needed anything. Their hospitality made the stay amazing and memorable.