Sultanahmet Palace Hotel

The location made exploring Istanbul so easy, especially for a first visit. The hotel is right by the Blue Mosque, cafés, restaurants, small shops, the Grand Bazaar, and other major mosques. The Grand Bazaar felt more overpriced than the shops nearby. I could hear the call to prayer from across the street, but it didn’t disturb my sleep. There’s no obvious elevator, though the hotel has only three floors and the steps are wide. My mother uses a cane and would have managed them fine. As a solo woman traveling, I felt completely safe. My flight was delayed and I arrived at 1 a.m., when two smiling staff members greeted me. The rooms felt secure, and I appreciated the chain lock on the door, which I hadn’t seen in most of the hotels I researched. The staff were professional, kind, and respectful. They didn’t hover for tips, though they certainly deserved them, and they carried my luggage to and from the room. I’m a very cautious traveler and tend to research everything, sometimes to an exhausting degree. If safety, cleanliness, a great breakfast, strong coffee, and being close to the sights matter to you, this place is an easy choice. My room had a garden view, but I was out exploring most of the time. If the view matters to you, you can book a garden or mosque view room. The sights are so close, though, that I barely looked out the window. The room was spacious for two and could fit three comfortably. The bed was comfortable, and everywhere looked and smelled clean. The bathroom was small, as is common in old European city hotels, but clean, with plenty of hot water, slippers, soft towels, and complimentary bottled water. Drinks in the minibar cost extra. Heating and cooling only worked with the key card in its slot, something many hotels do. I forgot once because of jet lag, and the front desk sorted it out right away. Breakfast had plenty of choices and set me up for long days on foot. I stayed in January, and it opened at 7:30 a.m., just in time for a lovely sunrise. For a nice photo, sit by the window facing the water. I’m so glad I picked this hotel and would stay again. I can only imagine how lovely it must be in summer.

The lobby and rooms have a charming vintage feel, with antiques and beautiful Turkish carpets. We were traveling from the United States, and every front desk employee was wonderful, kind, and helpful. They treated us like royalty.

The courtyard out front was a welcome buffer from the busy street, even with the hotel in such a lively area. We arrived early and were checked in without any trouble. We’d booked a Deluxe Room With Blue Mosque View, and the mosque looked stunning from the room. We also hired Omar from the hotel as a private guide for the full day, and were very happy with the tour. Breakfast was nice, though nothing especially memorable. With this prime location, it’s a pretty good option.

Breakfast was one of the best parts of our four-night stay. The spread wasn’t extravagant, but it covered a good range of choices and the food was very good. Service at breakfast was excellent, and the staff were very hospitable. The rates were extremely affordable for such a prime spot. The hotel is right beside the Blue Mosque and close to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, including Arasta Bazaar. Our rooms were very small, especially the bathrooms, where there was hardly room to move. The thermostat was faulty and took a long time to warm the room. The interiors looked rather old, but all the spaces were very clean.