The Elegant Hotel

The rooms were clean and the staff were helpful. Breakfast wasn't a buffet. A good option if you need to stay near the eyup sultan mosque.

I rented a room, and my friend came to join me that afternoon. Soon after, staff knocked aggressively and told us we needed a marriage certificate or my friend had to leave. He said even engaged couples couldn't stay here together, and that he wouldn't rent separate rooms to two people of the opposite sex arriving together either. He wouldn't leave or even let my female friend stand in the doorway while I packed. It felt awful. If you're traveling with a friend of the opposite sex, this could be a very uncomfortable experience. I had checked in only an hour earlier and hadn't used the room, but he refused a refund, saying he'd already made the sale. He said the marriage rule was on the website, though I couldn't find it. Such a horrible experience.

The lift was out of order during my stay, and staff said repairs would take about three weeks. That could be awkward for anyone with heavy bags or mobility issues. The balcony curtain was a little too short, though it didn't bother me much. Otherwise, I found The Elegant Hotel comfortable and good value. My Double Deluxe Room was spacious, well equipped, and had a nice balcony. Breakfast wasn't a buffet, but the quality was good and satisfying. The location in the Eyup Sultan area is excellent, beside a lively high street with lots of shops selling local goods at reasonable prices. The Shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (RA) is about a five-minute walk away, and taxis were easy to find, either metered or through Uber. I'd recommend it for the convenient setting, comfortable rooms, and service at a reasonable rate.

A decent 3 star hotel. The staff were friendly and helpful, and my room on the top, third floor was spacious enough and had a balcony. The shower was roomy and came with the essentials and two pairs of slippers. There was also a keypad safe. The location works well for trying local food and shopping for local goods, with a bus stop only a few steps away.