Walnut Shell Hotel Sultanahmet

Three friends stayed here in separate rooms. The location worked perfectly for visiting the main sights, with hundreds of restaurants nearby. My room faced the back street, so it was quiet, and the A/C worked well. The rooms were clean and a good size, and we found the management very friendly. It seemed good value for money, and I'd consider staying again if I return to Istambul.

A good budget choice if you're mostly out exploring. The rooms are small but clean and fine for that, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Breakfast is the usual Turkish spread, served from 8-10 am, with enough food whenever you arrive. You can hear people in other rooms and birds at reception because the sound insulation is poor. There's no elevator either, which is especially inconvenient with big bags. Still, it's a nice place in a great location for tourists.

Friendly staff, and I slept well. The breakfast next door was decent, so it did the job for a trip. It's cheaper than other centrally located options, though the rooms are cramped and old. The kettle had no socket to plug into, and the fridge leaked, which made moving around difficult.

The room was cold even with the windows shut, the radiator fully on, several layers of clothes, and a blanket. It was also dark, with missing bulbs on both the wall and ceiling. There was black mold on the toilet ceiling, one shower head didn't work, and the room wasn't soundproof, so we could hear cars from the main road right beside the hotel.