Ala Han Boutique Hotel

Mr Enver went out of his way to help us get around the city and feel comfortable, and we’ll always be grateful. The staff were all friendly and helpful, and the manager spoke English very well. The restaurant also had tasty food for vegetarians, which was a plus. The hotel is beautiful, with Arabian nights decor and gorgeous, comfortable bedrooms. Its old town location beside the mosque and bazaar was ideal, and I felt very safe. I had a wonderful stay and highly recommend it.

We gave this place three stars because cigarette smoke came into our room every night, despite the large no-smoking sign at the front desk. It didn’t happen in the morning or during the day. Maybe the night staff let people smoke inside, or perhaps they smoke themselves? If smoke bothers you and you want a decent night’s sleep, this might not be the place for you. The main draw is the location, with most major tourist sights an easy walk away. Our room was spacious and had an old Ottoman theme. It’s nice, though it could use an update. Staff were friendly, and breakfast was quite good, as you’d expect from a Turkish breakfast. There were a few kinds of eggs, soup, sucuk, vegetables and grilled vegetables, honey and molasses, chips, cheeses, bread, a coffee machine with different choices, juices, and fruit.

The staff were very nice and helpful, and the restaurant food was okay at best. The location is handy for historic landmarks, a lovely park, and the old bazaar, though that area is dirty and run down. The hotel feels outdated and needs major renovation and modernization. The biggest issue was how thin the walls and room door are. You can hear everything in the hallway, other rooms, and outside. Before dawn, the thousands of birds in the park make a lot of noise, and one of the mosques in the park broadcasts the morning prayer service, not just the call to prayer, over loudspeakers. This is in no way a five-star hotel.

The rooms were spacious enough for a comfortable stay, and breakfast was satisfactory. The hotel’s right in the center, so it’s easy to get anywhere. We enjoyed staying here.