Hotel in Istanbul Prior to Windstar Sailimg

[suezqt]

Any recommendations for a hotel in Istanbul for one night prior to my sailing? Want it to be centrally located within walking distance of historical sights.

[6rugrats]

Stay in the Sultanahmet district. I recommend you choose one after reading reviews here:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293974-Istanbul-Hotels.html

 

I stayed at the Emine Sultan, but do not recommend it, despite the puzzling glowing reviews.

[therhodes]

I can highly recommend the Ferman Hotel. We just stayed there for 5 nights in June/July. Great location, great room, great service.

[lovecruisingtoo]

Four Seasons, without a doubt.

[therhodes]

Is it the Four Seasons that was the prison? If so it is lovely but big $$$$$ and right around a corner or two from the Ferman.

 

Another hotel we were going to stay at was the Sumengen Hotel, which was just down the street....but Ferman price was a touch better AND it has the best views from it's rooftop breakfast terrace/bar (soon to be restaurant they told us).

 

I would definitely say Sultanahmet somewhere, but wherever you decide to stay, Istanbul is an incredible city!

 

Linda.

[therhodes]

Sorry, should have added to my post above that we are also interested in your Windstar experience(s). We did a gulet cruise for one of our weeks in Turkey and it was one of the highlights. We are thinking of doing Greece or the Dalmation coast next year and have considered Windstar or some such ship. Definitely don't want the biggies as you can't get into some of the wonderful spots for "jumping off".

 

So please come back and tell how you enjoy it.

 

Thanks.

Linda.

[WLSAMB]

The new "W" is awesome. The Four Season is nice too but overpriced!

[lovecruisingtoo]

Is it the Four Seasons that was the prison? If so it is lovely but big $$$$$ and right around a corner or two from the Ferman.

/QUOTE]

 

Yes it is the one that was the prison and yes it is expensive but worth it. Had the best service anywhere and their recommendations for restaurants were fantastic and inexpensive.

[Amazing Ariel]

We are staying from Aug 4-8 at the Ottoman Imperial Hotel in Sultanhamet. The reviews were great so we hope it will be all we expect it to be...

[steel magnolia]

We have been to Istanbul 5 times, 4 times with a Windstar cruise. The Empress Zoe is our favorite place to stay. You have to be able to climb stairs, as there is no elevator. The hotel is composed of several old homes joined together around a garden and an old Turkish bath (no longer in use). From the rooftop, you can watch the ships on the Marmaras, see the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sofia. You can walk to the Spice Market, the Old Bazzar, the Mosaic Museum, Topkapi Palace,and the archaeology museum, also. It's old Istanbul at its best and books up quickly. Check out their web-site to see if it's what you're looking for.

[rogfam]

We also stayed at the Four Seasons, and was worth every penny.

[brazzleman]

We stayed at the Hotel Seven Hills (our room looked out on the Four Seasons). Roof top restaurant with killer views of of the Bosphorus, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sofia. Breakfast served every morning with that view and we even ate there on 2 of our 4 nights prior to the cruise. Not the Four Seasons, but very comfortable - we picked it as it was featured in a Conde Nast's "Room with a View" section that ends the magazine.

[Bunky645]

This is a "first" for us--Would you recommend that we fly into Istanbul a day or two early to adjust to time change before our tour begins? We will depart NY in Sept. 2010 and will spend the first couple of days in Istanbul as part of the tour. Your suggestions would be appreciated! ~Bunky645

[lovecruisingtoo]

This is a "first" for us--Would you recommend that we fly into Istanbul a day or two early to adjust to time change before our tour begins? We will depart NY in Sept. 2010 and will spend the first couple of days in Istanbul as part of the tour. Your suggestions would be appreciated! ~Bunky645

 

Yes you should go a couple of days early. Plenty of things to see and do in Istanbul. On our last trip there we only went 2 days early and wished we had gone earlier.

[jpver]

This is a "first" for us--Would you recommend that we fly into Istanbul a day or two early to adjust to time change before our tour begins? We will depart NY in Sept. 2010 and will spend the first couple of days in Istanbul as part of the tour. Your suggestions would be appreciated! ~Bunky645

 

Istanbul is simply an amazing historical city. Friendly people. Last year 2009 we stayed 2 days... and regretted not have taken 3 or 4 days.

Agree with other comments about Sultanahmet area (old historical part). You are in walking distance from Topkapi, Bleue Mosque, Agia Sophia and others... This already you need at least 2 days. Also take a boat tour on Bosphorus . Visit also the newer part and the Asian part.

(we didn't unfortunately have the time)

Stayed in Yusuf Pasa Konagi Hotel , name seems strange but is cosy hotel a few streets down the Four Seasons. Excellent price / quality.