http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16383 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15174
Their website and online reservation service is impressive. However, the real treat is to book one of the deluxe suites (one twin, one double, I think) on the top floor for at least three days, reserve in advance and pay in cash. That gets you B&B accommodation, two free transfers from the airport, and discounts on the price - and a balcony with views over Haghia/Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque towards the Bosphorus and the Princess Islands!

We paid Euros 450 for four nights, which is not at all bad for central Istanbul in the high season.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11930 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11930 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6592
The front road seems quiet (although building work is going on opposite at the moment, and the mosque and local traders start making noise early). The back of the hotel faces directly onto a railway line with frequent noisy commuter trains. Rooms 1, 4 and 7 face onto the track, so I'd clarify whether you are front facing or not. Talking to other guests, they, like us, were initially put in the large ground floor room at the back, which is noisy, dark and has no opening windows. We, like them, asked to be moved (my confirmation email mentioned a quiet front-facing room). After a bit of grumbling we were put in room 3. However the rooms at the front are very, very small, even though they are beautifully decorated. In our room the bed was jammed into an alcove (room 6 has identical layout). Anyone above 6' can't lie with their legs straight, which is uncomfortable.

Hot water was the best we've had in Turkey, and breakfasts were lovely.

Prices were reasonable (hotels in Istanbul do seem more expensive than you'd expect) at 60€ for a double, 80€ if you wanted the room with a balcony onto the railway line (room 7, I think). Laundry was expensive $6 for 2kg. We were required to pay as soon as we arrived (we wondered if that was because some people wanted to cut short their stay after a noisy/cramped night)

It looked like hotels on Akbiyik Caddesi and Utangac Sokak were in the same kind of price range, but slightly easier to get to, and possibly quieter.

Having said all that, we loved staying in Istanbul and had a fantastic holiday. Turkey really is the least hassle, friendliest place we've been to, especially Istanbul.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5074
Chemberlitash Hamam: a spacious Turkish bath - the changing room, if I recall, is a corridor, but the actual hamam is large and one can spread out and lie on the marble slab in peace. In the smaller baths, there is no room on the central marble slab and you have to sit around, sweating and waiting for your turn for massage instead of lying down and relaxing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5074 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5050
The breakfast is very good - buffet style with plenty of things to choose from: yoghurt, different types of bread and pastries, olives, sliced meat, eggs and cheeses. Istanbul is a fantastic place to visit - and whatever you don't miss the Aya Sofia which is far more impressive (on the inside) than the Blue Mosque.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5050 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2813
The rooftop restaurant offers amazing views and having breakfast there is a great way to start the day. Dining there at night with all the surrounding sights (mosques and towers) lit up is also a great experience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2813 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5041 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5041 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1858
The rooms are fairly basic and quite small but clean and comfortable. They are all en-suite, have a TV and a fridge.

The views from the roof, where breakfast is served, are fantastic. Sit by the window with a plate of olives, cheese, jam and bread and stare out at the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus.

The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the atmosphere relaxing. Internet access is free to guests staying in the hotel.

Having stayed there twice I would recommend it to anyone on a budget.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1858