Summary: Turkish based hotel with larger rooms that is rather new.Wonderful showers and L' Occitaine toiletries. Feels very 5 star. Location is good, but a little far from subways if you're traveling this way. Excellent service.
Service: The hotel maintains quite a high service level from check-in to room service to check out. I don't know if it's just Turkey or if it's the thoughtfulness of hotel staff, but I liked that they offer up a variety of options for budget in a classy way. For example, they politely dodged an argument from a guest who didn't understand about the standard practice of putting down a deposit for a room. Gentle, professional, but firm. Additionally, when I asked about options to get to the airport, they let me know private car was 80 euro, but in case I was interested a cab would only cost 55TL and that they had quite nice cab nice cab drivers that they worked with.
Location: This is closest to the Sishane stop if you are planning on checking out the metro (which you should. it's quite efficient). It is a little bit of a walk and if you aren't in super shape, i could see a bit of huffing and puffing as Istanbul is hilly. Also, it' s a straight downhill walk to get to Galata Tower and bridge and about 45 minute scenic walk to get to the Grand Bazaar area and touristic Sultanahmet. You are very close to Taksim Square and great shopping. If your tendencies lean toward shopping, I would select this spot. if your tendency lean toward siteseeing and you don't want to get in a cab to go to that, then you might prefer Sultanahmet a touch more. Tough call, because this hotel is so much nicer than many of the others.
Rooms: Actually, they are quite big. I took a regular room vs. upgrading to a suite, which I often will do. This was as big as a suite for some of the rooms I've had in Istanbul. This hotel is fairly new, and it was thoughtfully designed. Rooms are decorated in a very tasteful modern, old world colonial, with lots of crown molding, but tasteful recent modern touches. Bathroom are marble with rain shower heads and seats. The beds are very comfortable with nice pillows and quality thick 14" firm mattresses. It feels and looks lux. Lighting in the bathroom is surprisingly good with a cosmetic mirror installed. A rarity as I usually feel a man designed every bathroom I've been in recently.
Other Amenities: Room service was very prompt and flexible, as I got a little sick and chose form parts of the breakfast menu. They also brought a small treat each evening, which was truly appreciated and delightful. I am sad I did not try the spa, but it is suppose to be quite nice. read more