Accommodation

After you made up your mind about how many stars your hotel should have and in what area your hotel should be located, it’s time to pick and book one. You of course want to get it at the best possible rate, with the highest discount available. In order to get a good deal, you need to book upfront. The earlier, the better rates you’ll get. Let me take you through the options.

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The Best Western President Hotel is the very first hotel I ever laid myself to rest after an action-packed day in Istanbul.
Back in 2001 it already was a highly recommended place to stay in the Bazaar district. And thanks to constant (minor) improvements to rooms and facilities, it still is.

Best Western President Hotel (****)
Adres: Tiyatro Caddesi No:25, 34126 Beyazit, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 516 69 80
Fax: +90 212 516 69 98
E-mail: info@thepresidenthotel.com
URL: http://www.thepresidenthotel.com
credit cards are accepted

Location

The President Hotel is located in a side street of Yeniçeriler Caddesi, an extension of the famous Divan Yolu Caddesi (Divan Yolu street). It is approximately 10 minutes on foot to major attractions like the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia, while the Grand Bazaar is only a 2-minute walk away. If you don’t like walking too much, there is a tramway within 100 meters of the hotel. It will take you to the main tourist attractions or as far as Eminönü and Beyoğlu (Kabataş).

Rooms

The rooms are typical for a 4-star hotel, meaning more basic than luxurious, yet functional and comfortable. All rooms have air-conditioning and heating, satellite and/or cable TV, a mini-bar and bathrooms with a bathtub and hairdryer. For those who can’t leave work behind, rooms also have Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) and a laptop-size safe deposit box. Upon request, non-smoking and sea-view rooms are available. You can choose between single or double rooms and junior or presidential suites.

Facilities

The hotel as a few bars, but its English Pub with occasional live DJ music is the most notorious one. If you want to eat in the hotel, you have the option between the Terrace Restaurant and the Ocakbaşı Grill House. I can’t testify for either, since we ate outside of the hotel most of the time.
Of course, the hotel has some health facilities as well. Pool, hamam, fitness, sauna … you name it, they have it. But in miniature versions. I kept them for last, since this is not why you come to Istanbul or why you should choose this hotel.

Once you decided on the area your hotel should be located in, it’s time to pick one that fits your needs. A tough choice. Istanbul has been accommodating curious Westerners for over two centuries and therefore has plenty of choices. Whether you want to pass the night in an Ottoman palace, a renovated manor, a traditional wooden house or a contemporary (luxurious) hotel, Istanbul has it all.

Picking a hotel

Accommodation in Istanbul is divided into three categories: star-rated hotels, special hotels and hostels.

Most hotels in Istanbul are awarded with one or more stars, based on the quality and service they offer. Since the amount of stars is provided by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and may vary from international standards, please keep the following in mind:

• one star hotels offer merely basic lodging, often rooms without private bathrooms and toilets
• two star hotels offer basic lodging with a private bathroom (shower) and toilet
• three star hotels offer a bit more comfortable lodging, distinguishing themselves from two star hotels by providing a bath and adding a TV and mini-bar to the rooms. Often these hotels also have a hotel bar in or next to the lobby
• four star hotels offer a very comfortable, mostly even luxurious accommodation. Most of them have nice rooftop restaurants, a (small) swimming pool and/or fitness room, a lobby bar and internet connection.
• five star (deluxe) hotels offer the same as four star hotels, but bigger and add some more services like large meeting rooms, in-house shopping facilities, more restaurants, etc. All extras the average tourist will never use.

Special hotels are not included in the star rating system. First of all there are the restored (historic) buildings, mostly offering Ottoman character. Secondly, there are the Boutique hotels that differentiate themselves from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation, services and facilities.

Hostels mostly focus on back-packers and/or low-budget young travellers. I have never visited any of the hostels in Istanbul and will therefore not list any reviews of them on Istanbul Trails.

Facilities

All hotels listed on Istanbul Trails are safe and comfortable, and the staff is able to assist you in English. Most hotels offer two single beds. If you prefer a double bed, make sure to add this request while making a reservation. With the exception of the special hotels, most of them have elevators. The electricity voltage in Turkey is 220V, utilizing the same outlets and plugs as on the mainland of Europe. Breakfast is normally included in the price.

Chances are very likely you’ll be woken up at the break of dawn the first few days. If not by the imams calling for prayer from their minarets, then from traffic-noise. The first is more or less inevitable and is part of the Istanbul charm, the latter can be avoided by requesting a room away from the street side.

Book in time

Despite the vast amount of hotels in Istanbul, booking a hotel (weeks) prior to your arrival is highly recommended and a definite must during the high season (April till November and around New Year). Also check out my guidelines on how to book a hotel to get the best rates.

Checking out

You have to leave the room before noon on the day of departure. This doesn’t mean that day is lost though. In most cases, hotels have special luggage storage facilities for departing guests. All hotels accept the major credit cards or cash money when Turkish Lira’s, Euros or Dollars. Tipping the staff (room service and/or bellboy) is expected and highly appreciated since they mostly make minimum wage.