Marmara Pera Hotel, Istanbul

Advantages: As cheap as you like
Disadvantages: Not well advertised

...Istanbul is a city break to be done. It is a place where there is lots of sightseeing, shopping, eating, exploring and discovering. I love Istanbul and find that everytime I go I learn something new about the old city. With so much to do I promise myself each time that my next stay will for a longer period but I have yet to stay long enough to satisfy my hunger for this city. I have stayed in two very different types of accomodation in Istanbul, on my first visit I stayed at the Pera Palace, once visited my Agatha Christie and Ataturk himself. An extraordinary hotel with all the original features in place, the hotel has a certain mysterious air to it. The rooms are like the rest of the hotel, quite charming. The Pera Place is situated in Beyoglu which is the British version of Soho or Leicester Square with lots of life... Read review

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Advantages: convenient location, charming decor, delicious, varied Traditional Turkish breakfast-better than most lower-priced hotels
Disadvantages: no elevator (ask for a lower floor if you have heavy luggage), dark street, lots of night noise

...I teach in Istanbul and often choose to stay in the city. A few friends and I recently tried the Sultan's Inn because our regular "haunts" were full and the Sultan's Inn had low rates and high ratings. When we first arrived, we thought we'd hit pay dirt. The desk clerk was friendly and helpful, and the lobby decor is a charming version of traditional Turkish. Our very reasonably priced room was decorated ala Turka as well (including a canopy over the double bed), though we nearly died hauling our luggage up three stories of a winding staircase. The desk clerk helped with my oldest friend's suitcase, but we hated to make him haul all our heavy luggage (we were leaving on a week-long trip to Cappadocia). An elevator would be a nice touch. After raving over our quaint ivy-draped balcony, we explored the hotel and were tickled to find hot... Read review

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Advantages: Istanbul is a very diverse city with endless cultural sights and beautiful landscapes. Food and nightlife are excellent and very different to the rest of Europe.
Disadvantages: Traffic is an absolute mess. It can be hard to find a park or green spot downtown. The souvenir dealers and "guides" in the touristic areas can be very annoying.

...you have crossed Galata Bridge, you enter a different world. No more great squares and splendid Ottoman architecture, instead there are small steep alleys, surrounded by medieval houses and remains of the old Genovese city walls. Indeed this quarter was built by Genovese salesmen in the 10th century and very much resembles a medieval European town. Half way up the hill to Beyoglu stands Galata Tower. This is my favourite spot in Istanbul, for it provides one of the most beautiful views in the whole world: a panoramic round view of the Bosphorus, the Marmara Sea, and the European and Asian parts of Istanbul. On a clear sunny day, you can see as far as to the Princes' Islands in the middle of the Marmara Sea. The view is most beautiful just before sunset, and you can finish your visit with a meal in the top floor restaurant, albeit... Read review

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