Paris Hotel&Hostel, Istanbul

When we stayed at the Paris Hostel and Hotel in Istanbul it was at the end of a three month circular trip and we wanted to try some different accommodation to the place we’d stayed at some fourteen weeks earlier. A week before we were due to arrive back in Istanbul we did an online search for something suitable and found the Paris H&H.

I have no idea why it’s called "hostel AND hotel". Maybe they think a dormitory means ...
...is plain and simple accommodation with very few, if any, frills. It is hostel standard, or one or two star standard in hotel-speak. Had we known then just how much money we had left at the end of the trip, we’d have spent more, isn’t hindsight great?

The hostel is in a very useful location in the Sultanahmet district approximately halfway between the Grand Bazaar and the Aghia Sophia. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants and even ... more

When we stayed at the Paris Hostel and Hotel in Istanbul it was at the end of a three month circular trip and we wanted to try some different accommodation to the place we’d stayed at some fourteen weeks earlier. A week before we were due to arrive back in Istanbul we did an online search for something suitable and found the Paris H&H.

I have no idea why it’s called "hostel AND hotel". Maybe they think a dormitory means a hostel and private rooms mean a hotel? Anyway, this is plain and simple accommodation with very few, if any, frills. It is hostel standard, or one or two star standard in hotel-speak. Had we known then just how much money we had left at the end of the trip, we’d have spent more, isn’t hindsight great?

The hostel is in a very useful location in the Sultanahmet district approximately halfway between the Grand Bazaar and the Aghia Sophia. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants and even a supermarket nearby. The nearest tram stop is Cemberlitas about two minutes walk away.

We booked online directly with the hostel through their website and there were no problems with our booking. When we arrived they had our booking details ready. The hostel occupies a corner site and it wasn’t immediately evident where the main entrance was but walking right to the end of the building revealed its whereabouts. Our room was up three flights of stairs; it was August and after a day pounding the pavements of Istanbul I did not look forward to climbing those stairs in the late afternoon at siesta time. There was one more floor above ours so there weren’t many people having to pass our room. However, those who had rooms on our floor were not very considerate. I think part of the problem may have been that because the rooms are so small, people would talk on the landings instead of cramming into a room.

The room was tiny and contained just enough room to walk round a double bed. There was a narrow wardrobe in the corner and we had to stack our rucksacks in there as there was no other space for them.

The room looked out onto the roof tops of neighbouring buildings. We had the window open all the time in an attempt to get some air into the room – there is no air conditioning and there were no electric fans. For me this was the worst thing about this accommodation. Had I been more comfortable I wouldn’t have minded the cramped room so much. The en suite bathroom was tiny but adequate even if it did feel like a sauna by mid afternoon. Within minutes of taking a shower you’d want another one again. There were no issues with cleanliness and everything was in good repair.

Breakfast was included in the price and was served downstairs in a light and airy dining room. Everything was laid out buffet style and a staff member came to your table with tea and coffee. There were cheeses, tomatoes and cucumber, olives and boiled eggs as well as bread, simits (rings of bread topped with sesame seeds) and delicious honey and slices of pineapple which were beautifully juicy. You could have as much as you wanted so it was a good start to the day.

The hostel has a small and dark "bar" which doesn’t stay open late and which we didn’t use. We preferred to bring home a couple of bottles of Efes and drink them on the terrace which has brilliant views over the Sea of Marmara. You can dry laundry on the clothes lines on the terrace if you need to.

The wood panelled lounge is comfortable enough though it’s unlikely you’d spend much time in there. It was often used at breakfast time as people who smoked sat there and watched television news with a coffee as smoking is not permitted in the dining room itself.

Opposite reception is a small room in which Ataturk looks down on you from the wall as you use the Internet. Access is free for up to fifteen minutes per day but the connection was erratic.

This is quite a homely hostel in some respects; there are lots of traditional carpets and rugs and woven throws over the chairs and hanging from the walls. It’s a little down at heal but in a nice way, I don’t mean that it is falling to bits!

The staff were friendly and efficient and willing to help. They booked places on the minibus to the airport for us and insisted on carrying my rucksack when the minibus arrived. There are lots of leaflets on where to go and what to do in the foyer and the hostel can arrange discounts on some activities.

I would certainly stay here again though definitely not in the height of summer. The rooms were basic but adequate and I was happy with the level of cleanliness. The location is excellent being so close to many of the major sights.

A double room in the high season currently costs 18 € per person per night. However the prices differ depending on the season and there are dormitory beds as well as single, triple and quad rooms so do check the prices on their website.

Finally I would like to apologise for two uncouth (and inebriated on raki) Brits flinging washed out underwear out of the window on the last night of the stay. Having handwashed those smalls for three months we didn't want ever to see them again - and besides, we needed the rucksack space for souvenirs!

Piyerloti cad. Dizdariye Medresesi Sk. No: 9/11 Cemberlitas Istanbul

+90 212 518 9820  

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