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Sultanahmet, without a doubt, is the ultimate place to stay if you are to visit Istanbul. You might wonder why, in that case, let me enlighten you before we start our hotel hunt. First and foremost, it is where Istanbul’s unequaled history from the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman, from the fall of the city to its golden age continues to live. It is the home of the Sultans and the rest of the courtiers after all. There is no better place to travel in time, you see. Secondly, the places you’ve heard about and come to see are located here. To be clear, I’m talking about Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, and many more. Thus, it is always wise to stay nearby to keep your money and time in your pocket. Last but not least, the neighborhood itself is nice to stay. You can drink your cup of tea with a breathtaking view every morning. Sultanahmet really equals the full experience of Istanbul. I don’t think you need further persuasion, just look at already these gorgeous accommodation options, will ya? 1 – Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul, Curio Collection by Hilton Image Credit: Onurhali @ Instagram Our list starts off with the most luxurious ones. Hagia Sofia Mansions is surely an eye-candy for its location, facilities, and hospitality. This high-rated 5-star hotel is only 3 minutes away from Hagia Sofia (where it takes his name duh) and 4 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern. It has 78 rooms with 10 different choices: Room with a king-size bed, Junior Suite with a king-size bed, Suite (Ottoman), Room with a king-size bed (favorable for the diasbled), Suite (Hagia Sophia), Superior Room with a king-size bed, Suite (Topkapı), Suite (Hurrem Sultan Mansion), Junior Suite with 2 separate beds, and Superior Room with 2 separate beds. Image Credit: lilidesignltd @ Instagram The rooms have a very unique style – a modern touch seasoned with oriental décor. Rest assured you will definitely feel like a 21st-century sultan in your modernized palace. Not to mention, it has a beautiful garden which makes dining there super pleasant! The price for a night is highly changeable yet the minimum price is roughly 100 dollars. The facilities include daily floor services, a restaurant (very good one indeed), an indoor pool, paid breakfast, spa services, a garden, free Wi-Fi, and a free parking lot. Languages spoken: Turkish and English Address: Cankurtaran, Sultanahmet, Kabasakal Cd. No:5, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 2 - GLK Premier Sea Mansion Suites and Spa Image Credit: turkeyhotels @ Instagram Our second option might be less luxurious than the first, but it is definitely as appealing. In fact, you will fall in love with its magnificent view of the sea. Don’t you want to gaze at the sea Suleyman the Magnificent gazed at a couple of centuries ago? GLK Premier Sea Mansion Suites and Spa is located at the center of Sultanahmet as well. It is 9 minutes away from Hagia Sophia and 10 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern. It is not far from the Grand Bazaar either, only 13 minutes away. This 4-story hotel has 28 rooms, and thus the ultimate "feel at home" place for you. You have a couple of options for the room as well: Annex Family Suite with a sea view, Deluxe Suite with a sea view, Annex Superior Room, Superior Room with a sea view, Connected Suite, Junior Suite, Executive Suite with a balcony and sea view, and Family Suite. Image Credit: yod_chaiyod @ Instagram The price per night depends on the season and the day as well as the room choose, however, one night roughly costs 104 dollars. You can benefit from daily floor services, a restaurant and bar/lounge area, a health club, spa services, airport transfer, (paid) babysitter, coffee service in the lobby, a gym, a garden, a library, and free Wi-Fi. Not to mention, the hotel has very good reviews on various prestigious websites. The staff is said to be very friendly and helpful, the rooms are clean and comfortable and the location is just perfect! Languages spoken: German, Arabic, Russian, Turkish, English Address: Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi, old city, Mustafapaşa Çk. No:9, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 3 - Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel Image Credit: babytreetrunk @ Instagram Yet another 5-star legend in the area, Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel mesmerizes its guests with its elegance from the moment they step inside. It is only 3 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern and 11 minutes away from the Topkapı Palace. It is also quite close to other must-visit places in the area. This hotel is literally giant with 232 rooms which means you have quite a lot of options to choose from: Superior Room with a king-size bed, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed, Penthouse, Family Room, Standard Room with a king-size bed, Connecting Room, Loft Room, Family Suite with a garden, King Suite, Standard Room for 3, Standard Room with 2 separate beds, Superior Room with 2 separate beds, Deluxe Room with 2 separate beds, Economy Room with a king-size bed (basement), and Economy Room with 2 separate beds (basement). As you can tell from these numerous options for a room, the price also varies immensely. The average price per night is roughly 91 dollars. The rooms have a luxury concept, yet the style is pretty minimalistic. It surely promises you a relaxing time after a long tiring day on the city tour. On top of it all, the breakfast of the hotel is highly praised. You have also quite a lot of facilities that you can use including daily floor services, a restaurant and bar/lounge area, paid breakfast, seasonally open pool, spa services, airport transfer, (paid) babysitting in the room, terrace on the ground floor, coffee service on the lobby, a garden, Turkish Bath, free Wi-Fi and free parking lot. Languages spoke: German, Arabic, French, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Italian Address: Alemdar, Ticarethane Sk. No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 4 – Erten Konak If you feel like having a taste of the olden times, Erten Konak offers you the full experience. This place is a mansion turned into a boutique hotel; therefore, it is smaller and cozier than the rest with a nostalgic feeling. It is 6 minutes away from the Blue Mosque and 8 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern, pretty central like the aforementioned hotels. This 4-star hotel has only 16 rooms on its 4 floors. You have limited options for the room as well, yet, each one is one of a kind! You can choose between Deluxe Room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds, Standard Room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds, Economy Room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds and Superior Room for 3. Each room was decorated with an exquisite taste, to say the least. You can’t help feeling like you are having your best life in the glorious past of this heart-melting city! With its ornamented yet simple furniture, the touch of gold and wood, it is really the ultimate back-to-the-past place. Plus, the hotel has a legendary winter garden where you can enjoy your meal! The best news is it is ridiculously inexpensive compared to what it offers. The minimum price for a night is approximately 32 dollars. Very good deal, indeed! As for facilities, you can make use of daily floor activities, restaurant and bar/lounge area, airport transfer, terrace on the ground floor, coffee service on the lobby, safe for your valuables on the lobby, free of charge breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. Between you and me, this is one of the best choices on the whole list, if not the best. Languages spoken: Farsi, French, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish Address: Sultan Ahmet, Akbıyık Cad, Akbıyık Değirmeni Sk. No:8-10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 5 - Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel Continuing with yet another 4-star hotel, Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel is the definition of efficient. Not only it is beautifully designed but also every touch serves a purpose it seems. The hotel is located at a safe distance from the crowded Sultanahmet square, 9 minutes away from Hagia Sofia, and 10 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern. It has 108 rooms and gives you 5 choices: Standard Single Room, Standard Room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds, Superior room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed, and Standard Room for 3. The minimum price per night is 52 dollars, pretty reasonable for a hotel that is equipped with numerous services. Facilities include daily floor services, restaurant and bar/lounge area, a terrace on the roof, coffee service on the lobby, a library, safe for your valuables on the lobby, dry cleaning and laundry services, a conference room, free of charge breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking lot. Languages spoken: German, French, Russian, Turkish, English Address: Cankurtaran, Ahırkapı Cd No:24, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 6 - Senatus Hotel Yet another efficient hotel in our list, Senatus Hotel offers you a splendid experience at the center of Sultanahmet. The hotel is 7 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern and 6 minutes away from the Blue Mosque. Here you don't need to worry about transportation either! This 4-story hotel gives services with its 28 rooms, however, your options for the room is not that limited as you might anticipate. You can choose Deluxe Room, Junior Suite, King Suite, Room with a king-size bed (basement), Executive Family Suite, Family Room with shower on basement, Double Room with a double bed, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed and a balcony. The rooms are up-to-date and very spacious. The interior design is pretty modern with an oriental touch that reminds you where you are – the bridge between the West and the East. The minimum price for a room per night 52 dollars. However, keep in mind that the price is subjected to change due to various reasons. You are in luck as you can benefit from numerous services in the hotel: Daily floor services, restaurant and bar/lounge area, (paid) babysitting in the room, safe for your valuables on the lobby, dry-cleaning and laundry services, concierge services, tour/ticket services, free of charge breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Not to mention, this is a really high-rated hotel. The staff are especially friendly, the rooms are clean and tidy. The breakfast is always delightful. Plus, it is a boutique hotel which means that you will have a space to escape from the city’s crowd. Languages spoken: Turkish and English Address: Cankurtaran, Akbıyık Cd. No:40, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 7 - Hotel Alilass Another boutique hotel, are we surprised here? But believe me, you will love how minimalistic and adequate it is! Hotel Alilass is very central like the rest of the hotels on the list, only 5 minutes away from Sultanahmet Square and 7 minutes away from Hagia Sophia. This 3-story hotel has only 22 rooms. Even though your options are comparatively restricted here, each one is meticulously designed for you to feel at home. You can choose between Superior Room either with a king-size bed or 2 separate beds, Standard Room with a king-size bed, Standard Room with 2 separate beds, and Deluxe Room with a king-size bed. The minimum price for a night is roughly 39 dollars. Facilities include daily floor services, a bar/lounge area, (paid) parking lot, airport transfer, a terrace on the ground floor, coffee service on the lobby, dry-cleaning and laundry services, concierge services, free of charge breakfast, free Wi-Fi. Plus, it has a nice garden where you can have quality time after a tiring day. Sounds interesting? Hotel Alilass means in essence, good services, friendly staff, and great hospitality! Languages spoken: French, Turkish, English Address: Cankurtaran, Bayram Fırını Sk., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 8 – Osmanhan Hotel I didn’t forget about those of you who are traveling on a strict budget either! This 3-star hotel not only will keep your money in your pocket but also will provide comfortable accommodation for you. Osmanhan Hotel is located only 5 minutes away from Sultanahmet Square, 8 minutes away from the Basilica Cistern. This 4-story hotel has only 7 rooms which makes it more of an apartment than a hotel. You can choose between Room with a king-size bed, Room for 3, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed, Room with a king-size bed (basement). The facilities consist of daily floor services, room service on designated hours, airport transfer, terrace on the ground floor, coffee service on the lobby, car renting in the hotel, safe for your valuables on the lobby, dry-cleaning, and laundry services, free of charge breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking lot. The minimum price for a night is roughly 37 dollars, a good deal for a place of good quality indeed! Languages spoken: Bulgarian, French, Japanese, Turkish, English Address: Akbiyik Caddesi, Çetinkaya Sk. No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul 9 - Cozy Garden Hostel Image Credit: Mahsun Oktan @ Instagram Last but not least, I had to include the most recommended hostel in the area to make the least more budget-friendly. Believe me, Cozy Garden Hostel is nothing short of a hotel in terms of its facilities and the comfort it promises. It is 10 minutes away from the Blue Mosque and 12 minutes away from Hagia Sofia. The hotel is slightly further from Sultanahmet Square compared to other places on the list. However, it is still pretty close. On the bright sight, it is closer to other renowned places. Like our 8th option, this hostel has only 7 rooms with a few options including Standard Room with a private bathroom, Shared Room with bunk beds, Mixed Room with bunk beds and a shared bathroom for 2, 4 and 6; and Shared Room with bunk beds and a shared bathroom for 6 (women only). The minimum price for a room per night is 14 dollars. You can also benefit from daily floor services (on request), dry-cleaning and laundry services, concierge services, tour/ticket services, lockers, and free Wi-Fi. Although it is as small as a regular house, this hotel is highly praised due to its hospitality, comfortable and equally tidy rooms, and its safe neighborhood. The owner is especially said to be super friendly! Languages spoken: Russian, Turkish, English Address: Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi, Küçük Ayasofya cad, medresesi sok No 3/2, 34093 Fatih/İstanbul Departing Notes: Please keep in mind that the prices are subject to change due to season, day, and fluctuating exchange rate. Generally, check-in time for the hotels is 2 p.m. and you are expected to have an identity card with a photo of yours. Needless to say, you can't check-in by yourselves unless you are 18 and above. Sultanahmet district is really easy to travel as there are a tramway line and various busses to make use of. So, no worries, you can go far from there as much as you want!

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