Turkey Things - All About Turkey

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul but conflicted about where to stay, rest assured that Taksim remains one of the best options. Here's the answer to your why: Well, first things first, a good deal of must-go places in your list are located in the Taksim area. So, it is always convenient to stay at a place you are to explore anyway. Secondly, you have an option of shuttle transfer from both of the airports if you are to stay in Taksim which means you don’t have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a taxi. The shuttle fee is currently 2 dollars, if you ask me it’s a pretty good deal for an approximately 1-hour drive without the traffic. Not to mention, always be careful with taxis as they tend to rip off people. If you have other transportation options, it is wise to choose them instead. Other reasons to stay at Taksim include its unique architecture borrowing from Italian and Parisian style, a myriad of restaurants and cafes of good quality, various shop and boutique options, famous religious/historical structures as well as art centers. Last but not least, Taksim is a living place, guys, with its culturally diverse atmosphere. Any time of the day, it is always filled with a crowd that makes you feel alive too. Unless you prefer quieter places, this is your site! If you are convinced, let’s get started with our best options, you ready? 1 – Divan Hotel Istanbul We have started with one of the most renowned hotels in the area yet somehow it is not the most expensive one in the district. Divan Hotel is a hotel chain that has other branches across the country. The one in Taksim is widely preferred due to its perfect location and numerous facilities it offers. It is situated between Osmanbey (another widely visited area) and Taksim. Not only it is a bit far from the most famous and the busiest street in Taksim, Istiklal Caddesi, leaving a room for you to breathe occasionally, but also it is still close to the places you are likely to visit. It is approximately 6 minutes away from Taksim Square and the infamous Gezi Park where the protests took place a few years ago. The hotel has a magnificent view of the park and the city to say the least. It also provides various facilities including a spa center, an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi, 3 exquisite restaurants, a bar/lounge area, a gym, a terrace, airport transfer, and of course the Turkish Bath. Have I mentioned already that it is a 5-star hotel? Well, now you know it. It is an 11-story hotel with 191 rooms after all. As for rooms you have a couple of good options: Superior Room with a king-size bed, Superior Room with separate 2 twin size beds, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed, Deluxe Room with separate 2 twin size beds, Suit Room with a city view, Deluxe Room with separate 2 twin size beds and a park view, Superior Room with separate 2 twin size beds and a park view, Presidential Suite, and a connecting Family Room. Depending on the season, the day, and the room, the price per night varies, however, the minimum price for a night is approximately 135 dollars. Not to mention the hotel has very good reviews from its guests especially in terms of cleanliness and hospitality of the employees. It is preferred for business related trips as well since it offers the best kind of reception. Plus, the Divan Patisserie guys! It is really famous in the country, especially for its chocolates. You should definitely try it even if you don’t decide to stay in the hotel. You won’t regret it! Languages spoken: German, Arabic, French, Japanese, Turkish, English, Italian Address: Harbiye Mh, Asker Ocağı Cd. No:1, 34367 Sisli/Istanbul 2 – The Marmara Pera Another hotel chain, 4-star The Marmara Pera is a cheaper option for the Divan Hotel yet it is nothing short of luxurious. Between you and me, it has a nicer view of the sea as well. The terrace of the hotel is perhaps more famous than the whole place. It is further from the Taksim Square (16 minutes by feet), yet deep inside the Istiklal Street, closer to the Galata tower (9 minutes by feet). The hotel is located in a distinct area called Pera which is very central yet not as loud as the rest. This 17-story hotel has 205 rooms with minibars, air conditioners, televisions, safes for your valuables, iron and ironing boards (on request). You can also choose between Superior Room with a king-size bed and a sea view, Superior Room with a city view, Family Room, Suite, and Long Stay Special Offer. The price for the rooms varies yet the minimum price for a night is around 75 dollars. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants, a bar/lounge area, a terrace on the roof (with an amazing view), airport transfer, and a gym open for 24 hours. After a long and tiring day with intense city tours, this hotel will be a treasure to turn back to. Imagine watching Istanbul up above in the night illuminated with flickering lights. Ain’t it breathtaking? Languages spoken: Turkish and English Address: Asmali Mescit, Mesrutiyet Cd., 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul 3 – Sanat Hotel Pera Boutique By now, you must have realized that Pera is a good location to stay, right? Well, I can’t argue with that! Sanat Hotel Pera Boutique is only 8 minutes away from the Galata Tower and 15 minutes from Taksim Square. The thing is, Pera district is always convenient to stay in that you can easily walk across to Karaköy which is a good destination to explore in many different ways. Plus, you can always take the ferry from Karakoy to Kadikoy if you feel like exploring the Anatolian side as well. The hotel has 38 rooms, not as many rooms as the other hotels yet still offers a good deal of room choices as the following: Superior Room, Family Room, Standard Room with a city view, Penthouse Suite, Japanese Style, Standard Room with a courtyard view. The minimum price for a room per night is 47 dollars which is pretty convenient for a hotel room at the center of the city. It also provides a restaurant, bar/lounge area, a conference hall, airport transfer, laundry, dry-cleaning services, and of course free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s restaurant is of good quality as far as I’ve heard with good food and an equally good ambiance. If you don’t want to spend so much money on accommodation and if you are fine with smaller rooms and smaller spaces in general, this place is the one for you! Languages spoken: German, French, Russian, Turkish, English Address: Asmalı Mescit, Balyoz Sk. No:7, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul 4 – Ottopera Hotel Okay, before you say anything, I will admit that I may like Pera more than other districts. Ottopera Hotel is more like a cute apartment rather than a hotel. It is cozy, well-designed, and just adorable! Plus, it is very central, only 5 minutes away from Taksim Square and 7 minutes away from Istiklal Street. Really the perfect place to feel at home! 4-story with 14 rooms in total, you can choose between Superior Room with a king-size bed, Deluxe Room with a king-size bed, Standard Single Room, Single King or Separate Bed Room (in the basement), Deluxe Room with a single bed or a room with 2 separate beds on the terrace. The minimum price for a night is 18 dollars – ridiculously inexpensive! Facilities are not as many as the others, to be honest, but it is more than enough with concierge services, tour/ticket services, coffee service on the lobby, paid breakfast, daily floor services, airport transfer, and free Wi-Fi. Plus, the hotel has very good reviews on various websites. The staff is especially said to be friendly. The cleanliness of the hotel is another thing that is praised by many. This is surely one of the most budget-friendly options on the whole list. Languages spoken: Spanish, English, Turkish Address: Kocatepe, Feridiye Cd. No:95, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul 5 - Taksim Wooden House Hostel I had to include at least one hostel for those of you who are not really fans of hotels, especially backpackers love the whole hostel experience in their journey. So, I definitely chose the most recommended one for you. Taksim Wooden House Hostel is located in a nice neighborhood, 7 minutes away from Taksim Square and 25 minutes away from the Galata Tower. It gives services with 8 rooms in total. Your options for rooms are as the following: Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory, Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory, Bed in 2-Bed Dormitory with a balcony, and lastly Bed in 2-Bed Dormitory. The minimum price, on the other hand, is 17 dollars. You can benefit from daily floor services, reception open for 24 hours, coffee service on the lobby, free of charge continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a launderette. Pretty convenient for a holiday mostly spent outside anyway! Languages spoken: Russian, Ukrainian, English, Turkish Address: Kocatepe mah, Feridiye Cd. no 137/1, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul 6 – Taksim Nis Hotel We are still in the same area as the last 2 options, this hotel is also very much in the line of nice and cozy yet a little bit more colored for sure. In fact, it has a very eye-catching retro interior design. Taksim Nis Hotel is in the Taksim Square area, 6 minutes away from it to be specific. It has 17 hotel rooms of Superior Suites, Deluxe Suites, Deluxe Suites with a balcony, Family Suites with a terrace, Standard Single Room with a king-size bed, and a Standard Single Room. The minimum price of a room for a night is 29 dollars, slightly more expensive than the aforementioned hotels in the same area. Facilities include daily floor services, a restaurant, a gym, airport transfer, a garden, concierge services, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, coffee service on the lobby, and a launderette. Overall a good option indeed! Languages spoken: German, Arabic, Turkish, English Address: Kocatepe, Feridiye Cd. No:119, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul 7 - Pablo Di Pera Image Credit: B D @ Instagram Another Pera hotel, sue me! Pablo Di Pera, this small 9 room hotel, is situated in between the Galata Tower and Taksim Square. It is more like an efficient and modern apartment than it is a hotel. You have only 2 room options of Standard Single Room with a king-size bed and Superior Room. The minimum price per night is 17 dollars, literally the same price as our 5th option which is a hostel. Facilities include paid breakfast, floor services (on request), coffee service in the lobby, dry-cleaning or laundry service, concierge services, tour/ticket services, and free Wi-Fi. If you are looking for a comfortable stay without spending a lot of money, you can check this one out without hesitation. Languages spoken: Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish, English Address: Hüseyinaga, Buyuk Bayram Sk. no:12, 34345 Beyoglu/Istanbul 8 – Nine Istanbul Hotel This is the last one from Pera, I promise! To begin with, let me just say compared to its ridiculously inexpensive prices, this hotel is very highly rated which means very good service combined with a reasonable charge. Very close to Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, and the Galata Tower, Nine Istanbul Hotel is also a couple minutes away from the Pera Museum where you should visit if you are into art. It is right next to the British Consulate in a sophisticated neighborhood. The hotel has 9 rooms in which you have only one option – a very spacious Deluxe Single with a king-size bed. The minimum price of the room is 24 dollars. The rooms are up to date with modern and comfortable design. It provides a terrace on the roof, room service, airport transfer, concierge services, dry-cleaning or laundry services, tour/ticket services, and free Wi-Fi. Reviews of the hotel remarks that the proprietor is very friendly, the place is very tidy, and the neighborhood is safe and peaceful as much as it is central. Languages spoken: Russian, Turkish, English Address: Kamer Hatun mahallesi Beyoglu, 34435 Istanbul 9- Last but not least: The Grand Hotel de Londres Image Credit: istanbulapartmanlarii @ Instagram Couldn’t help but include this one over here as it is a treasure that still preserves the atmosphere of 1900s. With its one-of-a-kind view over the Golden Horn, The Grand Hotel de Londres promises a very different experience filled with nostalgia. The hotel is situated right in the middle of Istiklal Street, close to both the Galata Tower and the Taksim Square, basically anywhere you wish to go. It has 54 rooms in total and each one is characterized by a different theme: You can choose the Orient Express Room, Agatha Christie Room, and the Golden Horn (Haliç in Turkish) Room with a balcony. Each room is designed according to its historical theme and thus beware that infrastructure is almost as old as the décors of the rooms. Keep in mind that there might come up certain possible glitches to be perfectly frank. Image Credit: cemileuzg @ Instagram You can benefit from daily floor services, a restaurant and bar/lounge area, terrace on the roof, coffee service on the lobby, dry cleaning or laundry services, concierge services, free journal service on the lobby, and free Wi-Fi. If you are looking for a full experience of Istanbul dipped in its authentic history, this place is your cup of tea! Plus, even if you don’t stay there, please check out the terrace, dine there, have a coffee, just sit there, will ya? Languages spoken: English and Spanish Address: Mesrutiyet Caddesi. No: 53 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul Also, keep in mind that, in general, the check-in time for the hotels are 2 p.m. Identity card with a picture is most of the time necessary and you can only check-in by yourself if you are 18 and plus. Wherever you choose to stay, you will be surrounded by a crowd to which you probably are not accustomed. So, my advice is, pay attention to your valuables at all times. Also while choosing where to say, keep in mind that Taksim area is very charming and is always filled with different options to amuse yourself. Therefore, how luxurious the hotel is or how many facilities it provides are not that significant. You may even want to sleep on the streets as well, the day never ends there I’m telling you! Quick Remarks Also, keep in mind that, in general, the check-in time for the hotels are 2 p.m. Identity card with a picture is most of the time necessary and you can only check-in by yourself if you are 18 and plus. Wherever you choose to stay, you will be surrounded by a crowd to which you probably are not accustomed. So, my advice is, pay attention to your valuables at all times. Do not worry much about the distance as it might be highly subjective . To me and to most people living in Istanbul, 25-minute walk is basically nothing. Note that, Taksim area is very compact and most likely wherever you choose would already be very central. Not to mention, while choosing where to say, keep in mind that Taksim area is very charming and is always filled with different options to amuse yourself. Therefore, how luxurious the hotel is or how many facilities it provides are not that significant. You may even want to sleep on the streets as well (this is not recommended though), the day never ends there I’m telling you!

Recent Posts