Istanbul advice sought, please

[RooFlyer]

Scoping out a first trip to Istanbul and would appreciate any advice:

* How desirable is it to get a hotel in the Topkapi Palace / Grand Bazaar / Blue Mosque area (as opposed to elsewhere)? I'm inclined to use my Accor Plat status, but their closest hotel is across the Galata Bridge. I have no problems with the walk into the tourist areas, but it that advisable/feasible?

* If not the Accor, do people have recommended hotels? Looking for 4 to 5 star, with serenity inside top priority.

* Any referrals on personal tours of the city? (ie just me and the guider; foot +/- vehicle)

* How do the 2 airports IST and SAW compare for domestic and international flights? Should I prefer one over the other for ease of access from the city and facilities inside?

* Anyone have hotels they would recommend in Izmir or in the area?

* Any other tips for a n00b in Turkey? (I'll be reading the trip reports, but people are welcome to highlight theirs )

 

[amaroo]

1. IMO an absolute must! Location can't be beat, and when you factor in the horrendous Istanbul traffic - perfect.

2. FS Sultanahmet

3. Can recommend the guides that FS arrange

4. IST was very busy

5. .........

6. The TR details everything I know

 

[Ric]

3) Used Istanbul Walks for 2 tours; Dining the Turkish way and The Coffee Trail. Highly recommend them for the "local flavour".

http://istanbulwalks.com/turlar/istanbul-tours

 

[get me outta here]

Pick up an Istanbulcart (like an Octopus card), at the airport for using on all public transport including on the shuttle bus that goes from IST to Sultanhamet and Tahir Square where I stayed. But, I found myself continually having to travel over Sultanhamet and would stay there next time.

Can you get to the Goreme area to see the underground cities and do a ballon ride? I flew there on TQ, and can look up the 1 day tour I did if you can fit it in, and the 'underground' place I stayed in. I really enjoyed IST and Cappadocia.

 

[romney]

We will be in Turkey this time next week. Will come back with some info after our trip.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks Romney

For me .. its looking like FS in Istanbul. I really hope some-one can come up with an alternative suggestion so I don't have to mortgage the house!!

I'm now seeking suggestions on hotels or general advice for Izmir (Ephesus & district) visit and Cappadocia, please.

 

[Skyring]

There's any number of hotels in Sultanahmet. FS is probably the best, but there are dozens, and they are all pretty good and they all have rooftop restaurants with fabulous views.

Including the fabled Orient Hostel, which is about as daggy as you can get, but breakfast on the roof overlooking the Bosporus is sublime.

Be wary of shuttle buses arranged from touts at the airport. Cost you as much as a cab and you'll have to wait until either the bus is full or they get sick of your whining about having to wait.

Love Istanbul. The tulips are out now and it is glorious. Visit the Basilica Cistern across from Ayasofya (itself well worth a visit) for something special.

 

[dmitri]

I stayed at the 4 seasons bosphorus, one of the best hotels I've ever been to, close enough to get to the main attractions by cab and far enough away from them to miss a lot of the tourist scuffle. We went at the end of ramadan which was bat sh$t crazy as people were everywhere.

 

[Franky]

We have stayed a number of times at the Hotel Citadel (I think it is still a Best Western) and looks out over the Sea of Marmara which is a delightful way to have your breakfast each morning. There is the train line behind the hotel, but is not a hard walk to the other attractions on the Ismuth if you prefer. Be careful with the cabbies, anywhere in the city. Ask for a front room for the views.

 

[Ric]

If you want serenity (as in quiet) and easy access and a bit away from the main drag, try this one: www.sultanahmetpalace.com. It's nothing fancy like FS but you certaintly don't have to mortgage the house. 3 years ago it costs me €175 per night and it is right behind the Blue Mosque.
View from the hotel entrance


Between the entrance and the lobby



There's the small Arasta "Old bazzaar" Bazaar between the Blue Mosque and the hotel. Forget about the free breakfast at the hotel (rooftop of course and looking to the Bosphorus). Walk to the bazaar and turn right and have brekkie at the numerous local cafe. 5 mins walk tops! There's a stall that makes Spinach Gozleme (infront of you) that's the best I have eaten.
Left view taken at 7 am on May1


Right side where at the end you can savour the numerous cafes for breakfast, meals, shisa at night and watch the Dervish dances!!



Ask for a front room facing the Blue Mosque.
Don't worry about the calls to prayers in the morning.....never heard it.
View from room at night


Ephesus Tours, Ephesus excursions#_=_
Can highly recommend Ephesus Tours by OTTI Travel
Ask for Guide Banu. She is great!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ric

 

[Katie]

For me .. its looking like FS in Istanbul. I really hope some-one can come up with an alternative suggestion so I don't have to mortgage the house!!

We stayed at some kind of half B&B half hostel near the Four Seasons before Anzac day 2005. Fine enough, bit that same trip we slept on a blow-up mattress in my sister's Chelsea flat ...
Had breakfast on the rooftop each morning, lovely!!

 

[Foreigner]

In the news today...

For OP, the US has issued travel warning of credible threats against tourists - particularly in Istanbul.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sure; and DFAT has changed its advice for Istanbul to "Reconsider your need for travel".

I've reconsidered, and I'm still going!

 

[Mattg]

I've stayed both near the major tourist attractions and the Galata bridge. The former is clearly preferable, but I had no issues with staying near the Galata bridge. The walk into the main attractions was pleasant, and there are frequent trams that can take you there if you'd prefer not to walk. There's also plenty of other things to see in the area.

Regarding IST vs SAW, I think IST would be an obvious preference. It's bigger and much easier to get to from the city centre (including by a convenient metro service). IST is also home to a fantastic TK lounge (if you're flying Star Alliance).

 

[RooFlyer]

I've stayed both near the major tourist attractions and the Galata bridge. The former is clearly preferable, but I had no issues with staying near the Galata bridge. The walk into the main attractions was pleasant, and there are frequent trams that can take you there if you'd prefer not to walk. There's also plenty of other things to see in the area.

Regarding IST vs SAW, I think IST would be an obvious preference. It's bigger and much easier to get to from the city centre (including by a convenient metro service). IST is also home to a fantastic TK lounge (if you're flying Star Alliance).

Thanks Mattg .. that's sorta what I was hoping (wanting!) to hear.

I've tried hard to get to the TK lounge at IST ( I guess you mean international?). For a while I was flying TK to Bulgaria for a quick look, but that had to go. Alas I'm flying out of Turkey via QR and the flight I have to take is out of SAW I'm using IST for a domestic flight ... would the TK domestic lounge be much chop.

Re hotels, my first preference is Accor - but all their hotels are out of the tourist core. If you see the Novotel, just a bit off the bridge, would you think that was walk-able into town? I'm quite Ok with walking a km or so to start the day. I'm guessing at that point the trams would be pretty crowded.

 

[get me outta here]

That Novotel IST Bosphorus is quite close in and not too far a walk, and it's interesting to take a different walking route each day as there are lots of things to see. Apart from walking SSW to some of the places to visit, you will probably also explore the laneways and roads just north of the Novotel location.

Up around Taksim SQ where the other two hotels are on the map is not a convenient position.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Sure; and DFAT has changed its advice for Istanbul to "Reconsider your need for travel".

I've reconsidered, and I'm still going!

Just wondering what your travel insurance thinks of your decision.... considering DFAF advice??

 

[kpc]

Just wondering what your travel insurance thinks of your decision.... considering DFAF advice??

Only a "Do not travel" DFAT warning will invalidate your travel insurance.

 

[turtlemichael]

No one has really commented on Izmir. We stayed at both the Hilton and the Swissotel and the latter was a quantum leap better. This is a couple of years ago and I understand the Hilton has now had some renovations. We enjoyed slightly seedy Izmir particularly the waterfront and had a couple of superb seafood dinners. Are you planning to go to Pergamon and/or Ephesus ? These are two of our all time travel highlights.

 

[Skyring]

Re hotels, my first preference is Accor - but all their hotels are out of the tourist core. If you see the Novotel, just a bit off the bridge, would you think that was walk-able into town? I'm quite Ok with walking a km or so to start the day.

Eminently walkable, and quite a pleasant one. The Galata bridge is two levels, with a row of seafood restaurants along the bottom - some of the most pleasant meals of my life have been taken there, looking out on the Golden Horn, the hills of Asia across the water, the great mosques, the ferries bustling about, and the fisherfolk on the level above hauling in sardines. All with fish cooked to perfection, a golden Efes beer to wash it down.

Walk up to Sultanahmet through lanes, past the station where the Orient Express comes in, pastry shops with the most amazing sweet morsels, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, old houses and temples. It is full of atmosphere. Just ignore the touts who want to sell you carpets and things.

The Topkapi Palace is well worth a half-day, and if you miss AyaSofya, which for centuries was the biggest building in the world, you have no sense of romance. This time of year, the tulips will be out. Turkey is where tulips come from, not the Netherlands.