Crowne Plaza ISTANBUL - OLD CITY by IHG

Excellent hotel, we stayed in June. The service was superb, everything was clean, and the staff was friendly.

This hotel, with its century-old history, offers rooms that aren't huge, but they are immaculately clean and well-maintained. The service experience is top-notch; the staff are incredibly friendly and you can easily communicate with them using a translation app. It definitely meets a five-star standard, even exuding a touch of old-money charm, so you can check in with confidence. Its biggest advantage is the location – it's very close to the Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, both easily reachable on foot. The surrounding commercial area is well-developed, and there's even a Lanzhou Lamian restaurant a few hundred meters away, which is a great option for varying your meals during your trip.

Excellent and close to the metro.

The location is fantastic, within walking distance of all the must-see attractions. The room wasn't huge, but it was clear the management is very professional; every detail seemed to follow a specific process. The breakfast was also excellent, with plenty of variety, and the window view was lovely. If I had to mention any downsides, it would be that the reservation couldn't be changed after booking, and rooms near the restaurant can be a bit noisy in the mornings.

The location is a bit out of the way, not near the bustling Hagia Sophia or Istiklal Avenue. The main issue was that we arrived at 3 AM. During check-in, we confirmed with the front desk that we needed a smoking room. However, after the lobby boy led us to the room, he told us smoking wasn't allowed. We had to call the front desk again to clarify, wasting another 15 minutes in back-and-forth communication. Ultimately, we had to compromise and switch rooms. Plus, my parents' room wasn't even on the same floor as mine. However, I'm very grateful for the bellhop's help and detailed explanations. It's a shame we arrived at the airport too late that day and didn't have cash for a tip.