Hotel suggestions and good area to stay in Istanbul

[Anonymous]

We stayed at the Hotel Empress Zoe when we visited in 1998: http://www.emzoe.com/main.html

It has a great location in the heart of Sultanahmet. At least 15 years ago, it was a really charming little hotel with very nice rooms in a good neighborhood. But it has been 15 years, so you may want to look up more current reviews.

[Anonymous]

We stayed in a small hotel in Sultanahmet near the Blue Mosque. Can't remember the name but it was not super fancy but great location, staff, and breakfast.

We toured on our own. Many sights are in that area so you can go on foot and we took a tram down to the water and it was not difficult to do. We also took public transport to Taksim...we were only there a few days also but it wasn't hard to figure out. Better than the taxis which are harrowing.

[Anonymous]

We found this to be a great web page for Turkey trip planning. From Sultanahmet, you can get to all the major sites by walking. One of the highlights was also taking a boat ride up the Bosphorous.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/

[Anonymous]

I am the PP who stayed at Hotel Angel's Home. We also heard of Hotel Empress Zoe but it was booked for our trip. We passed by and it looked good, and gets great reviews.

The only tour we took was of the Harem's Quarters in Topkapi Palace - a tour is the only way to get to see those areas, but you book it at the Palace. The rest of Istanbul and all the sights we saw on our own. Just read up in lots of guidebooks before going. If you stay in Sultanahmet, you will be able to walk easily to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Cisterns. A little longer walk or taxi will get you to the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar. A friend was traveling at the same time and we all met up with one of his local friends in Taksim one night - woah, that was crazy busy packed nightlife. I'm glad we stayed over in Sultanahmet since we weren't really looking for wild nightlife, just a chance to see all the beautiful sights. Another cool thing we did was to see the Whirling Dervishes at the train station where the Oriental Express starts. I can't remember the name, but you should be able to look it up easily. It was beautiful and a very special experience. When we were there it was every evening, for about an hour - you get the tickets at the train station.

Enjoy your trip!

[Anonymous]

did anyone go to a Turkish bath? any recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP who stayed at Hotel Angel's Home. We also heard of Hotel Empress Zoe but it was booked for our trip. We passed by and it looked good, and gets great reviews.

The only tour we took was of the Harem's Quarters in Topkapi Palace - a tour is the only way to get to see those areas, but you book it at the Palace. The rest of Istanbul and all the sights we saw on our own. Just read up in lots of guidebooks before going. If you stay in Sultanahmet, you will be able to walk easily to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Cisterns. A little longer walk or taxi will get you to the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar. A friend was traveling at the same time and we all met up with one of his local friends in Taksim one night - woah, that was crazy busy packed nightlife. I'm glad we stayed over in Sultanahmet since we weren't really looking for wild nightlife, just a chance to see all the beautiful sights. Another cool thing we did was to see the Whirling Dervishes at the train station where the Oriental Express starts. I can't remember the name, but you should be able to look it up easily. It was beautiful and a very special experience. When we were there it was every evening, for about an hour - you get the tickets at the train station.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the advise on Whirling Dervishes. I am absolutely looking forward to it. Will find out how to get the tickets for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:did anyone go to a Turkish bath? any recommendations.

There are 2 very famous old ones. We did Cemberlitas. It was quite an experience! Well worth it if you are not weirded out by being naked in front of strangers and if you can check your American germaphobe tendencies at the door. It's not unclean at all, quite the opposite, but it's very old and doesn't have that super-sanitized feel you might expect from a gym type place in the U.S. But really the bath is an essential part of the Turkey experience, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:did anyone go to a Turkish bath? any recommendations.

Yes. Definitely do it. It is our most-requested story from our trip and was quite an experience. Can't remember the name of the one we went to but it was a non-traditional one in the sense that couples could get their baths together. Men wore a little sarong thing and women wore a little cloth bikini top and mini sarong bottom. It was nice to get to relax with my husband.we get hysterical thinking about it though. They lather you up and toss water on you to rinse like my neighbor washing her dog in the driveway.

[Anonymous]

If you do the bath with a hangover, the hangover will go away....

[Anonymous]

I looked up the Whirling Dervish service we saw - it was at Sirkeci train station. This was probably the most touristy venue as it's the easiest to get to, but the space is peaceful and the music and service was so mesmerizing. This was about 7 years ago, so definitely check travel forum to get updated info.
There are other places to see them as well, including at a monastery I think; our trip didn't sync up with when that was available but that would have been great. If you go to the one at Sirkeci, purchase tickets at the train station and be sure to get there EARLY for the service. Seats are first come, first served, arranged in about 3 rows deep in a large U shape. Try to sit close to the musicians, as the instruments are fascinating. We were able to take non-flash photos. It was one of my favorite experiences among many special experiences in Istanbul!

[Anonymous]

Can you pick up a package for me?

[Anonymous]

We are going too! for 3 days. what are the must do things in Istanbul. Any good day trips close by?

[Anonymous]

We just got back from a GREAT week in Istanbul (with a daytrip to Ephesus) with our 3-year-old. If anyone has any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to ask. We stayed at the Arasta Boutique Hotel, which is right next to the Blue Mosque. I would recommend it.