Rooms are a bit stuffy, but overall fine. Good location right by the tourist sights. The staff are friendly, but one staff member was a bit 'too friendly' and inappropriately kissed us on the cheeks when putting our suitcases in the room, and touched me every time he walked past, making me feel rather uncomfortable.

Having stayed in Istanbul in 5* hotels I was quite shocked to find myself in what some travel sites have gradwed 2*. On pulling up I thought at first that the taxi driver was stopping for directions, not realising the hotel was next to us. It is situated on a main street and an alleyway. Inside I was not reassured by a small lobby, tired and uninspiring. On being shown to my room I was likewise less than unimpressed by tired furniture, poor wallcoverings and a bathroom that showed signs of poor workmanship. To find my double aspect room had windows overlooking the main road with lots of trams and traffic whilst the second aspect opened directly behind the outside bar, and I really mean the windows opened onto the area behind the bar, I could reach out my hand and get a beer if I wanted one, you could imagine how I felt having spent the last 18 hours travelling. However the restaurant/brakfast room was lovely, even though the breakfast was less than inspiringly presented. The quality of the breakfast was fine. The hotel staff were all excellent, working hard to make you welcome and feel your custom was valued, with no eye to tips etc. The location is fabulous for all of the main attractions of Istanbul (Sultanahmet area) meaning a stay of 3-4 days is all that is required. I found my initial concerns about the hotel fading away as the days passed and realised that actually it was clean, comfortable and run by people who wanted to make your stay a happy one. As my wife was joining me after 2 nights I moved out to a previous reservation paying twice the rate that I had been paying in the BW Sophia. The hotel, whilst lovely, was within 300 metres and had a smaller room. I hope this is not considered too negative a review because in all honesty if I was told I was staying there again on business I would be quite content.

People working at the Saint Sophia are very kind. However the Green Corner open air restaurant, just below the hotel windows, is very noisy: it closes about 11 or 12pm, but people keep cleaning it for the entire night. The sheets were clean but very old, with holes in them and the cleaning service not that good. Besides, to join the hotel with your luggage and a taxi is not that easy: not all taxi want to drive you there. But once you're in, the position is very good.

Location and service are the features here. Free airport pickup and answers to all your questions are a big help. One warning--this hotel is located on a fairly steep slope and may not be suitable for the less than able traveler. A great eatery called Ziya Kebab House is just down the hill. Another good place is the outdoor restaurant at the baths near the Blue Mosque.