We just stayed 3 nights at this older, but well kept hotel. It was located in the Taxsim area,so we had a ball walking around that area. It was also very close to the tram, cable car and metro, so we could get anywhere in Istanbul easily. We did not want to stay in the more " touristy" area of Sultanamet.. And we were so happy with our choice.
We found the employees very nice and helpful and the free breakfast was very nice.

The location of the hotel is just perfect, so close to Taxim square.
Compared to other hotels of the area, rooms at Varda hotel are offered at reasonable prices.
My room was very spacious, clean and quite. Breakfast was ok with a good variety of food.
The negative point was the staff, that could not hide boredom resulting quite unfriendly.
Recommended for the location.

I really don't like the hotels which pretend to be better than they are. Usually hotel shows one star too much, but in the case of Vardar hotel it's rather two stars. I didn't take my time to read the reviews before booking the room in this hotel - I fought 4 stars should be enough. On arrival, when I've seen the bathroom, my first idea was to move to another hotel. Finally I had no time to organize this.

Positive points: convenient location, close to main Istiklal street, the room is fairly clean and sufficiently equipped (as for a three star hotel).

Negative points: the bathroom is extremely small, the "shower" is constructed of three walls in the corner with the door and to enter to it you need to jump over toilet pan (see photo). Apparently all the bathrooms are like this, according to hotel's staff. Room equipment is quite old, the picture in the TV is so snowy that you can hardly watch it. The street is very noisy during all the night. Breakfast: six small tables in a very small room without window, a small choice of products, drinks: instant coffee, orange "fluid", ...

If you're looking for a budget hotel in a good place then you may stay there, but be warned.

In a city full of polite, friendly people, Vardar somehow manages to employ the grumpiest people around. Stay here only if you don't want any tourist advice - like how to get somewhere. The staff refuses to answer even basic questions or help in any way.
However, if you already know your way around this awesome city, stay here. It's clean, the rooms are spacious and the location is extraordinary.
One more thing: Don't let them call you a cab to the airport. Get your own. Staff made sure a friend of theirs drove us. He took a roundabout way, costing twice what it should have, and then pretended that one of the bills we gave him was a 5 lira, instead of 50. Avoid the staff at all costs.