A small hotel close to Taxim square and on the opposite side of the old part of Istanbul with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Istiklal Caddesi, which is a shopping, only walking with a tram, street with a lot of restaurants and bars/clubs is just around the corner.
Location 4/10:
This hotel is a bit of, if you want to be able to walk to anything that is worth seeing in Istanbul. Yes, taxis are quite cheap, but its also nice be able to sometimes just walk around a hotel, to get to know the neighbourhood and the local atmosphere. Istiklal Caddesi is just behind the hotel and it starts there and then you can walk your way up to Taxim Square. From there, you can take the train or a taxi. There is also a small tram to take along Istiklal, which is not that long. It takes approsimately 15 min up to Taxim. There were never any difficulties to find a taxi outside the hotel, nor for the taxi drivers to find this hotel neither. Just opposite is a very famous hotel from Agatha Chrisite and where she lived for a short while – Pera Palas. There are also two famous restaurants just around the corner that Swedish/Turkish chef; Memet Gürs owns, and they are among the top rated restaurants in Istanbul. Can’t remember the names, but ask in the lobby.
Lobby/Check-in 7/10:
Big lobby area with a long disk. Kind service and they spoke very good English, no problems what so ever. Not a lot of places to take a seat while you waited, but nothing major to complain about, just standard.
Room 4/10:
I have stayed here a few times, but this time was a bit of a disappointment and I could notice that the hotel had aged and that quality of the furniture is that that good. Had a view of house and the pool on the roof, which it did not look that they use that much and it could be nice to lay and sunbath there. The carpet was torn a bit in places with stains. It was cold in the room, which I commented on and they tried to fix it, but could not properly, but we did not bother to complain, it was just for a short time. The cleanliness was not the best, with hair left from either poor cleaning or from the maid. A very small TV, old style. Overall, not very good, but for the money; ok.
Restaurants 6/10:
Only had the breakfast bufé, which is very good. There are anything and everything you would want for breakfast, cold as hot, vegetables and fruits, and there were some Turkish specialties as well. The best part of the hotel.
- Yenisehir Palas Istanbul
- Hotel Yenisehir Palas
