Stayed here for a few nights over the peak months of summer 2010 & it was extremely chaotic -- this probably is the busiest hostel I've ever been to. The lobby is too small for the amount of people they try to accomodate. I guess that's just goes to show how popular this hostel is to travelers. The price point was an advantage - I believed I paid about $10 for an 8-bed dorm room. The rooms are small, but for the price I paid, I ain't complaining. There's a storage room where you can leave your bags if you decide to go on tours to Ephesus, Troy & beyond. Fortunately, my bags were still there when I returned. They also have an airport shuttle that you can book in the front desk - pretty convenient. The biggest plus for this hostel was the location. It can not be beat. There were other hostels along the same street, but Orient combines cheap + central. The hostel is a 5-minute walk from Old Istanbul, where you have access to the major highlights, including the magnificent Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque. The tram stop is also around the corner. If shopping is your hobby, the Grand Bazaar & Spice Market are probably a 10-minute walk away. I, however, have to caution people that this is not a hotel so this place is not at all luxurious/relaxing. Istanbul is one of my top cities in the world, and this hostel gives budget travelers an opportunity to see this brililant city without breaking the bank.

Very nice people..helpful ... the hostel is in the city centrum. Service - very good

The hostel is in a great location, rooms are cozy and clean, beds are comfortable, and the price is ridiculous compared to what you can get here. The real value of the hostel is the facilities (great view from terrace, 2 bars, good breakfast, clean bathrooms), but mainly the staff itself. The guys are more than friendly and helpful, they provide you all the information you need, they help to arrange your trips if you require, and they treat you with love and respect still in an easy-going way. They are not only managing the hostel, but making efforts to make a community out of the people who are staying there for a few days. We spent 7 nights, and I hope we will go back to Istambul once, as it is a great city, and there is no question, that Orient Hostel will be the only possible accomodation.

Orient Hostel is the perfect place to stay in Istanbul; it is the place where I came back all the time with emotion and pleasure.
Why I keep returning here YEAR BY YEAR? I can say there are reasons more emotional that rational… here I found the place where I felt myself, here I found friends ready to give a hand when I needed, here I found the best atmosphere, here I found everything I was searching for.
Keywords that define the Orient Hostel and made me chose all the time this place:
HOSPITALITY – hospitality is a real characteristic of staff team. You will feel by yourself Turkish hospitality, you will be impressed.
COMFORTABLE place - it is in the city center where you can find places of interest and main attractions. You will find cafes, restaurants, bars and shops in the area.
FRIENDLY HOSPITABLE TEAM – at Orient Hostel you will FEEL YOURSELF as comfortable AS AT HOME and here you can find always people ready to help you.
CLEAN AND COMFY - Orient Hostel staff tries to keep the place clean and comfy, offering good quality services. Also, the staff team can help you with the solving of problems in organization of your travel details (transfers, tickets booking, trips around Turkey etc.)
PRICE IS REALLY AFFORDABLE - there is a balance quality of services and price.

I visited Istanbul one month before and I already miss the staff team, the place and all the specific atmosphere of Orient Hostel.