The Turkuaz is an old wooden mansion overlooking the Marmara sea. I recommend it for 1. friendly and helpful staff; 2. I like hotels that have seen better days; 3. location - 10 mins on foot from Sultanahmet and Aya Sofia, 5 mins the other way from Kumkapi; 4: wholesome tasty breakfasts of olives, yoghurt and cheese.

Don't stay here if you prefer anonymous international predictability.

If you'd like to stay in a authentic Ottoman home and not the usual tourist hotel, then come to the Turkuaz. Maria the Host is a very kind woman with much information on Istanbul. She will make you at home in this intimate hotel which only has a few rooms.The decorations are beautiful and authentic. The breakfast is amazing, it's international and Turkish at the same time. Our room was on the top floor which had a terrace that faced the meditaranean sea. We had a great time and at a walking distance from the blue mosque and the gran bazar. Each time we left and came back to the hotel we were greeted by it's other patrons which were a family of friendly cats.
erika and bruno

We stayed at the Turkuaz Hotel from May 28 to May 31, and it really is a good find. The hotel is located a few minutes walk to all the places of interest in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul. The staff was fantastic, the breakfast delicious, (they do feed you well there) the rooms, basic but comfortable. All in all, excellent value for money.

We arrived late at night, and I found the mattress was a bit uncomfortable. We informed the staff and this was promptly replaced. I have a bad back, and this could have ruined my holiday.

Maria, our hostess truly treats this not as a hotel, but as her home, which it is! And we were made to feel like their guests, not customers.

Surely recommend this hotel to anyone, and I would not stay anywhere else the next time I visit Istanbul!

Stayed in the Turkuaz for about a week based on a Lonely Planet recommendation. The interior is fantastically over the top. The pension owner is very friendly and helpful and the location is great in that its not located in the bustle of Sultanamet but is a very close walk to all the major sites. Breakfasts were wonderful.