Stayed for two nights, got upgraded on arrival to a suite.
The rooms were huge with all the bids and pieces you
Would or could need. The beds are very comfortable
And everything was spotless. Our room had a big balcony
With great views over Istanbul. It’s a tourist hotel and the
Atmosphere is according. We enjoyed the breakfast
which was typical for the region. The hotel has got a restaurant,
but we did notice an absence of Alcohol that might be seasonal.
Taksim square is a 3-min walk; it leads to one of the longest
Shopping malls in the world with restaurants and bars.
The hotel staff was helpful and polite. It’s a comfortable
Hotel, good location and close to public transport.

The Central Palace Hotel is a quite nice hotel, but I never got the really nice feeling about it, it didn't feel very personal. The hotel is overall very clean and feels new.

(!) Beware about the hotel description on Bookings.com or other sites. For example they promise balcony in every room - which is not true.

LOCATION is very good, near the large shopping streets in Taksim area, but on a smaller and more quiet street. Nicer restaurants can be found just a couple of blocks away, smaller ones just nearby. Kiosk across the street.

ROOMS are large with a large bathroom, incuding what is called a "mini-spa" - a combined shower and thub which can be closed and used as a steaming sauna. Mine didn't work unfortunatley. Rooms includes private bathroom, TV, desk, telephone, mini-bar, in-room-safe, very comfortable beds.

BREAKFAST was a nice experience with varieties of fruits, vegetables, sweets, cheese, eggs, coffee/tea etc.

SERVICE is of regular turkish quality for a hotel of this class. Don't expect the staff to give you a smile or something though (according to my translator this is typical turkish behavior - even if I didn't like it - apparantley it comes to respect for the guest).

SAFETY 24 hour reception, monitored elevators and in-room-safe.

NO ALCOHOL is served at this hotel, nore can be found in the minibar.

+ Location - quiet, but close to the city center.
+ Good condition - feels new and clean.
+ Full service for business meetings.

- The so called "mini-spa" in each room was worn out totally.
- Restaurant service, not much to offer on the menu and no alcohol.
- Sour staff.

HOTEL
We stayed at The Central Palace Hotel (CPH) for 3 nights weekend just gone.

It was difficult researching Turkish hotels as a majority of them seem to have numerous positive ratings written by "guests" having only written one review! We were persuaded to stay at this hotel because of the hotel's inviting website. We were expecting it to be rather grand and majestic at the high room rates and but really was just a nice and clean basic hotel.

I was expecting to be overwhelmed for some reason, maybe because of the website presentation. However, our room was nice and clean, sheets were a bit bobbly and the quilt cover was of polyester mix. The decor was just okay.

Guests at the hotel were quiet and pleasant, I believe the rates must have been high due to a majority of them being wealthy Arabian families from neighbouring states.

The two tiny lifts were not enough to service the number of guests, as we would sometimes find ourselves waiting for up to 5 mins to get in to get up to the 10th floor.

Breakfast buffet was very basic. It was the first time we have ever experienced being told no toast at breakfast time. Again, expected a bit more at a €180 p/n tarriff. Very disappointing.

Forget the Jacuzzi, it was uninviting. It was a clever 90's style shower come jacuzzi pod in the bathroom, completely sealed, top included and claustrophobic. The tub was a bit murky so the premium and mention of Jacuzzi was unjustified.

Bathrobes, slippers and towels and other bathroom facilities clean.

Internet / WIFI was down the whole time we were there.

LOCATION
The location was great, just minutes from Taksim square, lively at all times! We returned at 4 on Saturday morning and 5 on Sunday and it was perfectly safe to return by a short walk from the main area of Istiklal Street. We spent an evening at Barabar, which is located off this street jam packed with further pubs, bars and restaurants with a street party feel with tourists and locals enjoying the vibe alike! They were even dancing on table and chairs on the pavements, it was great! I believe it was behind Cicek passage (a must - a really beautiful atomospheric arcade of very good restaurants also popular with locals) on Istiklal. There are good dance bars dotted all around.

We have no regrets staying on this side of town, Taksim is perfect if you're a night owl.

TRANSPORT
We were warned off taxis due to their rip off antics, but staying at CPH there is no need for taxis, the Finnicular is extremely easy to use for the one stop and then change for the Metro on the "old town" side - about a 20 minute journey in all. And cheap at 1.75 TRL. We did a day trip over to old town which was sufficient. But if you want an easy life, get the hop on and off bus from Taksim Square for 40 TRL.

TIPS
Don't get roped into invitations to bars without questioning drink prices first, we were told 15 TRL for first beer and then TRL5 thereafter! Needless to say we walked.

Check for extra charges before you even go into restaurants. They will give you water and charge around 6 TRL, we were happy to pay this but, would not be good if you were on a budget. One also planted a salad on our table and charged us 10 TRL + svc charge which we refused to pay as we did not touch it.

Don't have the stuffed mussels on the street - made me ill!

There is a grocery across the road from CPH where you can get water and any other supplies.

SUMMARY
In all don't expect too much from CPH and you won't be disappointed, try and find a better deal if you can and be very streetwise in Istanbul at all times.

Stayed 2 nights, service was outstanding, rooms are clean and welcoming, the bathrooms were a delight. The location in the middle of the Taksim district is handy to a range of restaurants and nightlife.

Breakfast is varied with a really good range of local foods, which are tasty and worth giving a try, particularly liked the honey straight from the honeycomb.

Cons: only 2 things that didn't please, first, rooms at the back of the hotel are subjected to an all night night club, the music reverberating through the room, this was on the 3rd floor might be better higher, no such problem at the front of the hotel (same floor).
Second, the 'hot' food at breakfast was at best lukewarm and one day just cold.