This is a small, well located hotel - more like a guesthouse than a hotel, as it only has half a dozen rooms in the main building plus two apartments with are down the road (5 - 10 mins walk). We stayed in one of the apartments which was very nice - a great sea view which is a good way to appreciate Istanbul as one of the world's great harbour cities, and it also gives a bit more privacy than I imagine the main hotel would have. The hot water in the apartment ran out very quickly, but reheated equally quickly so was only a minor irritation (you might not notice if you're not one for long hot showers like me - or if you visit at a different time of the year, since it's usually hot in Turkey anyway).
As might be expected from such a small hotel, the owner takes a personal interest in every guest and he checked with us more than once that all was well. We were partly attracted to this hotel because it shows up on a Google as one of relatively few that are gay friendly, and our experience bore this out (they didn't bat an eyelid at two men sharing a double). The breakfast offered a good selection and they bring you fresh OJ (out of an orange, not out of a bottle).
Happy to recommend this place for anyone wanting a convenient central location to visit Istanbul.

My adult sons and I stayed at the Apricot Hotel twice during a recent visit to Turkey. Not only was it excellent value for the money, but the owner, Hakan was extremely helpful advising us about our trip to other parts of Turkey, for which we had not made plans. The hotel staff arranged transfers to and from airports for us. The Apricot is a small hotel, wonderfully located on a quiet street in the charming Sultanahmet district close to the Arasta Bazaar, the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque and within walking distance to Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace. Nearby there are many restaurants from which to choose and it's only a short walk to the efficient, modern tramline. Don't be put off that there is no elevator in the hotel. The hotel is only three stories high and the staff always help with the luggage. A buffet breakfast, which is included in the room rate, is served in the hotel lobby. A warm, cozy, comfortable and welcoming place.

We have spent many nights in the Apricot Hotel in the past five years. All of them have been excellent, and the month we spent there in November of 2011 was no exception. We like the spacious "two room" concept of Room One. We love the room arrangement, the comfortable bed and the luxurious and large bathroom.

Breakfast is simply outstanding. Orange juice is squeezed freshly for you when you arrive at the breakfast. There is a wide variety of breads, cheeses, meats and an excellent arrangement of olives. Add tomatoes and cucumbers, fresh eggs, yogurt, dried and fresh fruit and cereal and you have many breakfast choices. US guests will appreciate the brewed coffee, which is not easy to find in Istanbul.

I can not say enough about the staff of the Apricot. My husband was ill almost all of the time we were in Istanbul, and spent many days right in bed. He received better care from the staff of the hotel than he did in the ultra-modern hospital where he went when we returned from Istanbul.

Hakan, the owner, was very concerned for the welfare of my husband. He obtained medicine for him, and offered to take him to a doctor and/or hospital many times. He checked on our status several times each day.

The incomparable Ayse is just amazing. She prepares and serves breakfast, keeps all the rooms clean and tidy, and provides lots of hugs and smiles making you feel totally at home. In our case she took special care of my husband. She provided medication, and on several occasions brought food she had made at home that she hoped would tempt his appetite. On those days that we ventured outside she made sure he was warmly dressed, buttoning his coat and making sure he had on a hat. We could simply not have received warmer or more comprehensive service.

We arrived only a few hours after Lynn, a partner in the hotel, had passed away, and we all missed her vibrant personality. Fortunately, while the staff was grieving, there was no slip in the outstanding service.

We like Room One in the main hotel, but if I were able to walk a few more blocks I would look seriously at the Seaside Flats also offered by the Apricot. These little self-catering jewels have good sized balconies with outstanding views of the Sea of Marmara. The design and decoration of these rooms is exceptionally well done.

Because my husband was ill I did more entertaining in the lobby this year than ever before. The staff was gracious to all of my guests, providing beverages and cookies. Even if we stayed up very late there were no objections.

Much of the original hotel has received new wall paper, and the Wi-fi worked perfectly during all of our stay. I also appreciated the assistance of the young men who worked the night reception desk. They were very helpful in ordering meals delivered to me, and they even tracked down some "US style" chicken noodle soup.

Being ill on a vacation is not the way we would select to spend our time in Istanbul, but if one has to be ill, the staff at the Apricot could not take better care of you.

I simply cannot imagine a visit to Istanbul without staying in the Apricot.

Great location, Room, Service, and Breakfast.............