BookIt.com Verified Traveler J Jaconbson from Milaca, Mn

"While this hotel proudly markets its 'four stars', I would think three stars is more appropriate. The hotel is decorated with lots of marble and 'over the top' decorating and bridges on being somewhat gaudy for my tastes.

It is possible to walk to many of the key tourist areas from this hotel; but, you will quickly learn the nearby tram (M1) is inexpensive and help you make better us of your time in getting from one key tourist site to another.

This is a small hotel that has correspondingly small rooms. My room provided for no more than two feet of space around the bed. The bathroom was equally as small as you can wash your hands at the same time as using the sanitary facilities.

There is a charge for use of the 'Turkish Bath' on the lower level. What professes to be a holistic space, I found it quite ironic the staff sat around smoking in the lounge area. Mind you the hotel promotes itself being 'smoke free'.

Don't be surprised if you are jolted out of bed before the sun comes up when you stay at this hotel. Regardless of your religious beliefs, you will be called to prayers because of its proximity to a mosque just a block from the hotel. Mind you there are many mosques all over Istanbul and blast 'calls to prayer' via their load speakers high on their minarets and up to five times a day.

I would express caution for visitors to refrain from traveling further west from this hotel as the neighborhood becomes a little more 'dicey'. Always carry your wallet and money high and on the inside as pick pockets are live and well in the area. Their trick is to stand in front of you and pretend to faint and fall back into you. Of course a persons natural instinct is to help the person while that person is helping themself to the contents of your pockets."

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