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Istanbul's
two main hotel districts, Sultanahmet and Beyoglu,
are a 15-minute, US$6 taxi ride
apart. There are also hotels north
of the city center on the Bosphorus.
SULTANAHMET
HOTELS
If you're coming to Istanbul primarily
for sightseeing, Sultanahmet
Square is your most convenient
choice.
From
its hotels, inns, pensions and hostels
it's an easy few minutes' walk to
the major
sights in historic Old Istanbul ("Stamboul")
including the Hippodrome, Topkapi
Palace, the Blue
Mosque, and Ayasofya.
Lodgings
are in all price ranges,
from cheap
hostels to five-star
luxury,
with most being charming
mid-range inns. Details...
HOCAPASA
HOTELS
Just down the hill from Sultanahmet is
the district of Hocapasa (HOH-jah-pah-shah),
often called Sirkeci because it's
between Sultanahmet and Sirkeci
Railway Station.
Hocapasa has
recently been redeveloped into a hotel
area with more than a dozen
lodging-places in all price ranges.
Because they are not as well known
as those in Sultanahmet, prices
tend to be lower. Details...
BEYAZIT
HOTELS
Beyazit
Square, dominated by the
lofty gates of Istanbul University and the minarets of the imperial
Beyazit mosque, is right next to
the Grand Bazaar and the Old
Book Bazaar, and only a 12-15 minute walk
along Divan
Yolu from Sultanahmet,
even quicker by tram. Prices
are lower here, too. Details...
BEYOGLU
HOTELS
The Beyoglu district
north of the Golden
Horn, formerly called Pera, is the more
modern part of the city. Most of it was built during
the 19th and 20th centuries around Taksim
Square and Istiklal
Caddesi (the Grande Rue de Péra).
It has more and better cafes, restaurants, nightlife and
upscale shops,
though fewer historic sites.
Beyoglu
hotels are mostly
modern 4- and 5-stars, often
busy with tour groups and meetings.
Many are hotels
near Taksim Square.
BOSPHORUS
HOTELS
Most of these hotels offer magnificent water views
from luxury 5-star rooms facing the Bosphorus
strait, but not all rooms do, and the location
is a bit distant from sightseeing, shopping and nightlife.
You'll be taking lots of taxi rides,
sometimes through dense traffic. Details...
AIRPORT
HOTELS
There's one right in Atatürk
International Airport, another adjacent to the
airport, and several others only a 10- or 15-minute
(US$5 to US$8) taxi ride away. Details...
Check
Rates & Availability on Venere
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