We always fly in a few days before our cruises or group tours because air travel has become so unpredictable.
We also knew Istanbul had a lot to explore. So we arrived four days early to really dive into the city.
Where We Chose To Stay
We looked for a hotel close to major attractions like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar.
We knew much of it would be walkable, and we also knew we might want afternoon breaks and to head out again after dark. So, the Sultanahmet District was ideal for us compared to staying near the cruise terminal.
Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet
Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet TR, Sultanahmet Mah, Kennedy Cad. No:12,
34122, Türkiye
The Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet is a boutique 28-room hotel on the Sea of Marmara.
The hotel was reasonably priced for the area at about $180.00 per night, including a large buffet breakfast and all taxes and fees.
And it’s a Radisson, so we expected a bit of a step up from some of the small, privately owned hotels we saw nearby.
Our Room
We’re both pretty savvy on social media and know that hotel photos tend to showcase the best room in the best light.
However, the Superior Sea View room we were assigned left a little to be desired. It wasn’t horrible, just poorly laid out, which made a multi-day stay challenging.
Thankfully, we were on the first floor, close to the lobby and breakfast room.
The sleeping area was tucked into an alcove on one side of the room, making it a bit tight to get into the bed.
The room had a love seat-sized sofa, a small table, and two chairs on one side. Across from the end of the bed was a small desk and a mini-fridge, with a good-sized TV above it.
The Bathroom
While the bathroom was on the smaller side, it was practical. It’s nice to have space on both sides of the sink for medications and personal items.
For us, both over sixty-five, the walk-in shower is always a huge plus. The room had good water pressure and plenty of hot water.
Senior Travel Tip
After making a reservation, email the hotel to request a first-floor room or one with a shower rather than a bathtub. Include your reservation number, arrival and departure dates, and mention that you are a senior traveler.
When traveling abroad, we often find that not all hotels have elevators, and we sometimes struggle to climb into a bathtub to shower.
BREAKFAST!
While Chuck isn’t much of a breakfast person, Mark is! We don’t always choose hotels that include breakfast. If Chuck has a Coke Zero, he’s good to go. As long as Mark has coffee, he’s usually happy to grab a pastry or a local breakfast item from a street vendor.
However, the breakfast was reasonably priced and well worth it!
The covered outdoor seating overlooking the sea, paired with the times when most of the sights we wanted to visit opened, meant we enjoyed lingering in the morning.
The breakfast buffet was incredible. It was full of local breakfast foods, meats, cheeses, olives, fruit, and breads. The pastries were awesome, too!
They also had an attendant who made eggs to order. Most mornings, you had to ask a server to get someone to make eggs. Not sure whether they were in the back restocking food or doing other prep, but they weren’t always there.
That aside, the breakfast was pretty awesome, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Bonus points for the signs in front of most of the dishes. They make it so much easier to figure out what some of the local dishes are.
What We Didn’t Think About
From the hotel’s location, it seemed like a ten-minute walk to many major attractions, with access to the tram for others.
However, the hotel is at sea level; this part of Istanbul is really HILLY! So, it was a winding, uphill ten-minute walk up and down the hill a few times a day.
Certainly not a deal-breaker, but something to keep in mind.
Overall Review
The hotel is quaint and still a good value for the price we paid.
The staff was friendly and helpful with directions, taxi calls, and finding local restaurants.
While the room itself was clean, the carpet had seen better days. Based on photos, it looks like they are replacing the carpet with wood laminate floors – but not in our room.
Breakfast was a highlight of the stay; the variety and quality were excellent.
The location wasn’t bad, just unexpected. The stroll up the hill past local shops and restaurants was pleasant, and usually eventful.
If we were to explore Istanbul again, we might pick another hotel. Probably on the Asian side of the city, as we didn’t spend very much time there.
But more on that as we explore Istanbul.
