Aren Suites

Stop searching for hotel and book this one! This is precisely what a tourist is looking for: excellent English, solid advice, clean rooms, safe area, quiet neighborhood. The staff provides comfortable, clean, quiet rooms, and friendly knowledgeable advice. The hotel is centrally located within 5 minutes of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and on to the Topkapi Palace. The best thing? The breakfast is a huge spread of delicious fresh food. Afternoon tea is nice too! Staff is very friendly. Nearby convenience store sells everything from snacks to beer and amazing chocolate. (A note to Americans: 'suites' is the European reference to including a private bathroom and not the American tradition of including a kitchenette.) Such wonderful people and a wonderful hotel!

Plusy: The rooms feel like s 4 star hotel but with the simplicity of a 3 star. This means excellent English, great advice, central location, and delicious food. Beds are large and comfortable.

Minusy: Be careful with area restaurants, as many of them are kind of bland and touristy (not the fault of the hotel -- try Stone House for delicious food!)