If you’re searching for a hotel in Istanbul or throughout Turkey, you’ll find a full range of options, from luxury palace hotels to charming, historic inns to simple but clean pensions and hostels, and even rental villas and flats and apartments.
While most hotels and hostels in Istanbul are very good for value, with clean rooms, extensive service, and great hospitality, The best locations, facilities, and service can be found in five- and four-star hotels. You can generally visit most historical sites just by walking and enjoy your time in Istanbul without a breeze. They also offer spacious rooms with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. In addition, breakfast is usually included in the rates.
Three- and two-star hotels also offer good service with great options like pools and bars, particularly in coastal towns, and they tend to be closer to public transportation methods such as a metro station.
However, if you are looking for budget-friendly options, consider one-star or no-star hotels in Istanbul. These hotels typically offer only a room with a shower, but they are still adequate for a comfortable stay.
With so many options and variables, it can be challenging to choose the best hotel in Istanbul, Turkey. If you want to learn more about hotels and hostels throughout Turkey, read our hotel guide to learn more about some differences you might encounter.
Also, check with our top agents to get the best prices.
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Istanbul Hotels
Istanbul has a wide range of options when it comes to finding accommodation. Just keep in mind, when searching for Istanbul hotels, it’s important to remember that it is always helpful to book in advance, at least for the first night, and reservations are encouraged during the tourist season in the summer.
Meanwhile, you can get away with not booking a reservation in the fall and winter seasons when there are fewer tourists than in the summer.
Hotels in the city center and the best luxury hotels will tend to be more expensive. Especially hotels and hostels near Istanbul airports (Istanbul Airport [IST], Sabiha Gökçen Airport [SAW], and now closed Ataturk International Airport), Marmara Sea and Golden Horn (Bosphorus Strait) will be more expensive.
Also, hotels near tourist attractions, such as Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi), Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı), Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı), Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), and Istiklal Street (Istiklal Caddesi) will be among the popular and expensive hotels in Istanbul but offer better service.
Cost of Accommodations
The cost of hotels and other accommodations varies greatly depending on the quality, location, and season. However, we must mention that you can find all types of hotels and hostels in Istanbul: cheap hotels, luxury hotels, budget hotels, and even pet-friendly hotels!
As a thumb of rule, if you want to find a cheap hotel in Istanbul, the further away you get from the city center and the tourist attractions, the better.
If you want to enjoy luxury hotels at affordable prices when visiting Istanbul, you can find better Istanbul hotel deals for some of the best hotels during the off-tourism season in winter and fall. This might be the best option if you just want to visit tourist attractions and don't mind cold weather. (Keep in mind some tourist attractions might go under renovation during the winter season.)
Read more about the costs of accommodations and other travel expenses in Turkey.
Let's take a closer look at the best Istanbul hotels and their locations.
Special-Class Hotels & Inns
Luckily for visitors, Turkey has hundreds of special places to stay that don’t fit easily into the star categories: Ottoman mansion inns, historic houses from the Ottoman Empire, boutique hotels, Cappadocian cave dwellings, etc.
These often have lots of character, at least some modern comforts (and sometimes all comforts), and are priced accordingly. We definitely recommend staying at a cave hotel when visiting Cappadocia.
Members of the Turkish Small Hotels Association are the best boutique hotels throughout Turkey, dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality, hospitality, comfort, and value for money.
Sirkeci Mansion Hotel, Istanbul—superb 5-star boutique-hotel hospitality in the most convenient location.
Conrad Istanbul Hotel, Turkey—superb 5-star, 590-room hotel on a hillside overlooking the Bosphorus
5-Star Hotels
Expected luxury and all services. Worldwide chains (Hilton, Kempinski, Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Sheraton, etc.) tend to be smoother but substantially more expensive than the local Turkish chains (Dedeman, Divan, Merit, etc.), which offer a bit less class but better value. Breakfast is not always included in the normal rates (although it may be in package deals). These excellent hotels will have the best location and include a minibar, free wifi, a fitness center, a free shuttle, extremely helpful staff, room service, and a pleasant stay with great facilities.
You can also get a double room and concierge services, but keep in mind that the average nightly price will tend to be higher.
The Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul is perhaps the best hotel in the entire city. It has the most convenient location for sightseeing and a staff of 200 to serve 130 guests in 65 guest rooms. It is usually fully booked, so reserve early!
"A secret heaven in the heart of the old city. Lovely garden accompanying you whilst you enjoy your coffee. Professional staff, absolutely a perfect service."
The first 5-star luxury hotel built in Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul chose a prime location with spacious grounds, a fine outdoor swimming pool, and spectacular panoramic views, yet you can walk in minutes to Taksim Square and the delights and activities of Beyoğlu and the upscale boutiques of Nişantaşı.
"A fantastic hotel with super enthusiastic staff members. They are energetic, helpful, and courteous. The view from the hotel is."
Built to receive the pampered passengers arriving on the Orient Express, the Pera Palace has been completely renovated, its systems modernized, yet its 19th-century Ottoman Orientalist charm has been preserved. Managed by Jumeirah, it offers a premium nostalgic experience in the heart of Beyoğlu.
"A truly beautiful hotel that is perfectly maintained and retains a lot of charm and a lovely ambiance. There is a lot of history associated with this lovely property."
4-Star Hotels
Four-star hotels tend to be very comfortable local hotels, independent or small Turkish chains, with multilingual staff, nice restaurants and bars, air conditioning, a good breakfast, etc. They are a great option if you want to enjoy a luxurious holiday but don't want to break the bank on just your accommodation.
Family-run with super-friendly staff, beautifully renovated guest rooms, and sea and city views from the modern roof terrace (where a fine buffet breakfast is served), the Niles is only a few minutes stroll from the Grand Bazaar and about 10 minutes walk (and less by tram) along historic Divan Yolu from the Hippodrome.
"The staff were really friendly, especially the manager, Mr. Kemal, who was super caring, helpful, and had great patience. Breakfast with great variety and was delicious. You could see the sea from the hotel terrace."
Those wanting to be at the center of sightseeing can do no better: the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque is literally right across the street. Dine in the rooftop restaurant, and you'll feel you can almost touch it (look at these photos!) Blue House Hotel is very friendly, and efficient staff and service add to its appeal.
"The location is excellent... Everything is within walking distance. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The room was clean. It was a bit..."
Would you believe me if I said that you could sleep right in the walls of old Byzantium? At Naz Wooden House Inn, you can! This tiny place is built right into the city walls in a quiet, real Istanbul neighborhood, not far from the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Small, friendly, and comfy, it really does feel like your house in Istanbul.
"The hotel was in an excellent location, close by to restaurants, and less than 5 minutes walk away from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia."
3-Star Hotels
Three-star hotels tend to have clean, comfortable rooms with satellite TV, minibars, and perhaps even a swimming pool or nightclub in smaller cities and resorts. You can always rely on a 3-star hotel when staying in a smaller district/town in Istanbul.
Sultan's Inn, with its good location a short walk from the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, friendly staff, an old-time Ottoman atmosphere, a historic building, and comfortable facilities at value-for-money rates, the Sultan's Inn is part of Fatih Seyahat, the same company that operates the excellent airport transfer service.
"Love it so much, good location, friendly staff."
Another Fatih Seyahat hotel near the aforementioned Sultan's Inn, Deniz Houses, is in two buildings on a quiet, little-trafficked street, with comfortable rooms, roof terraces with good sea views, welcoming, informative staff, and particularly advantageous rates.
"We stayed there for four days and were very happy with the service. The hotel provides you with all the basics you might need."
Would you believe me if I said that you could sleep right in the walls of old Byzantium? At Naz Wooden House Inn, you can! This tiny place is built right into the city walls in a quiet, real Istanbul neighborhood, not far from the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Small, friendly, and comfy, it really does feel like your house in Istanbul.
"The hotel was in an excellent location, close by to restaurants, and less than 5 minutes walk away from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia."
Terrace Guesthouse is a small, super-friendly hotel with spectacular views of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara at some of the best rates in Istanbul. That would be the Terrace Guesthouse, right across the street from the renowned Four Seasons Hotel, but with far better views than at that ultra-deluxe 5-star.
"The Terrace Guest House is a welcoming and wonderful place to stay in Istanbul. The location is ideal for sightseeing, shopping, and taking in the old city charms. "
2-Star Hotels
Two-star hotels offer good value and may have TVs in rooms and even a decent breakfast. There are many 2-star hotels in Istanbul, and some are even located near tourist attractions, so you don't have to book in advance in most cases.
Yunus Emre Hotel is a two-minute stroll from the Hippodrome (if you're a slow walker). This friendly, family-run hotel has comfortable hotel rooms with all services, a super-thrifty hostel section with tidy dorms, and a comfortable roof terrace with good views. Best rates in town!
"We had a room with an attached bathroom. The room in itself was okay; it had air conditioning, a window, a TV, a cupboard with hangers, and a bed with side tables."
1-Star Hotels
Great value for the budget-minded; simple, homey, often like a European pension. Not a lot of services, though usually Wifi Internet, TV in the lounge, clean rooms with (tiny) private shower, and usually a simple breakfast.
No-Star Hotels
The municipal authorities may rate the smallest, cheapest local hotels, hostels, and pensions as no-star hotels. These spartan places in out-of-the-way, off-the-beaten-track small towns and eastern cities often have rooms with only beds and a light bulb; a communal cold-water sink and shower are down the hall; a hot shower (if available) may cost extra.
Breakfast is usually not available or is extra. If you’re traveling on a starvation budget, they’re good. No-star places in a city may be grim; in seaside resorts, they’re often friendly and convenient.
Hostels
Turkey has numerous excellent travelers’ hostels of the new type: not the spartan, puritan youth, and hikers’ barracks of the past but comfortable, congenial, low-cost, high-enjoyment lodgings targeted at adventurous travelers of all ages, but primarily younger ones. The many services usually include WiFi Internet access, bars and lounges, travel booking services, and may include private rooms with baths.
If you plan to visit the smaller districts and towns of Istanbul, it is recommended that you stay in a budget hostel to take advantage of better prices. Additionally, the coastal towns in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions offer some of the best small hostels for your stay.
Villas & Flats/Apartments
Perhaps the fastest-growing lodging possibility is that villas are springing up all along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and flats/apartments are being refurbished in the major cities for families, small groups, and those coming for visits longer than the normal few days.
They tend to be better options if you plan to stay in Istanbul for an extended period of time as you can pay monthly or seasonally for your lodge and save on extra costs of hotels. Keep in mind you will need to shop for groceries and cook during your stay.
Although hotels offer extensive help with their multilingual staff and services, most of the time, you can find comfortable, affordable, and advantageous accommodation options for rental apartments and villas on Airbnb, and they might end up being far better than other options.
Organic Farm Stays
Those interested in voluntourism or WWOOF can spend part of their holiday or vacation on an organic farm in Turkey. During your stay, you'll live among the locals and villagers, immersing yourself in their customs and culture for a peaceful nature holiday.
Finding a Hotel in Istanbul
There are many lodging options in Istanbul, and finding accommodation fitting all budgets and needs is possible. When searching for a hotel in Istanbul, remember to book in advance and try to avoid the high season for better prices.
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