We found this Hotel by chance, on Booking.com, and we were a bit wary: 45 euros per nite, right on the Hippodrome??! But we were even more surprised and struck with awe when they showed us our room: it was on the last floor, room n.4, with a 3 side panoramic view over the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, the sea... More

Whilst visiting the hippodrome in the centre of the old town we decided to stop and have some lunch. It was an extremely cold day so the outside heaters were very welcome. We ordered Meatballs (Kofte) which were very tasty with nice rice and fresh veg, and not unreasonably priced. staff were very friendly, And the toilets were clean. So... More

This place has everything you could ever need when in Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque area), İstanbul. With a wonderful staff, great food, authentic ambience, and just an all around great experience, your trip to visit the beautiful, historic sites of İstanbul would not be complete without coming to The Optimist, which is conveniently located right across from the Blue Mosque. This... More

Optimist Guesthouse has a very good location, it is located in the center, in the old town, just in front of Blue Mosque. From here you can enjoy a very good view. Here you will be provided with a very good service, friendly environment; You will be provoded with nice housemade breakfast; rooms are clean and have good view. Not... More

My hubby Tony and I had a fab wek in Istanbule week commencing 13th January 2013. We discovered The Opitmist hotel bar restaurant! And what a little treasure of a place! Amazing! The staff are fantastic Fadir the waiter is fun always happy and the owner Mohammed is great fun too! All the staff looked after us like we were... More

It was very cold in Istanbul where we stayed for three nights during the new year holidays. On the last day of our stay, we had lunch while waiting for a transport to the airport. The staff were very friendly. It was fun to try the waterpipe. Their vegetable kebab was also superb!

We recently spent an enjoyable week at this small budget hotel in the centre of historic Istanbul, our second (!) stay there, and were certainly not disappointed. The location simply cannot be beaten, at the far end of the Hippodrome, opposite the Blue Mosque and the obelisks. We had asked for and had gotten the room on the top floor,... More

We travel many times a year and spend many of night in hotels, this is by far the worst ever hotel I've stayed in, as my wife said on the previous review I was bitten all over, in one night alone we counted 52 gnat bites on me, there was a gnat spray in the room but it was empty,... More

If your after a place to stay in Istanbul that's near to all the attractions than this is a good place, as it is within walking distance of everything. This really isn't a hotel more of a backpackers hostel and none of the pictures on this site showed the real rooms!! The rooms are located above the busy outdoor cafe... More