Whether you feel like staying in an Ottoman palace, taking a room in a restored mansion or traditional wooden house, or even spending a night in a converted prison, you will find the hotel of your choice in Istanbul. Following a recent boom in tourism, the city's hotels and guesthouses now cater for every taste, as well as all budgets. Hotels tend to be clustered around Istanbul's main sightseeing areas. Sultanahmet contains many of the city's historic hotels, guesthouses and new boutique hotels. Beyoglu, across the Golden Horn, is a good place to look for three- and four-star hotels, including the grand old hotels of the 19th century.

CHOOSING A HOTEL

Many hotels in Istanbul are rated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism according to a star system. They range from comfortable but basic one-star hotels to five-star luxury hotels. Other types of accommodation licensed by the Ministry' are the converted buildings known as Special Licence hotels. A funher category is the accommodation licensed by the Greater Istanbul Municipality. These hotels provide perfectly reasonable facilities, but with less stringent standards.
Accommodation is available in most central areas of the city. The Sultanahmet district is conveniently situated within walking distance of most of the city's major sights. Many of the Special Licence hotels in this area are tucked away on residential side streets. There are guesthouses along Divan-yolu Caddesi, the main through road, and on the slopes leading down to the Sea of Marmara. There are also middle-range hotels in central Sultanahmet.
A short tram ride west from Sultanahmet are the Beyazıt, Laleli and Aksaray districts, which are packed with one-, two- and three-star hotels. The cheaper hotels here are used mostly by Central Asian and Russian traders, while many of the three-star hotels cater for package tour groups.
Beyoğlu and Taksim, the old European centre of Istanbul, are within easy reach of the best sights in the city. Both have innumerable cheap hotels that are comfortable and dependable, as well as international chain hotels.
The Asian side of Istanbul is a mainly residential area but also contains some hotels. There are also hotels in Kadıköy, which are used more by Turks than foreigners and tourists.

LUXURY HOTELS

There has been a rapid growth in the number of luxury hotels in the city, and most international chains are now represented in Istanbul. Almost all five-star hotels boast spectacular Marmara or Bosphorus views, and between them they have some of the best international restaurants in the city. All the major hotels have swimming pools and health clubs. Many of them also have Turkish baths. Conference facilities are provided, and many hotels have extensive entertainment facilities. Most can also arrange tours of Istanbul and nearby places through local companies. Most of the hotels now have floors where smoking is forbidden. They also provide facilities for the disabled, arrange special activities for children  and have wireless internet in all rooms.

SPECIAL LICENCE HOTELS

In recent years, a number of old buildings have been renovated and transformed into hotels. However, due to the nature of the buildings in which they are housed, some of these hotels cannot provide facilities such as lifts. They belong to a separate category, the Special Licence hotel, and are under private management.
The Special Licence hotels constitute some of Istanbul's most interesting and attractive hotels. They are often located in the residential streets of historic areas, and range from small, modestly priced traditional wooden houses to luxury Ottoman mansions. Special Licence hotels, whether large or small, are generally of a high standard. The authentic period decor of many of them gives even the larger ones a cosy atmosphere. A number of Special Licence hotels exist only as a result of the strenuous efforts of the Turkish Touring and Automobile Club . Led by its former crusading director, Celik Gülersoy, it has successfully preserved the Ottoman atmosphere of parts of the city by saving old buildings from demolition and restoring them. Its work can be seen particularly in the Special Licence hotels of Soğukçeşme Sokağı . Increasingly, many of the city's newly opened boutique-style hotels are choosing not to apply for official ratings or stars. This does not. however, imply any lack of standards or amenities. In fact, these establishments are contributing to he continually rising standards of accommodation. All have their own websites where you can take a virtual tour and compare prices and facilities.

CHEAPER HOTELS

Istanbul has plenty of cheap, comfortable accommodation which meets the standards of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. When choosing a cheaper hotel, however, do not base your decision on the facade or lobby, which may look brand new. One-star hotels provide the most basic facilities, but often have rooms with a private shower and toilet, Two- and three-star hotels have more comfortable rooms and usually a cafe or bar. Many three-star hotels offer rooms with a TV and mini-bar.
Guesthouses vary in terms of facilities. Most provide bed-linen and towels, and the better ones will have rooms with ensuite bathrooms. All should have communal cooking facilities. While cheaper hotels usually have central heating they are unlikely to have air conditioning, but an electric fan may be provided. Some small hotels may not provide hot water 24 hours a day.

WHAT TO EXPECT

All hotels listed in this book are comfortable and welcoming. Front desk staff usually speak English, and will be able to give information on sights and travel.
Hotel rooms in Istanbul generally have two single beds, and enough space to add a third one if need be. If you want a double bed you should make this clear when book-ing or checking in.
Most hotels with three or more storeys will have a lift. There may not be a lift in a Special Licence hotel, however, because of the problems of installing one in an older building Facilities for wheelchair users are increasingly found in hotels.
Noise can be a problem even in some smart hotels, so in busy areas choose a room that doesn't face on to a main street. If you are not satisfied with your room, you can always ask for another.
Breakfast is included in the price of the room and typically consists of a generous open buffet, including cold meats, fruits, cereals and yoghurt. Many larger hotels have restaurants that serve a la carte meals. Upmarket hotels have at least one dining room serving evening meals, but some of the smaller, cheaper hotels do not. It is a good idea to check when booking and confirm by email or fax.

PRICES AND DISCOUNTS

Hotel prices are quoted in euros or Turkish Lira (TL) and sometimes in US dollars. Prices are per room not per person. All prices usually include breakfast, and tax. Apart from top-class hotels, which have standard prices that do not change throughout the year, tariffs differ according to the season. The busy season, when hotel prices tend to be at their highest, is from April to the end of October. During the brief Christmas and New Year period, the higher summer tariffs are applied. There are no single rooms, but all hotels offer a single room rate of slightly more than half the price of a double room.
It is always worth attempting to bargain with hotels, but do not expect to get a discount. For longer slays of a week or more you may be able to get a reduction. Some hotels also oiler discounts for internet bookings, cash payments, or out ol-season stays. However, do nol expect a room with any kind of a view if you haw go! ii at a discount.

BOOKING A ROOM

Lounge area of the Empress Zoe  While you will always be able lo find a room of a ivasi inalile standard, it is advisable lo hook in advance lor die best holds or those of your choice during the busy season. You can book any hotel listed in this guide directly, by telephone, fax and e-mail. Many hotels also have their own website registration forms. You may be asked to give your credit card details, which will
guarantee your reservation. If you cannot find a place in any of the hotels that fall in your preferred price range, try one of the established travel companies based in Istanbul, such as Meptur, Plan Tours or Vip Tourism. If you arrive without having reserved a room, the tourist information offices in the airport, Sirkeci Station, Sultanahmet Square or Karaköy International Maritime Terminal will help you find a hotel, but they will not make a reservation for you.

CHECKING OUT AND PAYING

Guests are expected to check out by midday, but hotels will usually keep luggage for collection later. All hotels accept the major credit cards, as well as Turkish lira and other currencies. VAT is always included in the room price although, leave a few dollars, or its equivalent, in the room for the cleaner, and give a tip to the receptionist to be divided among the staff. Phone calls and mini-bar drinks can add to the size of your bill.

CHILDREN

Children up to six years old are often not charged for rooms, and pay 50% until 12 years old. It is possible to negotiate a discount for older children who share a room with their parents. Most hotels also have cots for babies.
Some hotels arrange special entertainment for children. The Swissotel offers a weekend package.

HOSTELS

For those on a tight budget, Istanbul has a number of inexpensive hostels, mostly in the Sultanahmet area. The best known, which has been a firm favourite for several decades, is the Yiicelt Interyouth Hostel. This hostel is right in the heart of the Sultanahmet district, on a peaceful, tree-lined street beside Haghia Sophia and literally next door to the Haghia Sophia Museum.
Yücelt was established in 1965 with the specific aim of providing accommodation for the younger and more independent travellers on a restricted budget. It was often the first choice of travellers on the hippy trail in the 1970s. It is still a popular and friendly hostel, offering 320 beds in dormitories, or in more expensive, but less-crowded, rooms (single, double and triple rooms are available). All rooms have heating. Yucelt is a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation OYHF) and offers a discount for members. The hostel has a wealth of facilities, including hot-water showers, a laundry, a safe, a luggage room, an internet room, a cafeteria and even a bar and disco. Nearby, on Akbiyik Caddesi, the Orient Guesthouse is a modern youth hostel with excellent facilities, including a rooftop café, a bar and a safe.
The tour operator Gençtur is also affiliated to the IYHF and can provide detailed information on additional hostels in the city.

CAMPING

Camping and caravanning in Turkey have steadily gained popularity in recent years. There is an ever-increasing variety of excellent camping places with self-catering facilities open in the summer season, which lasts from May until October. Londra Kamping is open throughout the year. It has washing and cooking facilities, a fast-food restaurant, bar, pool table and football pitch. As well as providing camping facilities, it also has two-room bungalows for rent. On the Black Sea coast but situated to the east of the Bosphorus is another equally attractive and popular camp site, the Kumbaba Moteli, which is situated 1.2 miles (2 km) outside the resort of §ile (see pi58). This site is open between May and September, and the amenities it has to offer include hot showers and cooking facilities.
For further details, contact the Turkish Camping and Caravanning Association, which is helpful and informative. The association also has a website with comprehensive listings of sites throughout the country.

SELF-CATERING

Istanbul has a number of apartment hotels located near various central business and residential districts, providing fully furnished apartments for those who prefer more homely surroundings. The Akmerkez Residence Apart Hotel, which is mostly used by businessmen, is in the upmarket Akmerkez shopping mall in Etiler . Its luxuriously decorated flats have air-conditioning and all domestic appliances. The Entes Apart Hotel has compact modern apartments.
Global real estate franchises like Century 21 and Remax can assist in finding long-or short-term rental accommodation.