Hotels

Turkey has a simple hotel rating system depending on amenities are simple and can be bargains—or depressing dumps. Two stars offer basic facilities but little charm. Three stars have most of the comforts, and four is generally just a three-star with a fancier lobby and more elaborately designed rooms. Five stars offer more luxury than you have time to appreciate.
Generally, the number of stars does not reflect room size or guarantee quality. Some two-star hotels are better than many three-star hotels. One- and two-star hotels are inexpensive, but some three-star (and even a few four-star hotels) offer good value, justifying the extra cost.
There's also a separate designation called "Special Class" (which we've marked with this symbol: sc). This means the hotel was a historic Turkish-style building converted to lodging—in other words, it has a uniquely Turkish character. There are no subcategories among Special Class hotels. Some are upscale; others are run-down. While the rooms can be quite comfortable, most don't have Western-style amenities such as saunas, pools, multiple restaurants, or parking. Most of the Special Class hotels in the Old Town are equivalent to a two- or three-star hotel.
Most hotels have lots of doubles and a few singles and triples. Quads are rare. Traveling alone can be expensive, as singles are mostly doubles used by one person—at about two-thirds the price of a double room. Room prices vary within each hotel depending on size, views, whether the room has a bath or shower, and the size of the beds (tubs and twins cost more than showers and double beds—called "French beds" in Turkey). Rooms with king-size beds may be pricier than rooms with double beds. A triple and a double are often the same room, with a double bed and a tiny folding bed. Hotels cannot legally allow more in the room than what's shown on their price list. Some hotels may have family-friendly connecting rooms, usually two double rooms with a door between. Connecting rooms tend to have a double bed in one room and two twins in the other. Most hotel rooms have a sink, toilet, and bath or shower en suite, while hostels offer the option of rooms without showers and toilets.
All of the hotels listed in this book have English-speaking staff. Still, it can be helpful to use the correct hotel jargon to get the right size room and bed (see sidebar above). A "double room" isn't necessarily a room with one big bed for two. It can also mean a twin room, with two separate beds. Ask for what you want.
You can save money by asking for a smaller room, often called a "promotion room." At some hotels, these rooms may not have a private shower or toilet in the room (shared bathroom facilities are a short walk down the hall).
Istanbul hotels charge a Value-Added Tax (VAT). Most hotels include tax in their posted rates; others add it to your bill. Unless we've noted otherwise, you can assume tax is included in these rates.
Rooms are safe. Still, keep cameras and money out of sight or take them with you when you leave for the day. Better yet, most hotels offer safes at the reception desk, and some have safes in the rooms (you may have to pay a small fee).
Extra pillows and blankets are sometimes in the closet or available on request. To get a pillow, ask for "Yastık, lütfen" (yahs-tuhk lewt-fehn).
If you're planning to visit Istanbul in the summer, it's worthwhile to choose an air-conditioned hotel. When using the air-conditioner in your room, remember that 20°C is a comfortable 68°F (also see the temperature conversion chart in the appendix).
Most hotels provide a computer terminal with Internet access for guests to use, often for free. Many also offer free wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) to travelers packing a laptop. If you need to do laundry, it's best to have your hotel do it—self-service launderettes are rare.
Breakfast: Turkish hotels see a good breakfast as a badge of honor, and are quite competitive—so unless you're sleeping at a dive, you can expect a decent breakfast. (Breakfast is almost always included in the room rate, except at a few international chain hotels.) A Turkish hotel breakfast often consists of cheese, olives, jam or honey, butter, tomatoes, cucumbers, egg (usually hard-boiled), bread, and Turkish tea. The coffee is generally instant— except at fancier hotels, American-style filter coffee is unusual. Don't expect the thick "Turkish coffee" for breakfast—Turks drink this not as a side beverage, but as a digestive after meals . Juice is usually watered-down, but fresh-squeezed fruit juices may be available for an additional charge.

Hostels

Istanbul hostels charge about €10 for a dorm bed, more for private rooms. Hostels are concentrated in the Old Town—especially on or near the street called Yeni Akbıyık. Travelers of any age are welcome if they don't mind dorm-style accommodations and meeting other travelers. Hostel membership is not required. Cheap meals may be available, and kitchen facilities are usually provided for do -it-yourselfers.

Apartments

Short-term apartments to rent are hard to find. We've listed several apartments (mainly in the New District), worth considering if you're traveling with your family or staying for a week or more.