Country Code

To phone Turkey, you will need to know its country code: 90. To call Turkey from the US or Canada, dial 011-90, then the area code (without the initial 0), then the local number. If calling
Turkey from another European country, dial 00-90, then the area code (without the initial 0), then the local number.

Making Reservations

Remember, it's important to reserve ahead for Istanbul. To make a reservation from home, e-mailing is the best option, faxing is second-best, and calling is the last choice (while most hotels are accustomed to English-only speakers, dueling accents can lead to misunderstandings).
If you are not sure how long you will stay, guess long (it is harder to add days at the last minute), but then cancel the extra days once you know the real length of your stay—hotels require at least one day's notice. A two-night stay in June would be "2 nights, check in 10/06/08, check out 12/06/08." Like other Europeans, Turks write the date day/month/year.
If you e-mail or fax a reservation request and receive a response stating that rooms are available and giving the rate, this is not a confirmation. You must confirm the rates are fine and that you indeed want the room. One night's deposit is generally required. A credit-card number will usually be accepted as deposit. If sending your card number, do it by fax or phone (rather than e-mail) to keep it private, safer, and out of cyberspace. Don't give your credit-card number as a deposit unless you are absolutely sure you want to stay at the hotel on the dates you requested and are clear that they have a room available. If you don't show up, you will be billed for one night, and even if you cancel, you may not receive your entire deposit back.
Reconfirm your reservation a few days in advance for safety. Be sure to honor (or cancel) your reservation.

Types of Rooms and Beds

Study the price list on the hotel's Web site or posted at the desk, so you know your options. Receptionists often don't mention the cheaper rooms (they assume you want a private bathroom or a bigger room). Here are the types of rooms and beds:

"French bed"
Double bed (queen size or smaller)
"King bed"
King-size bed
İki ayrı yatak (ee-kee eye-ruh yah-tahk)
Twin beds
Çift kişilik oda (cheeft kee-shee-leek oh-dah)
Double room; indicate whether you want a French bed, king-size bed, or twin beds
Geniş yataklı oda (geh-neesh yah-tahk-luh oh-dah)
Single or double room with one large bed (usually queensize or smaller)
Tek kişilik oda (tehk kee-shee-leek oh-dah)
Room for two used by a single person; bed(s) may be French or two twins
Üç kişilik oda (ewch kee-shee-leek oh-dah) t
Triple room (double bed and a twin, or three twin beds)
"Promotion room"
Smaller room, often with toilet and shower down the hall