What image comes to you when you think of the country, Turkey?
Maybe it's the colorful hot-air balloon rising above the ravine, the splendid Hagia Sophia decorated with mosaic and marble pillars, or the diverse culture and architecture spread around the country.
Well, I am here for all of them (read the full adventure here).
But today, I'd love to show you the hotels that I stayed during the trip. All three of them are fairly inexpensive given their values provided, and each of them has its own highlights.
Maybe it's the colorful hot-air balloon rising above the ravine, the splendid Hagia Sophia decorated with mosaic and marble pillars, or the diverse culture and architecture spread around the country.
Well, I am here for all of them (read the full adventure here).
But today, I'd love to show you the hotels that I stayed during the trip. All three of them are fairly inexpensive given their values provided, and each of them has its own highlights.
1. Hotel Arcadia Blue (My rating: ★★★★☆)
Room type: Standard Room Sea View,
$119/night
Hotel Arcadia Blue is
located in the Sultanahmet district, which is known as the old city.
One of the best highlights of staying at this property is that it allows you to take a panoramic shot of
both The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia museum directly from your room. You are able to open the
windows completely to set up your tripod and capture the architectures from various angles.
(There is a balcony area outside the restaurant on the 9th floor, but they don't allow you to use the tripod there)
The hotel is also close to a number of historical sites, including Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, etc.
(There is a balcony area outside the restaurant on the 9th floor, but they don't allow you to use the tripod there)
The hotel is also close to a number of historical sites, including Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, etc.
Things I don't like
about this hotel:
- The shower area can't be closed completely
- The air conditioner is a bit weak. I felt pretty hot inside my room even I set the temperature to the lowest possible. The problem might just be my room though.
You can also arrange airport transportation with the hotel. It is a lot cheaper compared to local taxi. Price for one way: IST
- 25€ up to 4 people; ISL and SAW - 50€ up to 4 people.
2. Goreme Kaya Hotel (My rating: ★★★★☆)
Room type: Standard
Room, $34/night
Want to know what living in a cave hotel looks like? Yes, that's what this hotel is about.
If you are here for a hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia (Goreme), I can't suggest Goreme Kaya Hotel more than enough because of three reasons:
If you are here for a hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia (Goreme), I can't suggest Goreme Kaya Hotel more than enough because of three reasons:
- Price was ridiculously cheap ($34 per night)
- Stunning landscape outside of hotel
- Amazing breakfast buffet
The room is big enough
for a family in my opinion although I was by myself. Again, I don't like the
fact that the shower room door can't be completely closed, but other than that, it's pretty comfortable.
It was also very warm inside without having to turn on the heater.
It was also very warm inside without having to turn on the heater.
What I like about this hotel is that you don't sacrifice quality for the unbeatable price.
Definitely an affordable lifetime experience that you don't want to miss!
(You can arrange airport transportation with hotel directly)
(You can arrange airport transportation with hotel directly)
3. St Regis Istanbul (My rating: ★★★★★)
Room type: Deluxe
Guest room with Macka Park view, used free night certificate
On my last day of this trip, I decided to use one
of my free night certificate from Marriott, which I got it from the Marriott
credit cards.
I choose St Regis Istanbul because I am a Titanium member with Marriott, so it comes with a wonderful breakfast, which is buffet style.
Their staff were very detail-oriented and proactive at initiating conversions. One of them saw that I like apple tea at check-in, and he offered to bring a pot of tea to my room later.
Their staff were very detail-oriented and proactive at initiating conversions. One of them saw that I like apple tea at check-in, and he offered to bring a pot of tea to my room later.
The bathroom alone
was larger than my bedroom in the apartment...I only wished that the toilet was
actually closer to the shower room because it was completely separated by a
door.
I also loved the double sinks set up even though I didn't need the second one, but it just added a luxury feeling, doesn't it?
I also loved the double sinks set up even though I didn't need the second one, but it just added a luxury feeling, doesn't it?
It also has an eyebrow-raising breakfast buffet that offers food choices more than you can expect. There are a lot of options!
There is a restaurant
on site, Wolfgang Puck's Spago, and it has a stunning views of Macka Park and
the Bosporus. The restaurant operates from 3pm to 2am daily. Reservation is required.
The onsite gym has many equipment
as well. Price of SPA is within my expected ranges. I was surprised that they
have a sauna room however!
Overall, I enjoy my stay here because the staffs were so thoughtful and paid attention on
small details on what I needed. For instance, they knew I like photography because they saw that I carried a camera and tripod around. And they showed me how to get around the sites quickly and provided few tips on best timing of visiting.
The entire property is very clean and neat. Even if you decide to pay with cash instead of redeeming a room, the price is still fairly affordable.
The entire property is very clean and neat. Even if you decide to pay with cash instead of redeeming a room, the price is still fairly affordable.
View
more photos of each hotel, click here
Which hotel would you like
to try out?
Let me know in the comment below and follow me on Facebook to see what I'm up for next journey.
Let me know in the comment below and follow me on Facebook to see what I'm up for next journey.
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