Yucelt Interyouth Hostel

I could not ask for a better location! This is a fantastic hostel. It has a great, friendly staff and good food and drink!

This was by far the cheapest place we stayed on our trip (but not that cheap for Istanbul!). The bedrooms were very spacious, but the beds were a bit dodgy. The road outside was fairly noisy especially when a tram went past. The location was great - right next to Aya Sofya and near the Blue Mosque. The covered bazaar was great and not far from the hostel. The bathrooms looked like they hadn't been cleaned for years. Looking down the toilet, it was just brown! The showers were badly designed and flooded all the time. The decor was way past its best with damp patches everywhere and a damp smell in the corridors. The carpet in the dorm bedroom was very old and tatty! We will stay somewhere else if we go again.

We've been in some hostels and other low-budget accommodations throughout Europe, and Yucelt Hostel was by far the best, no matter how one looks at it. I'd been in Istanbul the year before at a three-star hotel and--if one disregards the layout--it wasn't largely superior. In fact, the Yucelt's location is even better! It is right in the historical center of Istanbul, within five minutes walk of the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, and it has rooms with views of no less than the Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia), just across the street. Friendly staff and very clean--don't miss it.

The best hostel I've ever been in! Inexpensive, with a great location, (in the heart of Istanbul), great staff, very clean (rooms and showers) and very lively as well. I've spent four nights here, and it was superb! If you come to Istanbul this is probably the best place to stay!