Bahaus Guesthouse

Bahaus Guesthouse is a very nice hostel located close to the Blue Mosque, Aiya Sofia, and the Grand Bazaar. The hostel has a very welcoming environment with a great location for touring Istanbul. The hostel is very easy to find and very close to the tram lines (about a five-minute walk). The ferry station is about a ten-minute walk from the hostel -- from here you can book cruises on the Bosphorous. There is also a taxi stand right in front of the hostel. Airport pick-up and drop off can be arranged through the hostel if needed (for the airport on the European side of Istanbul). The only shuttle to the airport on the Asian side of Istanbul is at 12:30 a.m. Otherwise you have to take a taxi which cost us about 60 Euros. This is the airport from which most of the low cost carriers, including Easy Jet, fly out.

The facilities at this hostel include a lovely roof-top terrace where great Turkish cuisine can be enjoyed every evening. There is a large common area where breakfast is served. There is free internet and a library. The dorm rooms are nice with individual lockers in which to store your bags. The bathrooms are clean, but frequently busy, as there are only about six toilets in the whole hostel.

This hostel has the best of both worlds. During our stay the hostel was full but never noisy or crowded. There are many areas within the hostel where you can find a quiet place to sit and read a book, or find a group of travelers to sit and socialize with. This hostel caters to a wide variety of travelers -- everyone is welcome. During our stay, there was a family staying (three children all over the age of fourteen), as well as a couple in their sixties. There are also many traditional backpackers who stay here. There are people from all over the world, and it is a great atmosphere to learn about other people and their travels.

The beds and rooms are very comfortable. The hostel is located on a quiet street in Istanbul, and it is very quiet at night. There are staff working twenty-four hours a day and they ensure that there is not a lot of noise after 11 p.m.

The hostel is a good value for money, and the cost includes breakfast. When you check in, you are expected to pay for your full stay up front, with no refunds offered. Book in advance, as this is a very popular hostel and was full during the entire week of our stay. There were travelers sleeping on the roof terrace, so this is another option, should all the beds be full.

The hostel offers many services including a walking tour of Istanbul. The staff at the hostel is very helpful and friendly. We would highly recommend this hostel.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review