The Hostelz.com Review
This place is like it described, in the center of Istanbul, and very chilling environment. It is just a few steps off of Istiklal street, the main street of the city on the European side. By the way, the wild dogs on the street may freak you out, but leave them alone and they won't bug you.
But the place is smaller than you imagine, but it very high up and has a lot of stairs. So you may end up climbing up to a dorm room on the 5th floor after a night of drinking. But it's a very nice looking place, lots of history in the architecture.
Pros: Great location – heart of the city and nightlife. It's a 10 minute walk to Taksim Square (where any bus from the train station will drop you off), 20 minute walk across the bridge to Sultanahmet area (where all the main sites are), lots of backpackers. There is a bar downstairs, where the owner and his buddies play backgammon, and cozy common room to meet others. It also has free internet.
Cons: The tiniest washrooms and cold showers. But there's a washroom on every floor. The whole place is sort of dark and dingy.
But we had a great time here because it attracts backpackers.
But the place is smaller than you imagine, but it very high up and has a lot of stairs. So you may end up climbing up to a dorm room on the 5th floor after a night of drinking. But it's a very nice looking place, lots of history in the architecture.
Pros: Great location – heart of the city and nightlife. It's a 10 minute walk to Taksim Square (where any bus from the train station will drop you off), 20 minute walk across the bridge to Sultanahmet area (where all the main sites are), lots of backpackers. There is a bar downstairs, where the owner and his buddies play backgammon, and cozy common room to meet others. It also has free internet.
Cons: The tiniest washrooms and cold showers. But there's a washroom on every floor. The whole place is sort of dark and dingy.
But we had a great time here because it attracts backpackers.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2008
Their Description
ChillOut Classic Hostel & Cafe Details
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ChillOut Classic Hostel & Cafe Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Crappy Hostel This is a crappy Hostel. Tiny conjusted rooms, hard mattresses with metal springs -- still got back pain. The receptionist is rude like hell. No breakfast, dirty rooms, & only 2 tiny dirty bathrooms in whole building. The guy refused to gimme a blanket. — Danial , Germany (2011-01-12) Stay there to meet people and enjoy istanbul this place has character! is cosy and homelike! go there and believe the five stars! — kalle blomquist , netherland (2009-03-24) why not rate five stars? the location is perfect. the staff is really helpful. the staff is really cool and does everything to let you feel like at home. Ok, the toilets are small, the shower and bathroom is really like a closet, but the staff told me that the building is from 1900 and that they have no chance to change that. For that, my opinion as a girl, it was clean. And it was kept clean. I was staying in the chillout for three weeks, met lots of people, and had the chance to live with real turkish people. I'll miss it and I will come again. — Annika Giesinger , germany (2007-05-01) i put one star just to try and bring the average down. really i would give this place three stars. seriously, its not as great as the comments below make it sound. just a stock standard average hostel. Convenient location from Taksim Sq though. No Free Internet, breakfast is only from 9 to 10 a.m. Dorms are tiny (we could barely even move in ours). Shower is basically a closet. No Kitchen. and reception / lounge is always smokey. Chillout? i would rather just get out. — MK, melburn (2006-12-06) It's the best hostel I have ever been! — Enis XHEMAILI, KOSOVA (2006-08-26) The atmosphere isn't like any other hostels I've been to. I came by myself to Istanbul, and as soon as I got to the hostel I was hanging out with the other guests, sightseeing with them and going out to bars. The staff are very helpful, the cafe/common room is perfect for drinking a cup of caj (tea) or planning what you are doing next, or even just hanging out. The dorm I stayed in had four beds, and although pillows and a thicker blanket aren't provided it had a lot more privacy then other hostels I've been at, and my roommates were really cool.
Now the negative things,
The cat. Yes the cat. The little bugger is the stupidest cat I have ever come across, but he is cute in his own stupid way.
The bathrooms are the size of a closet and in one bathroom, you can take a shower, brush your teeth, and go to the bathroom at the same time, and they don't have locks but most people are considerater enough to knock :)
Its located on an alleyway where alot of street kids congregate (hey brother, let me shine your shoes they are so dirty!!) they are harmless, but annoying, although it is fun to talk to a few of them.
But the negative are silly things, that all hostels in Istanbul have.
Most people stay in Sultanahmet, but honestly. How many times can you go inside the Blue Mosque before you want to see the real Istanbul? — Stevan (2005-08-11) Actually, I cannot remember how was the hostel because I was drunk. ;) It is in the city center!!! Really, it's exactly in the center. It's so near the pubs, bars, and whatever you could need in the middle of the night or day. The people are so friendly! The music (in the cafes) is great! But as for the toilets-showers- bathrooms…(I couldn't separate them from each other because they are all in the same small place. Actually, that means you can use the toilet while having a shower, and at the same time you can look at yourself in the mirror. ) It was so small and weird, but I liked that place! It was lovely, colorful, in the city center and cheap! — Ceren (2005-05-02) The evenings here are delicious. The raki (a Turkish drink) is the best, and the barbecue! I stayed for two months, and met so many nice people I'd never have met anywhere else. — Miguel Angello (2004-12-17) This hostel is in the center of Istanbul. It has a friendly, helpful staff. The price is cheap, but the place is clean and cozy. Check out the BBQ nights; these are spontaneous, and for sure are not professional, so it makes them much more fun. Ask for the fish parties, and drink raki like all the others. I really loved it here, and I am missing it. — Peter Pan (2004-09-30)