World House Hostel is located at the end of the busy shopping and entertainment street of Istiklal Caddessi.
The Location
It is fairly convenient since it is located in between the transportation and entertainment hub of Taksim Square and the tourist central area of Sultan Ahmet (which is still a bit of a hike, across the bridge and through the Grand Bazaar area, but easily done nonetheless). The neighborhood is great during the day, lots of tiny little (cheap) doner kebab and fresh juice stands, as well as cute little cafes. At night, however, the street can be a bit seedy and is very dark.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are bright and clean, if a bit spare. There are large windows with some nice views, simple bunks, and lockers in each room. Private rooms are also available. The rooms are lockable, though there are only one or two keys per room, and you must leave them at reception when you leave the building. The bathrooms are this place's downfall. There is usually one bathroom per floor, and the sink, toilet, and shower are all in the same room, with no shower curtain or door or anything to separate them. This means the bathroom is usually a mess because it gets soaking wet every time someone takes a shower.
Common Spaces
The cafe downstairs (located at the front of the building near reception) is charming, with plenty of chairs and tables to hang out and read, eat, or drink. This is where you get your delicious Turkish breakfast in the morning (included in the price) and much of the hostel seems to linger there over coffee and a book, or talking to friends. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available. Apart from the cafe, common spaces are rare. There is an internet computer (for pay) in an upstairs hallway, or free Wi-Fi if you have your own computer. The hostel is friendly but not overly social and the relative lack of common spaces probably contributes to this.
Summary
Overall this is an adequate but not particularly great hostel -- it's probably best for people who are traveling with friends or partners and just want an easy base for experiencing Istanbul rather than those hoping to meet new friends and spend time with people at the hostel.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2009
Location/Contact
