Istanbul Hostel

Istanbul hostel is a cheat.
Istanbul hostel is a cheat. After reading many good reviews I booked this hostel via email and got confirmation. When arrived there, they denied any such email. I requested to check mailbox again, but they said internet is not working. Then they offered a bed in their partner hostel of CEN Sultan. My culture doesn't support a mixed dormitory, but had no option at 9 p.m. in an alien city. The partner hostel had cold, dirty cellar as dorm and toilet with transparent glass door. There I met other two ladies with the same story.

i live in another city of turkey. i stayed at this hotel whenever i arrive to istanbul. it is great with free internet, downstairs bar, and cheap. it is near to all historical places (aya sophia, sultanahmet, bosphorus, galata tower, and grand bazaar).

I feel that this hostel was highly overrated. Reservations were chaotic, there is a bar, but no lounge or kitchen. in fact outside food and beverages are not allowed. very loud and crowded, many beds crammed into each room. The manager was considerate and helpful, but the other staff members were more interested in entertaining friends or surfing the Internet than thinking of customers. There are much better choices, not recommended.

The Istanbult Hostel was an excellent place to stay. We stayed with our three children and had a dorm room for six to ourselves. We enjoyed the free Turkish breakfast and internet. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. The travel agency associated with the hostel was of great help in planning our onward journey. The hostel is located within walking distance (even for our youngest who is seven years old) to the Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque, and other key tourist attractions.

The location close to the major sights is excellent, but very touristic of course. The neighbourhood features lots of competing hostels, hotels, overpriced shops, and restaurants providing the usual kebap. Our dorm room was all right, enough space was provided. Nights were very noisy because a water reservoir right outside the window was filled up regularly in an unevenly loud process that took hours. The hostel is equipped with enough bathrooms, but they could be cleaned more thoroughly. Hair clogging one drain wasn't ever removed during our whole stay of five nights. As this is a place meant for budget minded backpackers, it is quite annoying that drinks brought in by yourself aren't allowed anywhere in the hostel. Both the terrace and the basement are equipped with bars (beer at 5 YTL, not really cheap) but for hanging out with fellow travellers the atmosphere isn't as relaxed as at other hostels with common rooms or kitchens. You will still get to know plenty of people thanks to the popularity of this place. What really drives me off is how they want to make people review the hostel on the day of departure in their presence. Most people do them the favour of giving 100% in every category at the site they used for booking when the manager is looking above their shoulders and they are offered free cake.

I have traveled quite a bit and stayed in my fair share of hostels. Without a doubt this is my favorite. It is next to the Four Seasons. Location -- view on the roof bar of the bay and Hagia Sophia. Great rooms, marble bathrooms, and a staff that is a delight after the carpet sellers harassment.

Great place to stay. Clean washroom, friendly and helpful staff (especially Dan and the breakfast lady). Cuma and his cousin are all very eager to help you out though they speak limited English. Don't worry about English -- because Dan is always around. Fellow backpackers are simply wonderful. It's always safe to book in advance though -- 'cause it's likely that the whole hostel is fully booked. When I was there (19 - 25 June 2006), most nights were full house. Breakfast is nice and free. Two wireless PC terminals. One roof bar, where one can enjoy the sea view -- someone even saw dolphins in the sea. They showed World Cup in the night too.

Great atmosphere and staff! Internet was free which is always essential for the budget traveller. Nice cosy bar downstairs with some great sounds. Rooms were not too bad -- I stayed in the six-person dorm opposite reception.

The atmospere does it for me there. Location great, city excellent, weather super but this hostel makes you feel like coming home. The beds suck, the shower sucks, and the power is out sometimes, but nobody cares, no worries. this is what backpacking is all about. best damn hostel i have ever been in.

Great place to stay, I really couldn't recommend it more. The Terrace is a perfect place to relax after a long day of sight-seeing, complete with cold beers and a really amazing view. Rooms were always clean and the company was always great. Ten out of ten for sure.

Great location, great price, free breakfast and free twenty-four-hour internet, twenty-four hour reception. Great rooftop bar, but more than anything great staff. This is by far the best hostel I have ever stayed in, I have never been treated so hospitably by any hostel staff in my life (and I travel a lot). I highly recommend this hostel, I will not stay anywhere else on my own return trips to Istanbul.

Good hostel, rooms are basic but clean. Toilets and showers are also very clean. Breakfast is free. The staff is very helpful, the location is great and they have a nice bar in the basement and a terrace on the roof with a view of the Aya Sophia and the Bosporus.

We stayed here in April 2006 and had a great experience. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, there is a great bar, they provide free internet and it is only a minutes walk from the Blue Mosque, grand bazaar and restaurants. Would highly recommend this hostel to fellow backpackers.

This is a great place to stay when in Istanbul. We had a great time during our stay in September. The hostel is clean and the staff are very friendly, especially Dan. He was a great guy to be with and he went out of his way to ensure that guests were comfortable. The best part about this hostel is that it is within walking distance from the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofia and other sites. Highly recommended!!

Hello people, I was in Istanbul Hostel for three nights in August, and I have to say that it is a very good place to spend time in Istanbul. It is very close to St. Sofía and the beautiful Blue Mosque, just 5 minutes away by walking! The receptionists were very nice and helpful. We were 6 people in a 6-person-room, and all was very clean, except the upstairs bathroom, which smelled strange. This is because in Turkey the hygienic paper is not thrown into the WC (toilet).