Golden Horn Hotel Sultanahmet [0]  

It was my first visit to Istanbul & I together with my husband were spending our honeymoon in Golden Horn Sultanahmet hotel. Although there are maybe some disadvantages of staying there, but I strongly hold that the advantages of staying there far overweight that of not staying. Firstly,we really liked the beautiful panoramic view of the hotel: ancient and fascinating mosques,nice pigeons soaring in the sky, many ships ,beautiful buildings, lots of extraordinary plants- the whole beauty of that city! The breakfast was also wonderful despite the fact that some of that nice pigeons stealed my food while I was drinking the tea;-) But I didn’t feel frustrated because of that! So,this example leads to conclusion that if we can see the funny side of everything, we’ll never make a mistake of taking ourselves too seriously) All in all, if I had a chance to stay in one of the best hotels of Istanbul, staying in Golden Horn hotel would be my first choice, no matter what anyone says:-)

Was not thinking about writing a review, but after reading Artiom’s from Moscow, decided to do it.
Completely agree that rooms are small, but cosy, and it is sometimes noisy, but my room was clean and i am glad with thier service. I think for its 4 stars it is not quite enough, but still everything is supportable. But the breakfast was a royal one! :) awesome views of Istanbul, it is beyond expression! Its position deserves special mention, for the main sights are quite near. If some day i go to Istanbul again, i will stay at this hotel!
PS. about russian tourists: maybe, you are right, i didnt pay attention to it (

Two days ago I returned from Istanbul, that’s why my impressions are mostly fresh and bright. This was my first visit to Turkey, so I came up with a special delicacy to the selection of hotel, having read unpleasant reviews of other hotels. I hope that my opinion will help to somebody to make the right choice.

After reading many sites with reviews I’ve decided to spend a holiday week in Golden Horn Hotel Sultanahmet. It will be better to warn that almost all hotels in Sultanahmet area have relative star valuation, ie in fact they have no rating at all, but conditionally, for convenience and attraction of tourists, they are given star categories of all ranks and denominations. So it is of no surprise if stated in the booklet 4 star hotels will be 3 star upon arrival. As I was explained in the travel agency, star categories rise and decrease depending on the season.

Well, first, from general impressions, the rooms are really small, and combined toilet and shower are very little too. By the way, it’s funny but lavatory basins overlap with wash-bowls, so you can sit on them only shifting to the edge or leaning your elbows on the washstand. Balcony in ordinary rooms is rather decorative, not every person will be able to lodge there, but in the more expensive rooms there is enough space for a coffee table and two chairs, but still there’s too little space. But you don’t feel significant discomfort while moving along your room or going to the bathroom, you can nestle everywhere, all the necessary things in the bedroom are at hand without getting out of bed. All economy class rooms have the appropriate furnishings: cheap TV of local assembly with remote control, they are commonly called "suburban", Turkish, English, German and Italian channels. It seems to me, the hotel management does not believe Russian tourists for its priority customers. In addition there are no outputs for AV or any other means of third-party connections. So, you’d better take books and personal players with you.

The rooms are cozy from the first sight, but cold (in winter), moreover, corner rooms are blown by drafts from the balcony on the one hand and from windows and ventilation on the other. Air conditioning combined with the heater works pretty noisy and makes howling roar. Of the objects of decoration there are just a red carpet trampled with boots, dusty curtains and stale, smoky counterpanes embroidered with gold threads. Of the furniture there are beds, one two-level bedside-table, chest of drawers with a refrigerator, two mirrors in the bedroom and bathroom, rack for TV, built-in wardrobe, personal safe with electronic lock. It all looks very "worn", and technical equipment is quite outdated and unreliable.

The hotel offers 4 floors and a panoramic terrace adjacent to the restaurant, with a beautiful view on the major sights of Istanbul and the sea. By the way, almost all hotels in this area have such terraces, and in nearest Lady Diana hotel there are stationary binoculars also installed. The windows in many rooms overlook the courtyard where traders from neighboring shops, loving cats and homeless like to meet at night. Rooms with beautiful views of the sea are called Delux and have corresponding cost. Exit to the terrace is free, even in winter you can drink tea there, inhaling the healing wind of the Bosphorus. As about entertainment, seagulls often descend to the tourists, waiting to get a piece of bun in thanks for posing in front of the lens.

The hotel is located in the yard, some distance from one of the central streets of Sultanahmet. In my opinion, location is its main advantage. Since it is located in the heart of busy tourist area, you will be protected from the noise of passing cars, crackle, creaking trams and shouts of scurrying barkers and tourists. Two steps away from it there is McDonald’s and private snack-bars where one can have a rich lunch and eat kebabs for 20-30 lire. Local shops of gold, carpets and souvenirs offer range of goods at a much higher price than at the same Grand Bazaar, but I was lucky it is located at a distance of two tram stops, and the Russian area of leather and fur "Lolelit" - at a distance of three.

Now regarding the staff and food! Breakfasts are monotonous, as everywhere indeed. It seems they don’t change the menu every day, they have soaked fries, dry rolls and the food looks dried up and stale. Also they do not always have a range of green tea, they’ve added it to the tray only after my request. Tipping is not just welcomed, but simply morally extorted. For example, each overdue day when we "forgot" to leave a couple of dollars, the cleaner with a particular intent tossed small coins on our table, hinting that if we are so greedy and poor, then she will donate alms to us, and after that she covered our beds with dirty sheets. The staff’s attitude to Russian visitors is cool and cautious, but rather neutral, which is especially noticeable when referring to people from EU countries. For example, the chef or manager of the hall often approach them during breakfast and wish to enjoy their meal, the waiters are trying to please in every possible way. By the way, hotel staff don’t speak or understand Russian, but may speak a few phrases in French or German.

Despite these drawbacks, the hotel can be called entirely appropriate to the proportions of money and quality and be recommended to your friends.

I stayed here for 3 nights. I liked my room and everything with one exception! One guy from the front desk should not work there and take a customer service position. Great full breakfast every morning. Rooms aren’t new but very clean.

Do not expect 4 stars when you stay here. Customer service leaves something to be desired. Rooms look old but clean. The wireless connectivity is terrible. Breakfast basic but free. I’d give this hotel 3 stars based on the hotel condition and service.

The Golden Horn hotel’s located right in the heart of the old city, we liked taking long walks in the city till late. Front desk staff was very friendly\ view from the roof restaurant was amazing. We had a dinner in the hotel one evening, but for some reason wine was not on the menu.

We stayed in room four zero nine it was great. We had a magnificent view from the balcony, liked the breakfast in terrace restaurant/ all in all in was good stay.

It was very convenient to have a free internet service in the hotel. Perfect location I nwalking distance from Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace..Grand bazaar blu Mosque. Very friendly people Mr Muzlum and Miss Susane and they re speaking English pretty well

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised, it’s the best customer service I’ve ever experienced. Golden Horn is a great choice for those who is in Istanbul for the first time. Hotels location is perfect and the roof restaurant was nice, it was greta to have breaksfast up there. we had a comfortable stay, the lobby of hotel looks like a palace, so does the room inside.

Golden Horn hotel’s location was greta for us. Enjoyed the view at Golden Horn. Hotels staff was very nice people, very caring. Overall, it was nice and clean. They had a very versatile choice at breakfast.

Golden Horn Hotel is close to main sighseeing points. They have a secure parking area,great value. The roof restaurant on the top had a magnificent view at dlue mosque, Aya Sophia and Bosporus. Wine and alcoholic beverages at low price! Menu choices were confusing my husband said, I like it.

It was great to have breakfast at the roof terrace, the view is magic!

I loved the location of this hotel its terrific and the view at Blue Mosque from the terrace restaurant is awesome!! There was a wide range of food choices at tbreakfast. Everything was excellent we would love to be back someday!

When we arrived the agent at the reception offered to be moved to a better room for an extra-charge of 40 lire, we didn’t like it. but other than that the hotel was pretty nice and brakfast was fabulous. My gf and I had a dinner one day, the view from the terrace couldn’t be better! But it was busy in the restaurant. Our complaint would be that we wernt informed that the hotel didn’t serve any alcojol, with dinner

We had a pretty big room with a balcony. Also liked it in the terrace restaurant that had a beautiful view at the sea side and city. Out breakfast was great. Very close to all main sightseeing places, it was good for walking. Liked observing the nite life on the street. I think the hotels location is awwsome. All people from front desk were very nice.

We stayed at this hotel last year and I can say that this hotel has changed for the worse. It used to be a fairly decent place to stay but not anymore. The guy who checked us in provided a poor customer service and so did the rest of the staff. Our room was not cleaned very well. I was also disappointed with the breakfast selections. I had to eat out.

We had rest in Istanbul in January 2008 and stayed in Golden Horn Sultanahmet. Good hotel, clean, silent, polite personnel. Rooms are not big, but in double room for two persons there is enough space, don’t worry :)