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Every year lots of tourists come to Istanbul only for shopping. Nowadays some areas of Istanbul are entirely commercial, world-famous with their products among shopping tourists.
One of the most famous trading districts of Istanbul are Laleli and Beyazit. All goods are sold in separate stores and there are no shopping centers in this area. Shops are everywhere in these districts, they are stretching for so long that it may seem they will never end. These areas are a true paradise for those who like shopping. The most distinguishing feature of Laleli and Beyazit is that everything is on sale here wholesale and retail - both expensive elite products and widely available goods. You can buy everything you want here: textile, leather goods, shoes, jewelry articles, furs, lingerie, accessories and much more.
Laleli and Beyazit areas are within one tram stop from each other (less than 1 km), you can easily walk from one district to another in 5-7 minutes and this is what shopping tourists like most of all.
A few words about Laleli hotels:
Zurich Hotel - is one of the best-known hotels in Laleli district. Zurich Hotel is a true city legend of Istanbul. Apart from excellent service quality, room furnishings and cuisine, Zurich also has one of the best discos in Laleli district. Several restaurants, indoor and outdoor pool, bathhouse, sauna... This hotel is an affordable luxury because of 5 star level service and 4 star prices. Sultanahmet sightseeings are just within a 15-20 minutes walk. The terrace on the hotel roof provides a magnificent view. 4 star hotel.
Grand Washington Hotel - has been lately thoroughly repaired, all furnishings are ideally new. Rooms are small but cozy. All rooms have TV, telephone, mini-bar, air conditioner, safe box, hair dryer and shower. Grand Washington Hotel has parking, currency exchange, car rental, restaurant-terrace on the hotel’s roof. 3 star hotel.
Gold Hotel - features rooms that have telephone, shower, toilet, bathroom, radio, satellite TV, mini-bar, conditioner. The hotel itself has 2 restaurants, parking, laundry, dry-cleaning, cafe, nightclub, jacuzzi. Gold Hotel is situated almost in the very center of Laleli district. 3 star hotel.
See full list of hotels in Laleli district »
A few words about Beyazit district hotels:
Baron Hotel - is situated in the center of Beyazit trading area and surrounded by stores, but it is in a short distance from famous sights of Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Santa Sophia Cathedral, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Golden Bazaar (Grand Bazaar). While staying at Baron Hotel you will combine your shopping with interesting walks along historical part of Istanbul. There is a roof terrace facing amazing Bosphorus. 4 star hotel.
Barcelo Saray Hotel - it is also situated in direct proximity to main Istanbul sightseeings. The rooms are comfortable and full of light. Nice staff and good cuisine. 4 star hotel.
Best Western The President Hotel - it’s great for business, entertainment and shopping. Here are three main advantages of this hotel: modern rooms, exceptional cuisine of the restaurant and great surroundings: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar. All this makes the hotel a desirable place to stay for tourists from all over the world.
See full list of hotels in Beyazit district »
No doubt, city shopping centers are the essence of commercial Istanbul. Hardly any city in the world has such a great number of big modern shopping centers abounding in the variety of goods. Istanbul trading centers are among the largest in Europe. They are like big trading cities with highly-developed infrastructure, you can literally live in many commercial centers of Istanbul. Istanbul commercial centers are also convenient because they are surrounded by a great number of hotels which makes shopping process very comfortable.
A few words about the most famous Istanbul shopping malls:
Kanyon Shopping Mall, Levent district is a trade city with a shopping mall, 30-storeyed office building and 22-storeyed residential building. The entire complex is designed as a canyon. It has more than 150 (!) stores. Special ventilation system allows you to spend as much time in Kanyon as you wish.
Metrocity Shopping Mall, Levent district is a big commercial center with its largest part situated underground. Only one big floor is on the surface, the other 3 are underground. Shoe stores in this mall are the pride of Metrocity. Here we have a wide range of high-quality shoes at quite moderate prices.
Akmerkez Shopping Mall, Levent district is a 4-storeyed mall with 4 parkings and lots of average sized shops. There is a big Beymen department that specializes in first class goods. Department’s sections are presented on each floor. Like all Istanbul shopping malls Akmerkez has both foreign and local brands of inexpensive products of high quality.
Since Levent area is of little touristic interest except for stores, it’s much more convenient to choose hotel in Taksim from where you can easily reach Levent shopping centers either by tram (4 stops) or by taxi, especially if you choose Akmerkez which is quite far from the other two.
A few words about Taksim hotels:
Butik Star Hotel - this old hotel has a magnificent view at the Bosphorus strait. Comfortable rooms, high-quality service of a 4 star rated hotel allow all the tourists to become utterly absorbed in the oriental atmosphere of Turkey in its most European-styled city. 4 star hotel.
Grand Star Hotel - is an optimal choice for those going to Istanbul for work and leisure. Amazing views of the Bosphorus and city downtown, hotel’s highly-developed infrastructure suitable for congresses, business meetings and seminars perfectly fit your business part of trip. Closeness to Dolmabahce Palace, Istiklal Avenue and Saint Antoine Church matches your excursion and leisure purposes. 4 star hotel.
Inka Hotel - is a cozy 3 star hotel located in Istanbul historical and commercial center, ancient Pera. Inka Hotel offers you a great stay in a hotel with Wi-Fi and comfortable, spacious rooms, among the monuments of Constantinople of the Genoese era. 3 star hotel.
Santa Pera Hotel - offers a unique possibility of staying in Istanbul "three in one". It is situated close to the biggest city shopping centers, places with heavy nightlife and in a few minute drive to historical center of Sultanahmet. It also offers well-developed infrastructure, excellent food and comfort. 4 star hotel.
See full list of hotels in Taksim district »
Olivium Outlet Center, Zeytinburnu district is one of the most popular commercial centers of Istanbul. It is located between the airport and Sultanahmet district. There are 120 stores representing the Turkish and International brands. The whole infrastructure is highly-developed. There are 6 cinemas, bowling-club, world-famous fast food restaurants like "Burger King", "McDonald’s", "KFC", music bookstore "D&R" of 300 square meters. Other center’s advantages are children’s entertainment center "Kiddyland", free parking and special equipment for visitors with disabilities. There are no hotels in close proximity to this commercial center, so it is unnecessary to stay namely in Zeytinburnu. You should use a taxi to get there anyway, so you can easily choose any hotel in more popular touristic areas such as Taksim, Sultanahmet, Laleli and Sirkeci.
The following Istanbul shopping centers have positive feedbacks from customers:
Cevahir Shopping Mall, Sisli/Mecidiyekoy district and City’s Mall, Nisantasi area. BC Hotel is located next to these shopping centers, but you can also choose hotels in Taksim and Sultanahmet because it is better to use a taxi anyway.
Finally, we should mention Nautilus (Carrefour) Shopping Center, Kadikoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul. It does not make sense to choose a hotel on the Asian side of the city only for shopping in this mall. It is better to stay in the European part of Istanbul and just to go there by taxi.
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