Hotel Best Western President - Istanbul

Average rating:  5.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2008

The hotel was very nice, so were the guests and service was good. The surroundings was not what we had expected, no nice restaurants or cafés in the neighbourhood. The hotel was rather near the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Top Kapi Palace. We will warn guests to take the yellow taxis near the named properties.

Guest name: Lillemor Silenstam, Sweden

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Dec 2007

If you are staying in Istanbul as a tourist, the location can not be better! Just everyhing you want to see are within walking distance. The view from the breakfast room at 6th floor is amazing! One complain could be that the beds are really hard.

Guest name: LR, Sweden

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: 

stayed in Dec 2007

I found this hotel to be well placed within walking distance from all attractions. The staff was excellent and could not have been more helpful. I suggest that you go to one of the many travel agents and book any tour as we saved more than 400 euros by doing this for a Gallipoli tour versus the Hotel suggested one.We used this as our benchmark for the other Hotels we stayed in whilst touring . I would definitely recommend this Hotel and have written to Best Western commneding their staff as I considered they went beyond the mark to be helpful.

Guest name: TC, Australia

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2007

We were the first time in this hotel and we recommand this hotel to everyone who wich to travel to istanbul.

Guest name: MM, Switzerland

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Nov 2007

Hotel Best Western President was the gem among others we stayed at in Istanbul. The location is excellent; just a cobblestone step off the beaten path to the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque, as well as the tram. All of the hotels are similar size, but The President is priced the best and also has free internet. The complimentary breakfast is abundant and includes a stunning view of the city. The staff was kind enough to store some of our luggage while we traveled. The best asset of this hotel is the staff. Every one of them was polite, attentive and prompt. By the time we left, it felt like we were saying goodbye to family. We chose This Best Western President Hotel because of the comments listed on Venere. We did the same thing when we went to Spain, choosing the Best Western Cervantes in Sevilla. Both choices exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend the President Hotel. If you have any unmet needs, just communicate. It is their aim to please.

Guest name: CJ, USA

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Group

stayed in Nov 2007

The position of the hotel is excellent the sights easily walkable or the tram stop is only a short distance. But the rooms are so hot even in winter and the Air Con does not work. Also many rooms have interconnecting doors through which TV noise and conversations travel easily. If you afford it upgrade to a junior suite as this resolves all the problems or make sure you take earplugs and a fan.

Guest name: KF, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Nov 2007

Eines der besten Großstadthotels hinsichtlich Ausstattung, Lage und Service (und ich war schon in fast allen Großstädten bis auf Lissabon). Sehr gutes Preis-Leistungsverhältnis und gute Lage mitten in der Altstadt. EMPFEHLENSWERT!

Guest name: GD, Austria

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Oct 2007

The hotel is in a good location, only an 8 minute walk to the main sights of Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace. The Grand Bazzar is even closer, 4 minutes away. The single room was of a large size with a large bed, it may have been a double room with a single occupancy rate. Satellite tv with about 20 channels including BBC World and CNN. The breakfast room is on the top floor with a panoramic view of the city. The choice for the buffet breakfast was excellent. When I am in Istanbul again I will stay at this hotel again.

Guest name: RP, Ireland

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Only thing we didn't like was the 'English Pub'. A normal hotel style bar would be much nicer.

Guest name: CL, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Jul 2007

My parents liked very much the hotel. They were actually upgraded to a junior suite ! The room was perfect. Nicely located in the old city next to the bazaar and near the tramway to reach the modern city, the right place for tourists. The hotel roof is great for a last drink before sleeping. Will come back here for sure.

Guest name: MYOURA HUYNH QUAN DAT, France

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: with my sister

stayed in May 2007

There are just some rooms which have saves, something is very importent from my point of viwe. I miss tings like thoosepast, showerhot and I had to ask something that should be a matter of course for a hotel which costs 109 £ night. Lack of drain in the bathroom, which made it wet and uncomfortable. Good luck

Guest name: SS, Norway

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Apr 2007

The Hotel Staff are warm and competent and made every effort to assist and provide good service. They opened the kitchen at 4:30 AM twice to offer us breakfast because we had early planes to catch (what a wonderful feeling of being looked after!). Their Staff is the Hotel's best asset. The rooms were awful HOT but, apparently, Management's business strategy consist in NOT using A/C system during April and October to "save" money so all the guests suffered (as expected, management provided lame excuses but the truth is clear and guests talked about it openly). Walking distance from SultanAhmet Square and the Tram (which is cheap and clean, to go to Dolmabahce Palace and Galata Bridge). Not related to Best Western Hotel but important: Tourists beware ! The sales people at the Grand Bazaar are aggresive and arrogant. If you make eye contact with them they will engage you and put a lot of pressure on you to make a sale, but if you don't buy they frown, drop you and give you nasty, even insulting, looks and comments in Turkish (all the salesmen seem to use this wrong sales approach). Someone should provide these people a crash course in basic sales courtesy. Turkey is worth visiting; is loaded with historicl sites and wonders to see and admire.

Guest name: Mario Solimano, Canada

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jan 2007

It really looks as you see it on Venere’s website and it has an excellent location in Sulthanamet: in five minutes by walk you can reach the grand Bazar, in ten the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sofia, etc. There’s also the tram stop very close to the hotel: it takes just ten minutes to reach the Galata’s bridge and a minute after you’ll be in Beyoglu under the Galata’s Tower. The hotel is really luxurius, and you have a great international breakfast, included in the price, that takes place in a beautiful hall at the sixth floor with a wonderful outlook on the Marmara sea that you’ll never forget!! The room was large enough, everithing was really clean and the staff kind and smiling. P.S. From Ataturk airport you can reach it by taxi with 15 € euros max – don’t spend more and contract!! I spent there five nights and I had a great time!!

Guest name: MN, Italy

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Dec 2006

I arrived at 8am from the airport, expecting a 4 hour wait for a room. Reception staff were courteous and explained it had been a full house the previous night, and contacted housekeeping several times for me to check availability of a cleaned room. Within an hour I was in my room. Location in the Old City is excellent. Easy walking distance to Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque and many other tourist spots. The full buffet western style breakfast included in the price was very good value. An appreciated guest service was 4 computers available for Internet and Emails in their upstairs lounge. Only criticism was that "individual controlled air conditioning" was heat only, which could not be changed or set to just fan. However the window would be opened to let in cool air. I like air condx fan as white-noise in hotel rooms to shield against inevitable corridor noise.

Guest name: Geoffrey Goodall, Georgia

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2006

Our stay in this hotel was nice. The front desk seems to always be busy though (and we had to wait around for a while every time we needed something). The breakfast was really good and the rooms were spacious. Overall, a great place to stay when visiting Istanbul. I would return to this hotel.

Guest name: AC, USA

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2006

Hotel muy centrico. recomendable por precio /calidad y situación. Esta al lado del Gran Bazar. Las habitaciones son medianas, Mejor elija una que no tenga puerta de comunicación con la de al lado (por el ruido del vecino). Buffet correcto, con una vista maravillosa en la terraza. Personal muy amable y atento.

Guest name: AF, Spain

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Jan 2006

We stayed for almost 7 days in January 2006 and were very happy. The hotel is really in the middle of the old city and you can easily reach the Bazar, the Blue Mosque or Haiga Sofia. The staff of the hotel is very friendly and always willing to help you. Also the room where you can have breakfast in the morning is fantastic. Yoy have a wonderful overview over the Marmara Sea and the variety of the buffet is vast. We've been twice to the sports facilities and there also its clean and you can have fun, although the pool is not to swim but to have fun because its small and round. All together we enjoyed staying in this hotel and imagine that in summer it could be even better because you can sit on the terrasse and enjoy the beautiful view in the sun.

Guest name: Nicolette Baldi, Russia

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Single corporate traveller

stayed in Nov 2005

My stay at the BW President was for just a little over 6 hours. I arrived around 11 pm and left at around 5:00 am, and it was a wonderful experience. I was truly surprised to see 2 persons at the reception greet me by name and with welcoming smiles. My check-in was swift. Room service (for dinner) was super fast - 15 mins, My checkout was even faster. Even though my booking did not have it, I got a free alcoholic cocktail on arrival. The whole experience was a very welcoming one. Even though I did not get to use the facilities, I'd still recommend the hotel to anyone due to its fantastic quality/price ratio, and great staff. Cheers

Guest name: Harsh Kaul, India

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

The President Hotel is U-Shape formed placed in the middle of Istanbul leather boutiques and close enough to walk to Sultanameth which is really great. Clearly if your room is not in the middle of the U you will need to deal with the noise of the surroundings... or just to watch the other side of the U. Fortunately we were in middle and our room was really clean (I am Swiss) except that there was some (very old) water leaks probably just above us and there was water drops everywhere close to the window. But this is a detail there. Dinner at the hotel was always very good and service very kind. Reception is so so especially when you need to exchange money. Wellness was OK provided you pay 10 Euros per visit to Sauna/Whirlpool area. Fitness was free but nothing special. Breakfast is included and it's not so bad at all... Just don't expect too many fresh juices and so.All together we were happy there.

Guest name: Fabio Poroli, Switzerland

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2005

On hotel site and venere has one photo with bluring outside the hotel. Nears of hotel has many old and poor streets.

Guest name: Hikmet Gumus, Turkey

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Oct 2005

I strongly recommend this hotel for its convenience, accomadations, and value.

Guest name: Steven Goldberg, USA

Average rating:  6.1

Guest type: Single corporate traveller

stayed in Sep 2005

The bathroom was clean but very little and looking old, the room was good and clean but looking old.

Guest name: CC, Italy

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Jul 2005

Great services.Good location for shopping and restaurants.Blue Mosque and Sophia only a 15 minute walk away or catch the tram and its 5 minutes away. Beautiful breakfast with amazing views of Istanbul waterways!

Guest name: LL, Canada