Hotel Historia - Special Class - Istanbul

Hotel highlights? I don't think so. This hotel is a stinker - literally! The bathroom smelt terrible; something wrong with the drains, I think. And lots of other issues make this one of the worst value for money places I've ever stayed in. The rooms are small and a bit dingy - not enough lights and not all working (I had to go to reception the first night to get a replacement lightbulb). One tiny plus was that my room had a little balcony with a nice view (which I paid extra for; silly me). But what the hotel website discreetly doesn't mention is that a railway line runs right next door so if you're a light sleeper expect to be woken through the night by trains thundering past. If you sleep through that, the thin walls will ensure that you'll be woken by the sounds of activity in neighbouring rooms - particularly plumbing and bathroom noises; I got that in stereo. Nice. And even if the bathroom noises don't get you, the infernal, hades-like heat will. The heating system was in overdrive and there was no way to adjust it so the temperature in the room would have been about 30 degrees. The only way to reduce it a little was to sleep with the window and/or the balcony door open. Very secure. Not. And speaking of security, my friend and I discovered that our room keys were interchangeable. That might not have been so terrifying if the hotel had had enough lock boxes for all guests, but they didn't. Any time we asked they told us there were none spare. Should I go on to mention the cockroaches, the toilet paper dispenser dying and the toilet itself not working properly? Or the lumpy and uncomfortable bed? I guess I wouldn't have any complaint about this hotel if I'd paid about 50 euros a night. But they charge a whole heap more than that, which makes it a ripoff. The favourable comments in the visitor book must be from people who had never stayed in a hotel before or whose previous hotel experience was downmarket youth hostels. I give this place a big fat thumbs down.

It was like our standard, the breakfast was very good, but the rooms not so confortable.

Nice hotel in the very centre of Sultanahmet. Price is equal to quality. Ask for the room on the upper flors - you will have the sea view.

My wife and I enjoy Hotel Historia and will hopefully fully come back again. This time, we were unfortnate who had noisy neighbours in our first room. This is something the sound isolation of your rooms generally cannot take. Your very friendly staff should show some teeth in such cases.

This was a delightful hotel very well located in the old city. We had a small but pleasant room overlooking the courtyard where we enjoyed the superb breakfast. The single internet computer was in constant use. next time we will bring our own netbook!

As most people will say, the room is very small. Just enough room for the bed and a little space to walkaround. Definitely would have been inadequate for more than 2 adults. The bathroom is small as well. There is a nice balcony in the room which I could look up the street towards the Blue Mosque. I could also see to my left the Bosphorous (from the balcony). The staff was friendly and helpful. The breakfast was really good with a lot of variety.

I have no hesitation in recommending the Historia, especially to visitors to Istanbul who prefer to stay in and around the Sultanahmet historical district. The hotel was excellent value for money. The staff were friendly and professional; the rooms clean although a little small; and the breakfast featured a wide selection to suit all tastes. Assuming we return to Istanbul sooner or later, my first point of contact will be the Historia.

An attractive hotel in an ideal location with easy access to restaurants and all major sights. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful. We stayed in a room on the first floor with a balcony and sea view which I would recommend. The only negative was that it could be a little noisy at times.

We stayed at the Historia for one night after our Med cruise. The location is wonderful. It is located a block from the Blue Mosque, in a quaint area full of boutique hotels and resturants. We are a family of four, so finding a hotel with family rooms was our deciding factor. The room was clean and spacious, but had no view (standard family room) and the train ran directly behind. Even though there was a huge street party near by and the trains running, we had no trouble sleeping with the windows closed. The breakfast was very nice and the garden made for a lovely setting. Overall, the room was nice enough, the staff was wonderful and helpful, and the location was perfect.

I would suggest Hotel Historia because: it is perfectly located it is clean and confortable it has a very good breakfast it provides good services

Quiet and excellent location. Very good breakfast buffet.

This is a fantastic hotel location-wise: Steps away from the Arasta Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. The neighborhood if very cute, with lots of other small hotels and cute restaurants and cafes. Their shuttle service is excellent as well: timely and very courteous. The only issues we had were: 1) Minor: There is a commuter train that passes right behind the hotel. If you are a light sleeper, I'd make sure you ask them for a room that's not within earshot of the train. 2) The price quoted was in EUR, but they didn't use that day's conversion rate when I went to pay. Be sure to get a price quote in your local currency! But overall, this was a great hotel for our 4 day/3 night stay in Istanbul!

Great location, great staff, very helpful. Breakfast was wonderful and lots of tasty variety.

A very nice small hotel in a quiet area below the Blue Moaque which is only five minutes walk away. Some rooms have access to a roof terrace, others also had great vews to the Bosporus. The rooms are simple but very clean and the service is excellent. There is a very good breakfast buffet. The staff is very friendly. The railway is nearby, but this didn't disturb me. There is little traffic there at night. All in all I had a great week in this hotel. Would book it again.

Perfect location - safe & near everything for a firts timer to Istanbul. Picked up at airport & taken quickly to hotel within price. Great Views. Fairly decent Breakfast. Charming staff willing to help. Slightily rundown room but excelent for the price. Overall a most enjoyable stay.

My family of 4 stayed in a 3 bed room looking south towards the sea of marmara on the first floor. There were rooms above and below, some will have views, some wont, some will look towards the breakfast patio, which is below ground, but open to the air. The room was very comfortable, clean with good windows (and dark curtains for sleeping). The beds were comfortable. There was a table and chair in the room and a TV, The bath was small, but adequate. There was a computer for free internet access in the lobby. The breakfast is served in a patio (no view). It is quite substantial. The hotel is a little hard to find, at the bottom of a dead end, next to Hotel Sumingen. It is is a marvelous historic neighboorhood, with many restaurants, a 3 minute walk from the blue mosque and Aya Sophia. For 80 Euros for 4 including breakfast in this part of town, this is a deal. REally nice staff. They will do a free airport pick up if you stay 3 nights, only 20 or 25 euros if less than 2 nights.

We enjoyed staying here as a family. The hotel is minutes from the major sites and it was convenient to either walk or use the tram to go further afield. The manager (Zeynel), was very attentive. The only negative was that our room overlooked the railway line which was noisy at times, although it did not disturb us at night. We would stay here again !

Really pleased with the Venere website. Easy to find hotels at all prices. Maps give clear indication of position. Our stay at the Historia was too short but we would recommend it as an excellent centre for exploring Istanbul. It's on a quiet street in easy walking distance of all the main sights and the Bosphorous. Staff were really helpful.

Excellent location, excellent service, an overall excellent hotel. Cleanliness of the room was top notch and I highly recommend this hotel to others.

The advert in your website is wrong, they don't offer airport transfers.

The Historia is wonderfully close to major SultanAhmet landmarks & transport, but in a quiet street among other small hotels. Plenty of nearby restaurants and a handy shuttle service to the airport. My room was compact but very comfortable with a small balcony and great view of the water,and its own bathroom (plenty of hot water & good shower). Staff were friendly, helpful and welcoming, & spoke excellent English. Free internet connection in the foyer/reception is a bonus. Breakfast was fresh & delicious and served in a charming garden. Fellow guests seemed to be mainly young European travellers. I'd certainly stay at Historia again - excellent value for money, so close to Topkapi, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Cistern, Bazaar and restaurants, and near to fascinating shops and good value restaurants.