Sorry if this has been asked before, but I looked around and couldnt find another thread on this.
My husband and I (along with our baby who will be almost 1 at the time) are going to Pakistan in April. We decided to fly with Turkish Airlines and have a 3 day stop over in Istanbul. This is the perfect opportunity to see another place on route.
We have been researching hotels like crazy but all the reviews on Trip Advisor are so varied. We want to be close to the attractions, but we want a nice hotel with a normal sized room (apparently that is a problem the closer you get to the sites - the rooms are tiny). We dont mind being a little further away, as long as the tram is close and we can get to the sites easily. Our budget is about $150 USD per night.
Also, can you guys recommend good sites to see and good places to eat?
Thanks so much!!
Where to stay in Turkey?
Oohhh....I'm planning a trip to Turkey this year too! I've been told by friends and family to stay in the old town, to be within walking distance of the major sights?! My kids are much older, 8 & 10, and I don't plan on spending much time in the actual hotel, so smaller rooms are ok I guess, however, with a family of 5, will I have to book 2 rooms?
Also, I want to plan to go somewhere out of Istanbul as well, so far I've been reading up on Princes' Islands...any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
We actually visited turkey last April with our 1 1/2 year old toddler. We stayed at Uyan hotel. When i did my research to find the hotel…this is what i looked for. Large room (since we were also traveling to Pakistan afterwards and had a lot of luggage,) Bath tub in the bath room…to give my little one baths, safe box in the room (as many hotels don’t offer that in Istanbul and i needed it for gold n stuff,) mini refrigerator for toddlers milk and stuff, the roof top to be toddler safe (as many didn’t have complete railing and a toddler could totally slip out.) This Hotel offered all of this in our budget. They gave us a room on the first floor which was great with a stroller and stuff. BUT only issue we had was their AC was not on…common practice in Istanbul during the time of the year. BUT we didn’t need it either. The weather was very nice and we never needed the AC or a fan.
The room had one king size bed and one twin size. The breakfast was just ok.
The hotel is walking distance to almost every attraction (we walked to the grand bazaar as well but that was a long walk and for the ferry was a downhill walk but the return was uphill and horrible with a stroller.)
We stayed for 4 and half days and were not able to see everything…so find a hotel close to the main attractions was a key. He booked thru the hotel and got a better deal that way…they provided us pickup service from the airport and we added drop off service too.
If either of you need additional information, don’t hesitate to message me. I can recd. places and tell you to stay away from few 
pictures from the roof top:
Also if either of you or your family is traveling on a pakistani passport…get the visa a head of time. It took my husband 2 1/2 hour to get his visa at the airport and my toddler and i were waiting.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Here are few place that we visited:
*Blue Mosque (not very stroller friendley, go a little before namaaz time as the Masjid is in use of course.) will be done with an hour
*Topkapi Palace (very nice and you need a good 4-5 hours for the whole place, a lot of the places don't allow stroller but its safe to park them outside)
-Basilica Cistern (not much to see but very nice, they do allow strollers but there are a lot of steps...but totally worth it.)
-Hagia Sophia (beautiful place, the top level is a must see but not with a stroller, my hubby and i took turns going up.)
-Arasta Bazaar ( I LOVED this little Bazaar, two minute walk from our hotel...very peaceful at night...there is a restaurant that has pretty horrible food but a free show of a dancing Dervish ...we watched it every night...most shows are priced pretty high and don't allow kids/babies)
-Fountain front of the Blue Mosque ...the fountain changes colors and is very pretty...we walked around it everything time. Is the center of all the attraction and you can take beautiful pictures of blue mosque and hagia sophia too. They have a lot of food stands around this area so you can enjoy fresh watermalon in the afternoon or roasted corn in the evening.
grand bazaar - we visited but only spent 30 minutes since we didn't need to buy anything :(
we also visited few museums (mosic one inside the arasta bazaar and is pretty neat to see) but the bigger museum are not very stroller friendly.)
Make sure you pack some light jackets... it get pretty cold in the evening.
Med Cezir Restaurant was one of the best food we had their. a little pricey though. They don't serve american style and the serving size is much smaller.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
My husband and I will be travelling on Canadian passports and my son on an American passport. Do any of us need to get visas?
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
^ I know for American passport you have to get a visa but you can at the airport and its very quick. Should be the same for canadian passport but you might want to check on their website.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Stay in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul, you'll be within walking distance of the three main tourist attractions (blue mosque, hagha Sophia and basicilla cisterns) as well as plenty of restaurants and shops.
Taxis are cheap and plentiful if you need to travel anywhere else.
As for hotels, well when we went we stayed at the Four Seasons as I'd read a lot about how it used to be a former prison and was intrigued. It was a beautiful hotel, in fact I think it's been featured in several of the 'Top hotels in the world' type guides but I don't think I would or could stay there again as now I have a toddler and need to choose more child friendly hotels.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Istanbul is best place in Turkey to stay. I suggest You to stay here.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Interesting info on the visa policy for visiting Turkey, “e-visas” are replacing the standard stamped/sticker visas. After April 2014, visa on arrival will no longer be available
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Great info.. I will be following this thread.
We are planning a 3-4 days layover in turkey in sept/October with a toddler and six month old inshallah.
Please share any tips and tricks :-)
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
February is good time to visit turkey specially Istanbul. Istanbul is main attraction of Turkey for their visitors.
3 days are not enough for explore Istanbul, but you will be able to attend main attraction of Istanbul. Istanbul is little bit expensive but don't worry you will find your accommodation easily. Well reputation hotels are generally charge $180 to $250 per night.
I think Sevila Hotel will be fine for you. Sevila Hotel is located 100 metres from the Blue Mosque,in the beautiful Sultanahmet district. Call them for further detail at +90 212 458 6874.
Re: Where to stay in Turkey?
Hotel Nena in Istanbul is brilliant.. It has really good reviews on Tripadvisor and Booking.com if you have a look..
Very central boutique hotel, gorgeous rooms and really nice service :)
