Wow Topkapi Palace

Wow Hotels

by Erkmen about World of Wonder Hotels in Turkey

WoW hotels are a new chain hotels(Resorts) serving in Turkey with its superior high quality..

The first resort of the group has been established in Aksu region of Antalya and named as "WOW Topkapi palace.. The design and decoration has been inspired from the Topkapi palace in Istanbul..

Afterwards they have the Bodrum Resort and Bodrum Beach Club located near to Bodrum..

And recently they have established the "WOW Kremlin palace resort".. Which has the best quality and service at the moment..

All Resorts are "all inclusive" type.. And if they fit your budget, they are one of the best alternative you can choose from Turkey.. All activities, All kind of sport facilities are free of charge..

they have delicate open buffets..

Your home away from home

by piotr-aleksander about Hotel MED CEZIR

The great place to stay when in Istanbul. Super location right in the heart of Sultanahmet quarter, just minutes from all the major attactions (the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace). Erol and his great staff will make you feel like coming to visit family ritght from the minute you walk in. Restaurant that serves breakfast downstaires. Also great for other meals. If you ask, Erol will organize a safe parking space for your car right in front of the hotel, at no additional cost! Strongly recommend. Family atmosphere, great location, close to all the major tourist attractions.

Istanbul
LESS THAN $10/night...

by erkankiraz

Istanbul
LESS THAN $10/night
Istanbul Hostel, Restaurant & Bar
Address: 35 Kutlu Gun Sokak (Next to the Four Seasons Hotel)
Sultanahmet
Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-516-9380
Fax: 90-212-516-9384
E-mail: info@valide.com
If you like champagne, but only have a beer budget, then visit Istanbul’s newest and classiest hostel. Clean dorm beds ($5-$8) and doubles ($15-$20), full service restaurant and bar with wide-screen TV. Magnificent roof top views. Minutes to the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and all the major sites in the Historic District. Open 24-hours.
GUESTHOUSES AND HOTELS $40 - $60/night
Hotel Cevri Kalfa
Address: Divanyolu Cad. No. 16
Sultanahmet, Istanbul, TURKEY 34410
Phone: 90-212-511-9110 (4 lines)
Fax: 90-212-512-5644
E-mail: cevriho@ibm.net
Hotel Cevri Kalfa is located along the tram that goes to both the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market. And it’s less than 200 meters to the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia's , and the underground Cisterns. Practical, clean rooms all with private bath. Breakfast is served on the terrace bar that offers a beautiful view of the Blue Mosque. English and French spoken. Also, next door you can visit the Old Bazaar and the famous Vitamin Restaurant. Doubles-$35, Singles-$40, Triples-$50.
HOTELS $60-$80/night
Hotel Turkuaz
Address: Kadirga Cinci Meydan No. 36
Eminonu
Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-518-1897
90-212-516-0862
Fax: 90-212-517-3380
E-mail: hotelturkuaz@garanti.net.tr
hotelturkuaz@yahoo.com
In the heart of old Istanbul you can find the city’s only original Ottoman mansion that now serves as a hotel - the Hotel Turkuaz. This quiet 14-room hotel offers all the hospitality you expect to find in a small hotel with services you’d expect in the largest, such as its own Turkish bath, 24-hour-room service, faxing/secretarial services, and a car park. The Pasha and Sultan Rooms are most popular with honeymooners. It is close to the famous sights of Sultanahmet and the Kumkapi fish restaurants. Standard Room - $50. Pasha’s Room and Sultan's Room- $80.
HOTEL VALIDE SULTAN KONAGI
Address: Cankurtaran Mah. Ishakpasa Cad. Kutlugun Sokak No: 1
Sultanahmet
Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-517-6558
90-212-638-0600 (pbx)
Fax: 90-212-638-0705
E-mail: vsultan@hotelvalidesultan.com
Located just outside the walls of Topkapi Palace, the Hotel Valide Sultan Konagi is strikingly beautiful from its chocolate brown wooden exterior to its lovely, elegant rooms. It reflects its 19th Century heritage as an old Ottoman mansion while providing modern amenities such as an elevator and rooms with mini-bars and air conditioning. The roof top restaurant has a panoramic view of the sea, and from the other side enjoy the sight of the historic Blue Mosque. This family managed hotel is the perfect place to call home while in Istanbul.
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ANTAKYA
HOTELS LESS THAN $15/night
Hotel Guney
Phone: 90-326-214-9713/14/15
The Hotel Guney has clean rooms and is located near the bus station and shops.
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ANTALYA
PENSIONS LESS THAN $15/night
Ozmen Pansion
Address: Kilicarslan Mahallesi Zeytin Cikmazi No. 5
Antalya
Phone: 90-242-241-6505
Fax: 90-242-248-1534
E-Mail: OZMENPANSION@hotmail.com
Travelers from all over the world come to Ozmen Pansion in the midst of Old Kaleci. All the rooms in this large, family-owned pansion are clean and comfortable with nice bathrooms. Thirteen rooms have air conditioning and the rest have fans. A self-service breakfast with fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese and jams is included. There is a downstairs garden to enjoy. The rooftop terrace has a lovely sea view. But best of all, you'll find the staff very friendly and helpful. There is laundry service and they can help with air and bus tickets. E-mail your reservation to guarantee an air conditioned room or to arrange bus/airport pick-up for $5. Rooms with fan: Single - $10, Double - $15, Triple - $20, Quad - $25. Rooms with air conditioning: Single - $15, Double - $20, Triple - $25, Quad - $30.
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BODRUM
PENSIONS AND HOTELS
$10 - $20 /night
Zozo Pansiyon, Restaurant and Bar
Address: Ataturk Cad. Dere Sok No. 7
Phone: 90-252-316-1816
E-mail: zozobodrum@hotmail.com
Zozo Pansiyon has low-priced rooms with private baths plus a great relaxed atmosphere, and hot water is available 24-hours. Zozo’s is just a 100 meters from the sea and Bodrum’s famous bar street. On those very hot days, you’ll enjoy your cold beer in the vine-cooled patio. If you ask, they have window screens, which are great protection against mosquitoes. The friendly owner, Gurhan, speaks perfect English. Call if you want to be met at the bus station or the PTT. Doubles and Triples-$12 per person including breakfast! E-mail us for a reservation.
Oz-El Motel & Pansiyon
Address: Eski Cesme Mahallesi
Firkateyn Sokak No. 31/48400BODRUM
P.K. 524
Phone: 90-252-316-4015
90-252-313-6168
Fax: 90-252-316-4016
Oz-El Motel & Pansiyon is nestled in a residential area above the marina. It’s a good location for those taking morning ferries or charters. It’s well worth the $3 - $4 taxi fare to locate this hidden gem. Outside, you’ll find the traditional Mediterranean white-painted walls with blue window trim. Inside, there are very clean singles, doubles and triples. All with private bath and hot water. You’ll also enjoy the tree shaded patio and owner Yavuz Ozel!
HOTELS $80-$175/night
MERVE PARK HOTEL SUITES
Address: Ataturk Cadessi, 73
Bodrom
Phone: 90-252-316-1546
Fax: 90-252-316-1278
E-mail: info@mervepark.com
mervepark@yahoo.com
Merve Park is Bodrum's best small Continental style hotel. It's a special place. You enter its doors to find a refuge of cool air, a tranquil garden, a shimmering pool and rooms that are comfortable by any standard. A kind and attentive staff are at your service. The food, of course, is simply excellent. Merve Park is just 200 meters from the sea. From its 17 rooms and 2 suites you can choose from a sea or a garden view. Air conditioning, pool, 24 hour room service. Single - $100, Doubles - $140, Suites - $180. Discounts for stays longer than 7 days and other special programs. E-mail for details.
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CAPPADOCIA
LESS THAN $10/NIGHT
Surari's Place and S.O.S. Cave Pansion
Address: Andinli Mah.
Goreme
Phone: 90-384-271-2307
Fax: 90-384-271-2307
E-mail address: soscave@sosmotel.com.tr
sururi@sururisplace.com
Both Sururi's Place and SOS Cave Pansion have great panoramic views of the fairy chimneys in Goreme. Sururi's Place has a great atmosphere and a rooftop bar. Many rooms are triples and quads so it's easy to room together. At SOS your cave home has bright white walls covered with colorful carpets. Both places are close to the Goreme bus station. Call for free pick-up from Goreme, Nevsehir, Urgup. Rooms for every budget from $7 to $10 with breakfast and free beer from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Better prices for non-drinkers. Laundry, free Internet, Nomadic Tent, cafe and bar.
Sarihan Pansion
Address: Imran Mah. Gulluce Sok. No. 10
Urgup
Phone: 90-384-341-2264
90-384-341-8813
Fax: 90-384-341-5820
E-mail: sarihanpansion@hotmail.com
This family run pansion has clean, spacious rooms -- 3 with a balcony and garden view plus a line to hang your wash or wet towels. Rooms come with your choice of shared or private bath. It's on a quiet residential street just 200 meters from Urgup's bus/dolmus station. Breakfast is a special treat with homemade Turkish food from Yildez's kitchen including homemade jams.
Singles: $6-8, Doubles: $10-$12, Triples: $15.
HOTELS $25-$40/NIGHT
ALFINA HOTEL
Address: Istiklal Caddesi No. 27
Urgup
Phone: 90-384-341-4822
90-384-341-5339
Fax: 90-384-341-2424
E-mail: alfinahotel@hotmail.com
Alfina Hotel is an historically restored cave home built more than 200 years ago. It is the perfect combination of old and new. It has a simple decor with a modern bath in rooms that look much as they did when it was first built. The large cave rooms offer a perfect temperature and very enjoyable sleep. Whether you're a group of 1 or a group of 51, you will find two gracious hosts to help make your stay a memorable one. You will enjoy western or Turkish cooking in the restuarant and a beautiful view from the outdoor bar. Singles: $36, Doubles $53. E-mail for complete prices including full and half-board.

OLD GREEK HOUSE
Address: Mustafapasa (near Urgup)
Phone: 90-384-353-5306
90-384-353-5345 (evening)
Fax: 90-384-353-5141
In a small town in Cappadocia there is an Old Greek House that is unlike any hotel in all of Turkey. It’s 250-year-old architecture is beautiful. The old frescoes displays workmanship that’s a long lost art. There are 14 rooms (32 beds) with modern bathrooms that can accommodate from single travelers to a large family. Enjoy homemade Turkish food and excellent local wines. Dine in the traditional way sitting on pillows! Small Turkish bath. Airport transfers. This family run hotel is a place you will never forget. Singles-$25, Doubles-$35. Large breakfast included.


DALYAN
PENSIONS LESS THAN $15/night
AYDIN Pansiyon
Address: Gulpinar Mah.
Dalyan (Mugla), Turkey
Phone: 90-252-284-2081
Here you are a stone's throw away from the beautiful Dalyan Lake. Aydin Pansiyon is a family run place with very clean rooms that are especially nice for backpackers and families as they can comfortably sleep up to 4 people/room. Every room has a built-in pine closets, private bath/hot water, and a balcony to enjoy the serene and quiet neighborhood atmosphere. The garden has 2 big trees that provide plenty of shade. Doubles-$15. Breakfast is served in the garden and is included in the price. Call Mustafa to make your reservation and receive free apple tea upon arrival. Open year-round.
(Rose) Gul Motel and Pansiyon (not to be confused with the Gol Hotel)
Address: Maras Mah. Erkul Sok.
Dalyan, (Mugla) Turkey
Phone: 90-252-284-2467
90-252-284-4842
Fax: 90-252-284-4803
Very lovely decorated rooms some with mini-refrigerator others with air conditioning. All with beautiful baths/hot water. The terrace (open 24 hours) offers great views of the nearby rock tombs or enjoy Ottoman style seating with floor pillows and a free reading library. Friendly advice about Dalyan. Singles-$10, Doubles-$14 (with air conditioning $18), and Triples-$20 (w/air conditioning $24). Self-service breakfast with full menu and tea is included. Also free afternoon tea with Turkish pastry. Delicious homemade Turkish dinner is available at an extra cost. Fax or call for a reservation!

DATCA
HOTELS $20 to $60/night
Hotel Marphe
Address: Kocatarla Mevkii
Datca, Turkey
Phone: 90-252-712-9030
90-252-712-9031
Fax: 90-252-712-9172
E-mail: webmaster@hotelmarphe.com
Hotel Marphe is just minutes by car to the town center and beaches, but its countryside location lets you enjoy the shaded pine trees and the quiet life for a really relaex holiday. It offers resort style living with two room apartments (plus a kitchenette) that can sleep up to 4. There is also a special honeymoon suite. Very large swimming pool with children's area and jacuzzi. See their web pages for prices and photos. Discounts for e-mail reservations and week-long stays.

FETHIYE AND OLLUDENIZ
PENSIONS LESS THAN $15/night
Pension Cetin
Address: 100 Cad. Dolgu Sahasi DSI Yani
Phone: 90-252-614-6156
Fax: 90-252-614-7794
The Pension Cetin has a great location on the east side of the harbor. It is just minutes to the center of town and the harbor. The dolmuses (mini-buses) to the beach are also close by. This family run pension is a great place to meet travelers from all over the world as well as Turkish tourists! It has very clean rooms with private baths and most balconies to enjoy the night air. Call from the bus station (Kamil Koc customers can call for free). Singles-$6-$8, Doubles- $10-$12 and Triples-$18. Breakfast is $2.
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IZMIR
PENSIONS $15 or less/night
International House
Mithatpasa Cad. No. 435
Phone: (232) 484-6719, (232) 441-0172
International House is just for tourists. It's clean, has hot water & offers Turkish breakfast. There are facilities to cook and wash, like your home! From the center 'Konak' catch any Mithatpasa bus and ask for the Mektucu bus stop.

KUSADASI
HOTELS $10/night
Hotel Sezgin
Address: Kahramanlar Cad. Zafer Sok. No. 15
Phone: 90-256-614-2046
90-256-614-4225
Fax: 90-256-614-6489
E-mail: sezgin@ispro.net.tr
The Hotel Sezgin offers clean rooms with private showers (24-hour HOT water) at pension rates. Internet Service, laundry facilities, change money, book exchange, restaurant & bar. Call for free pick-up from the bus station or harbor. Free transport to Ephesus, plus view an English video about Ephesus before you go. Centrally located. Open year-round. Excellent English is spoken by Sezgin the owner. Sezgin says, 'Come here. Be happy. Enjoy this special place!' Don't decide where to stay until you have visited here. Singles-$10, Doubles-$14, Triples-$22. E-mail\fax your reservation for a free welcoming Turkish raki or apple tea.

MARMARIS
$10/night OR LESS
Interyouth Hostel and Backpacker's Cruise
Address: Tepe Mahallesi Sok No. 45
Marmaris
Phone: 90-252-412-3687
Fax: 90-252-412-7823
E-mail: interyouthhostel@turk.net
The Interyouth Hostel has a great location in the Grand Bazaar. They have Internet service, laundry, plus can help with your fery tickets to Rhodes, plane tickets and bus tickets. They also run the only Backpacker's Cruise, the 24-meters gulet called the Southern Cross, with summer departures 2-3 times a week. This cruise is unique in it allows you to make a one-way voyage from Marmaris to Fethiye. The four day trip costs around $200 including all meals. Drinks are extra. Snorkeling and fishing
gear, and game boards available. E-mail for more information! Dorm beds $5, Doubles and Triples at $6 per person.

Family Pension
Address: Tepe Mah. 33 Sok. Kat 2, No. 5 Tekin Apt.
Phone: 90-252-412-8332
Family Pension is the place to stay if you want to experience Turkish life. Hatice Cikiakci, the owner, has a one-room pension with two single beds. It's very clean and there is hot water on demand. It's a short five minute walk to the Centrum and the harbor. The beach is about a 10 minute walk. Hatice doesn't speak English so have a Turkish friend call ahead or ask anyone for directions. The doorway to her flat is next to the barber shop. Then its down the hall, up the stairs and at the top of the stairs go straight on to the gate to her flat.
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OLIMPOS
PENSIONS LESS THAN $15/night
Turkmen Camping Pansiyon & Restaurant
Phone: 90-242-836-1562
The Turkmen Camping Pansiyon has new treehouses. Price includes
breakfast and a 'yummy' dinner. They also have bungalows with private baths.
They have a very friendly and helpful staff.
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SELCUK
PENSIONS LESS THAN $10/night
Artemis Guest House: Jimmy's Place
Address: Ataturk Mah. 1012 Sok, No. 2
Phone: 90-232-892-6191
90-232-892-9537
E-mail: jimmy@egenet.com.tr
People can feel at home here. There are eighteen spotless rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Fans & heaters available. It's a 5 minute walk from the bus station. (They will meet your bus.) Free pick up from Kusadasi harbor. There's a beautiful Courtyard Garden where you can enjoy a big breakfast or just relax in treetop Turkish Lounges. They also provide laundry service, kitchen access, English DVD movies in Dolby Digital, Satellite TV, Internet, board games, and Bar. Their Information Resources and Services offer free transport to Ephesus and the beach, free travel desk, accommodations, day trips, Samos ferry tickets & travel agent access. Recommended in Lonely Planet, Let's Go 2000, 'Rough Guide 2000, Michelin & others. A member of the 'No.1 Transport and Accommodation Network.' You can E-mail or phone with any queries and to ensure a place. Double & Twin Rooms: $10. Triple rooms: $15.
Dreams Guesthouse
Address: Ataturk Mah. Tahsin Basaran No. 3
Phone: 90-232-892-2278
90-232-892-6694
Fax: 90-232-892-2278
E-mail: Dreamsguesthouse@hotmail.com
Dreams Guesthouse has clean comfortable rooms with balconies just 100 meters from the bus station. (Please follow the dolphin heads on the road!) Hot showers all day and private baths come with towels, soap and toilet paper. There is a cool, shady courtyard downstairs and a new rooftop terrace for relaxing, eating good Turkish food and drinking. There is laundry service and an entertainment center with billiards and television, plus a free English movie with Dolby surround sound every night. Free lift to Ephesus. You can also buy your ferry ticket to Samos here. If you're looking for a nice, family atmosphere, you'll like it here.

HOTELS $20-$40/night
Hotel Akay
Address: Isabey Camii Karsisi Serin Sok. No. 3
Phone: 90-232-892-3172
Fax: 90-232-892-3090 (PLEASE be sure to write your return fax number!)
E-mail: sevenwondersefes@yahoo.com
Danger!! If you come to the Hotel Akay for one night, you will change your mind and want to stay at least two more nights! From the terrace you have a bird's eye view of St. John's Church, the castle and the 425-year-old Isabey Mosque. Enjoy fine Turkish food here or a BBQ. This Selcuk family hotel is a small place that wants to be of service to its guests. For example, free lifts to Ephesus and airport transfers from Izmer. Singles-$22, Double-$30, Triple-$40 Breakfast is included. Call/fax to make your reservation. English, French and German spoken. Recommended by Lonely Planet, Fodor's and Lets Go!
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SILIFKE
HOTELS
LESS THAN $15/night
Hotel Akdeniz
Phone: 90-324-714-1285
The Hotel Akdeniz has very clean rooms. They are simple and basic.

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Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia Cathedral

by StephanB

Situated right next to ech other just outside the Sultanhamet area of Istanbul, these are two sites you shouldn't miss. You can spend at least half a day in the Topkapi Palace. There are seperate tours to the Hamam, the palace interior, the National Treasury and museum. All were equally interesting to me. The best plan is to arrive during the week early in the morning.

Fantasic Holiday

by A TripAdvisor Member

Topkapi Palace Was better than last year!!!! I have never been to the same place twice but had such a great holiday last year that we had to return!!! when we arrived it was as though we had never left!!! there were the same holiday makers from germany, russia, italy as last year!!! That goes to show what a great hotel it is!!! The staff are very welcoming and tend to your every need!! they make a fuss of your children however old they are!!! The resturants are Great with a wide range of choice( even for those who are fussy) We had a family room which was lovely the family rooms are on the top floor, then within your room you have an internal staircase to a separate bedroom with twin beds and a shower room and tv and mini bar!! rooms are cleaned every day to a very high standard!!

When we stayed at the hotel in june there was only about 30 English!!! But that didn't make any difference because English is the first language they speak at the shows or anywhere within the complex! The shows are very good thay even have professional dances.

We enjoyed our holiday so much we are even thinking or returning Next year!!!

holiday of a life time!

by TripAdvisor Member Luc88

well what can i say about this amazing hotel!
when i first arrived at Topkapi Palace I was amazed by how big the hotel was!
As i went with my mum and dad i was hoping that there would be a good amount of people my age and luckily there was loads of them!
one thing that really made my holiday that extra special was the fact that there is an animation team who do activities and games throughout the day and night!
There are really good facilities in the hotel such as a gym, an indoor swimming pool, turkish massage e.t.c.
There are 4 restaurants that you can choose to go to and these are the Italian, the Mediterranean, the Turkish and the main restaurant.
As you walk out the back of the hotel, it leads you on to the pier where there are lots of water activites or if you just want to relax you can do so on a long stretchy sand of beach which belongs to the hotel.
Within the hotel there are also voleyball, tennis and football courts where tournaments take place.
There is a night club for the people who want to go clubbing and this is normally open until about 3.30 in the morning!
The gameland is good for people who want to use arcades, computers and play pool.
The hotel rooms in general are average. I personally thought that the rooms may have been a bit better considering it is a 5 star hotel but they are comfortable.
One of the downfalls is the accomodation. The hotel is pretty much in the middle of nowhere which isnt good for people that want to take a walk down the road. There are local buses and mini cabs that can take you in to towns which are approximately 15 minutes away but there are no local shops or sites nearby.
The flight times are not that good either. Our flight time was at 10ocock in the evening therefore we didnt get to turkey until 5oclock (turkish time) which makes you really tired!
overall this holiday was the most best 2 weeks of my life and i cant praise it enough! we enjoyed it so much that we r going to go back next year!
the hotel is a very lively one and it suits poeople of all ages!

Don't go there!!!

by A TripAdvisor Member

Go there only if look for a cheap vacation in every sense of the word. The food is cheap, lot's of bad things to choose from. You will have to stand in line for everything - from an omelet and (you have to stand in kine to squeeze your own orange juice) to some [--]piece of chicken or dried fish on the grill in the vening.

The costumer relations are not friendly. There is not a chance to get a seat at the a-la-carte restaurants, the aqua park works 2 hours a day. You name it - it's bad.

Not to metion the crowds and the noise - everywhere.

All inclusive is only partly inclusive. The spa treatments are overpriced. Take a taxi and go to Topkapi Spa (not part of the hotel). It's 15 minutes drive ($10) and they will do the same and even more for 1/3 of the price. It's clean and friendly. Cotton candy for the kids are Eur 2 a piece!!! The ood games at the game land are for charge, and so on.

Unless you really have to (ie already booked your deal) DO'NT GO THERE.

Great for Kid's + the Big kids too

by A TripAdvisor Member

We returned from the Topkapi last Tuesday week. We had a great time, the weather was excellent(Can't say the same about home). The Hotel was lovely and clean (Toilets kept VERY clean), are room was cleaned everyday, flowers, towel decorations done on the beds. The food was very good- I must be the world's fussiest eater and I did not go hungry. There was something for everyone.
The Water Park area was great fun, the kids (7 + 5) loved it. You must try the fast water ride- what a buzz ! Make sure you keep your shoes on when walking around the hotel- well upto you, but the tiles etc get unbearably hot. The beach was lovely and clean so is the sea- but again shoes we burn't are feet as the sand gets that HOT ! Plenty of sun beds on the beach, with plenty of shade (lots of stones as you go in the sea, after a few yards it is sandy). Water sport selection was good too. We jet skied for the first time GREAT fun !
P.S. If you like being round the pool on sun beds, you might like to set your alarm to get up for about 6.30am, then go back to bed- as that was the worst thing about are holiday, towels put on so early, that after breakfast none were left by the pools.
P.S.S. Some of the staff were a tad grumpy- but on the whole they were great.!!

Thanks to you all at Topkapi
Hope you have a great holiday like we all did.

a good trip

by A TripAdvisor Member

we were stay 2 family and we were a very good time
everything was perfect.I would say this is probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in on holiday

Topkapi Palace

by moritztravel

"Gardens of Treasures"

One of the other sites we visited in Istanbul, was the Topkapi (top kap uh) Palace. It is right outside the Aya Sofya and is a huge complex built initially by the first Ottoman sultan who conquered Constantinople, and later much added to by other Sultans.

The place is setup as a very defensible fortification, with many 2 sets of walls, one in an outer court, which is free to the public and has been converted to parks and museum grounds (Archeological Museum, and others). The inner set of walls contains the palace proper, and according to the guide books, is big enough to house 5000 people. Just the harem building (Sultans family, concubines and servants) houses 500, and is probably the only identifiable large structure within the grounds.

The grounds are laid out in 3 courtyards separated by gates. Around the edges of the courtyards are wall/buildings where kitchens, treasuries, armories, etc. used to be. Now all of these areas have been converted to display different things owned by the former Sultans.

One display room contained nothing but Chinese Porcelain, another contained silver tea services given to various sultans by rulers such as the Tsar of Russia, the King of Germany, etc. All very lavish and beautiful stuff.

Unfortunately, the treasury display was closed when we visited, so we did not get to see the displays of jewelry and precious stones. We did, however, get to see an interesting room that was filled with relics of the Prophet Mohammed, and the first 4 caliphs. Among these was a footprint in mud of Mohammed, locks of hair, clippings of his beard, swords of Mohammed and of the caliphs, and a walking stick/sceptre reputed to have belonged to moses. A very interesting exhibit. All of these things had been housed here in the palace for hundreds of years and prior to the declaration of the Turkish Republic, only seen once a year by the Sultan during a special ceremony.

A georgious place to visit, with good views over the Bosphorous and the Golden Horn.