| Hotel Rating: |   | | Satisfaction: |   | | Reviews: 4 | Photos: 4 | | Kucuk Ayasofya Cad Akbiyik Degirmeni Sk No 27 Sultanahmet |
 | Istanbul Hotel Almina Reviews | 1 - 4 of 4 |  |
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 | Hotel Almina: DO NOT PATRONIZE
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This is a boutique hotel that CANNOT be recommended. It is located next to railroad tracks, in an area that appears to be surrounded by gypsies--not that I had any trouble with them in Turkey. The young kids would come up pleading, Money? Money?"
The room I stayed in had a bathroom that you had to keep the window open to air the gasses that came up from the toilet. Water is advertised as being hot 24 hours. It wasn't. Maybe I overlooked them, but I don't remember seeing the restaurant and bar they picture in there brochure. The open buffet breakfast was bread, feta cheese, jam, olives, cucumber and tomatoes. Tea and instant coffee. I think that was it.
So, why did I stay there? See my Istanbul Introduction on my travel pages for more details. My recommendation: With so many hotels in the area, go elsewhere.
Talking with Rina at Insight Travel (www.tour-turkey.com or e-mail: info@tour-turkey.com) about accommodations may help keep you out of the trouble I got myself into. You might consider emailing her about arranging your lodgings. She was friendly, open, and a good communicator.
I recently received a note from the new owner of this hotel. He may be trying to improve upon the previous owners record, but unless a REALLY great deal can be struck, I'd try elsewhere.
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| Hotel Almina: Cheap And Comfortable In A Great Location
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We stayed in the Hotel Almina in February 2007. I took my eight year old son and a two friends (one male, one female) so us boys shared a three bed room and our female companion had a room to herself. We found the staff very friendly indeed, the rooms were clean and comfortable if not hugely luxurious. The breakfast was great (olives, bread, feta, oranges, boiled eggs, jam, honey, etc) and they gave us a hand with various Turkish words and phrases whenever we asked.
I believe if you fly into Ataturk airport then you can get free transport to the hotel but if you fly into Sabiha then they charge. When we came in they charged us 35 Euros each way which given that there were four of us was definitely the cheapest way to get there. The hotel isn't difficult to find but getting a lift straight there was definitely a bonus.
One word of warning is that it's not the quietest place to stay. We had no problems sleeping but there is a small mosque just up the road with a reasonable PA system at 5am and if you end up in a room at the back of the hotel the trainline runs right outside your window.
The only other issue, complaint is too strong a word, is that the description of a view of the Blue Mosque from the roof terrace is probably pushing it. If you're on the outside part of the terrace and approaching six feet in height then you can just about see the tops of the minarets.
That said it is incredibly close to the Blue Mosque and some great restuarants. I'd definitely go back there without any worries.
The hotel is literally two mins walk from the Arasta Bazzar and the Blue Mosque and was incredibly cheap. For five nights for a three bed room we paid around £150 (low season rates) which was fantastic. The staff were really very, very friendly. Theme: HotelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averagePhone: +90 212 458 48 80Directions: From the back of Arasta Bazzar walk down Kucuk Ayasofia Cad, take the first left, first left and follow it round the corner, the hotel is at the bottom of the hill. If you've got Google Earth then Lat is 41° 0'11.45"N and Long is 28°58'38.69"E.Website: http://www.hotelalmina.net Other Contact: info@hotelalmina.net
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