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Expensive but with compensations
We stayed at the MoevenPick Istanbul. This is in the northern business district, near the metro 4.Levent (this is the last stop out on the metro). This was convenient for work, since we could get a taxi to the university campus (and with Istanbul traffic even this short trip took some time...) but it was very expensive. We paid $295 (US dollars) per night which included breakfast and 'executive' room. The hotel was nice but really far more expensive than it should have been. The executive rate does include access to the Skyline Lounge - on the 20th floor, with views and an outside roof terrace which is really nice. They also serve free snack buffet and drinks in the evening. The buffet breakfast was excellent and also included.
Within walking distance are two shopping centres - Metro City and Canyon - both modern but OK for a brief outing after a working day. On our day off we took the metro to Taksim which was much nicer, and would have preferred a hotel there had we known the area. The shoe shine boy at Moevenpick had one of those really big sunny smiles that made you feel welcome each time you passed by. Skyline Lounge roof terrace is really nice.
The hotel is listed as earthquake-proof (some others don't say but probably also are..)
Skyline Lounge at Moevenpick Hotel Istanbul
