Ten out of ten for location. Close to most of the best attractions and Grand Bazaar. Would especially recommend to senior citizens because of the lift in the hotel to reach the upper floors, flatness of surrounding area for easy walking and no uphills at the end of a tiring, but fabulous day, closeness to attractions and meeting points plus the Sultahnamed tram station. Also the absolute best view from the breakfast area!!!

The bed were comfortable but smallish (but my husband and I are taller than your average person.) We needed a blanket each, as one was too small to cover both of us. But this is not a problem, as they gave us a second blanket.

The Star Holiday Hotel is in a great central location, right across the road from Sultan Ahmet Square. This means it is walking distance to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar & the Spice Market. I would describe it as a small boutique hotel over several floors, the room was small but comfortable, it had a double bed, a bedside table, vanity table & stool, small wardrobe, safe, fridge & an ensuite shower room. The room appeared well maintained & clean, it did seem a little cramped for 2 adults, but we would have had more room to move around had this not been a stop over after a couple of weeks with family; so we had lots of cases in the room too. Breakfast was a standard Turkish/continental breakfast & was served in a rooftop dining room that had a fantastic view of the Blue Mosque. The staff were all friendly & helpful, they helped arrange our transfer to the airport as we had returned our hire car due to not planning on driving round İstanbul over the last 4 days. When you leave the hotel & turn left, there is a little newspaper stand, where you can buy your İstanbul card for travelling around the city, there are also lots of shops & restaurants in close proximity. As an aside, I generally need to sleep with a window opened due to sinus issues if the room gets stuffy. I figured being in a first floor room with window grills that it would be safe to leave the window ajar.....ended up being woken up at 3am with my husband chasing a cat around the bedroom that had sneaked in! Poor hubby was trying to save me from cat allergies, I found the whole situation hilarious 😂 I did however have to sleep with the windows closed thereafter. No fault of the hotel & par for the course in most areas of Turkey as they have a high street cat population, I would ask for a room higher than the first floor though if like me you need to sleep with a window opened.

Excellent location for main Masjids (Hagia Sophia) and Blue Mosque - only a few minutes away across the road. I wanted to pray Fajr there every morning and I was able to. Also very close to the tram station (about 5 mins). Also close to many restaurants, some very well priced. Hotel staff, very polite, cleaning room regularly, triple room is spacious with safe, fridge, air con etc Breakfast is good, continental with a good choice - we really liked it - on rooftop (enclosed with an exceptional view of the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus) Allowed us to keep our baggage there after checkout as our flight was late, we even stayed a little longer in their lounge (on first floor). Very competitive pricing too. Very happy with 4 day stay with 2 kids.

No negatives

Location is unbeatable, just a stone-throw away from the Blue Mosque. Moreover, you can actually visit most of the greates sights on foot. The staff was superb, too! It was clear from the very beginning of our stay that they meant business. They made you feel valued and important. Whatever you asked for, the staff went out of their way to accomplish that.

The room itself was tiny, which is probably ok with most, and it was only me who felt a bit uneasy with a room that could barely hold two single beds and a bathroom that had a sliding door because a normal one couldn't have been fitted for lack of space. Again, I'm not really complaining, but the room may well be a bit uncomfortable for a bigger person like me. The pictures on the website conceal this very cleverly. Congrats to the photograpgher😉 Next time, I'll make sure to get a bigger room.

The location is the best. It takes only a minute to walk anywhere. Tram runs in front of it. Restaurants, including a McDonald’s and Starbucks are a quick walk. The staff was helpful and kind. Lovely people. The surprise came with the breakfast. I didn’t realize that the room came with breakfast and it was wonderful! Breads and Nutella, olives, eggs, cheese, and more. The outdoor patio where breakfast is served is stunning. The Blue Mosque is your background as your enjoy your breakfast. Amazing!

The air conditioning wasn’t great but it worked fine for us. A combination of opening windows, keeping curtains shut and running the a/c kept us cool and comfortable.

Unforgettable Stay at Star Holiday Hotel, Sultanahmet From November 29th to December 5th, 2024, I had the pleasure of staying at Star Holiday Hotel in Sultanahmet, Istanbul. This experience was more than just accommodation—it was a gateway to Istanbul’s historic charm, made perfect by exceptional service and thoughtful hospitality. Unbeatable Location The hotel’s location is a dream for any traveler. Nestled in Sultanahmet, it places you steps away from the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Waking up to the sounds and sights of Istanbul’s historic heart felt magical. Whether exploring the bustling streets or enjoying a serene evening stroll, everything you need is just a few steps away. Spotless Cleanliness Cleanliness is a top priority here. My room was immaculate every single day, thanks to the meticulous care of Mrs. Sermin, the room cleaner and organizer. Her dedication to maintaining a welcoming space, from fresh linens to perfectly arranged amenities, truly enhanced my stay. Personalized Guest Experience The staff at Star Holiday Hotel goes above and beyond to ensure guests feel valued. Zeyneb, the reservation manager, was exceptionally professional, making the booking process effortless and personalized. Omar at the front desk reception was a highlight of my stay—always cheerful, informative, and ready with thoughtful recommendations that made exploring Istanbul so much easier. The dining experience on the 4th floor was equally remarkable. Irem Sude Şengül and Mehmat greeted every guest with warmth and attentiveness, ensuring breakfast was a pleasant and satisfying start to the day. Their friendly smiles and efficient service made dining feel like a personalized experience, not just a routine meal.

Cozy Rooms and Small Elevators While the rooms are compact, they are thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained. If you’re traveling light or looking for a cozy, quiet space, the size will not hinder your comfort. The elevators are also quite small, which may require a bit of patience during peak hours, but this minor inconvenience is easily outweighed by the exceptional service and comfort the hotel provides.

The location is definitely superb. It is within walking distance to all major tourist attractions in the area. You can see Hagia Sophia from the dining area. It is just a few minutes walk to the tram station.

Because of it's superb lcation, cars/ taxis could not drop you in front of the hotel. You need to walk a bit to get there. Need to be mindful if you have lots of luggage. The room is very small. But if you don't spend much time in the room. This should not be an issue.

The location is very convenient and easy access to all places in the city. Just 1-2 min walks to Hagia Sofia and Sultanahmet Mosque. The tram stop is also just in a minute of walking. You can also go to Eminönü by walking, it's just 10min from this hotel. The room space is very limited but it was clean and tidy. The breakfast has a variety of choices; cakes, bread, fruit, salad, eggs and the view from the breakfast area is awesome. Really worth the price! The front desk staff was also very helpful, always smiling and easy to communicate with. Overall I really enjoyed my stay in this hotel and hope to come back later!

The room smells. Knowing that people in Istanbul are mostly heavy smokers, even there's a sign of non-smoking areas but yeah I think they can't control it. When we entered the room we felt really uneasy with the smoke smell. Luckily the room has a window that can be opened.

Breakfast on the roof terrace, close vicinity to most of the attractions at Sultanahmet area, lounge at 1st floor, price is reasonable & staffs courteous and very helpful. Good housekeeping team. I've got a room on the first floor, easily can go up one flight of stairs without waiting for the lift.

The lift is a bit too small. Only one person can go in with 1 large suitcase. Difficult if you have more than one suitcase to go up at one time. The room is a bit too small for a queen-sized bed.

The location is very strategic, very near Haya Sofia and the Blue Mosque.

The only thing to note is that the road in front of the hotel is not directly accesible by car. If you travel by tram, this location is the best, superb. However, if you take a private transport, including airport transfer, you will need to bring your luggage (strollers and children etc) to the nearest car accessible road which is also a bit uphill.