Hotel Valide Sultan Konağı

Great little hotel in the best possible location for seeing the essential sights of Istanbul. Gokhan will arrange any activities for you with a big smile and a cup of apple tea.
I block away is the Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace and there is a nice little street for shopping and eating right around the corner.
The breakfasts are outstanding on the top floor with a great view of the Bosphorus, the old wall if the Topkapi palace and the Hagia Sofia. Rambo will serve you your coffee with a smile as well.

This is a beautiful hotel with friendly and helpful staff and fantastic food!

Our first leg of our trip to Turkey brought us to Istanbul. From a recommendation from a friend, we had booked our stay at Hotel Valide Sultan Konagi. Arriving at 10:30pm after our long flight, we were greeted by Serkan, who checked us in and got us to our rooms.
The hotel has five floors with the restaurant on top floor. There is a small elevator in the hotel. Furnishing was Ottoman style in its lobby and in the rooms. Our room was clean, nicely decorated, a decent size and the bed was comfortable. The hotel has free Wi-​Fi with a strong connection. (
)
A buffet breakfast is served in the fifth floor dining room with a beautiful view of the Hagia Sophia and the Sea of Marmara. Along with scrambled eggs and hard boiled eggs, there is a large selection of cold cuts, cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, Turkish foods, breads, cakes, juices, coffee and tea. The breakfast room server is Ranbo, a friendly gentleman that brightened our mornings. (
) (
)
The hotel is conveniently located two to four blocks to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, Cistern and the Kabatas Metro line. Akbiyik Caddesi St, which is full of restaurants and hookah bars is located a block away.
The hotel is listed in the Rick Steve’s Istanbul guide. Email the hotel got us a slightly cheaper rate than going online and ask for the 10% Rick Steve’s discount. Paying cash entitles you to another 5% discount. The hotel desk workers, Serkan and Murat, were knowledgeable in English too. Booking three nights or more includes transfers to the airport. You might get a brief «Meeting» where Serkan or Murat might introduce you to tours, Bosphrous cruise, etc. Just hear out their briefing and chalk it up as a Turkish experience.
They will also help you with any necessary bookings in another city and will help you print boarding passes as well.
Overall, a nice hotel in the Old Town that is conveniently located to the attractions. Nice accommodations and friendly staff.