HOTEL NILES ISTANBUL

PERFECT TRANQUIL LOCATION NEAR GRAND BAZAAR AND BEYAZIT TRAM STOP
part 8

Hotel Niles deserves your business because it delivers 5 star features at a 2.5 star price.

It is your best bet in central Istanbul because of its outstanding staff.

From ownership to management to the breakfast rooftop terrace staff to night front desk folks and more, the Niles truly is like family.

You care about them.

You want their advice for your daily itinerary.

You are thrilled when they steer you away from the tourist trap (there are many in the most popular areas) and into the best (doesn't mean most expensive) place to eat...from nearby the hotel to far flung destinations in Karakoy, Kadikoy, Eyup and beyond.

HOTEL NILES ISTANBUL

PERFECT TRANQUIL LOCATION NEAR GRAND BAZAAR AND BEYAZIT TRAM STOP
part 7

Hotel Niles is nearly perfect.

I cannot stress how important it is to stay near a tram stop.

The trams are dirt cheap, have very frequent headways, are safe, clean and climate controlled.

The T-1 tram goes to 90% of the places you will want to see during a one-week visit.

The Eminonu T-1 stop on the water gives you ferry boat access to just about everywhere else you'd want to go.

And you do want to take the safe, affordable and fun ferry rides to the Asian side, up the Golden Horn and along the mighty Bosphorus.


I almost forgot to mention that the Hotel Niles is super close to the Grand Bazaar.

It's truly walking distance to AyaSofia, Topkapi and Blue Mosque -- just two tram stops away if you prefer the T-1.

For pedestrians, it really is fun to walk east on the old Roman Road to see dozens of tombs, grave stones, smaller mosques, fountains and other ancient examples of architecture and urban life.

HOTEL NILES ISTANBUL

PERFECT TRANQUIL LOCATION NEAR GRAND BAZAAR AND BEYAZIT TRAM STOP
part 6

To prove I'm not a paid reviewer or family member of Hotel Niles' ownership-management team, I will share the very few negatives.

First, it is a very steep walk up to the main street and tram stop.

It's not far, but folks with mobility or respiratory issues may not be able to go up and down the steep, cobbled side street.

Second, and this because I'm married to a wheelchair user, the Niles is not wheelchair-accessible.

There are a few steps to get inside the property.

The fabulous terrace, for breakfast and then drinks in the evening, is up several steps.

The elevator, which stops a half floor short of the rooftop, is very small -- too small for some wheelchair users.

That said, the Niles does not pretend to be an accessible hotel, so zero bait and switch on access.

And sadly, it is in the vast majority.

I'd say 95 out of 100 mom and pop-sized hotels do not have wheelchair access.

It's a shame and it's something that I'd love to work to change.

Until then, I cannot stay at Niles when I return to Istanbul with my wife.

HOTEL NILES ISTANBUL

PERFECT TRANQUIL LOCATION NEAR GRAND BAZAAR & BEYZIT TRAM STOP
part 5

The Hotel Niles Istanbul's price is amazingly low.

 

I paid roughly $75 USD per night, fully loaded -- as in room, breakfast and taxes. 

 

Istanbul is a world city.

 

I cannot imagine what a fleabag room I would get in New York or London for 75 sawbucks.

 

It would certainly be unclean, loud and disgusting.

 

The Niles was like staying in a friend's one bedroom apartment. 

 

Yes, it does not have a full-service restaurant, but that is fine. 

 

There are restaurants everywhere in Istanbul...casual, cafeteria-style, mid-range, etc.

 

The Niles rooms have microwaves, so you can re-heat your doner kabap or pide. 

 

Niles' location is perfect.

 

Istanbul is a loud city.

 

It is very hard to find a place in close proximity to what you want to see/do, but allows you to rest like you do at home. 

 

Niles delivers on this, being on a relatively quiet street with very little traffic.

 

I heard some music from a nearby restaurant, but it never, even on weekends, went on past 10:30 or 11 p.m.

HOTEL NILES ISTANBUL

PERFECT TRANQUIL LOCATION NEAR GRAND BAZAAR AND BEYAZIT TRAM STOP
part 4

The front desk was incredibly attentive to my needs.

As a frequent traveler, I have my system of stashing the extra pillows and blankets away.

I don't want them put back on my bed by housekeeping.

Sometimes I arrange the blackout curtains in a way that I don't want disturbed, because I won't be back till after dark -- so why mess it all up for nothing.

The front desk took down my requests -- often to empty trash, remove wet towels, replenish water bottles and do nothing else -- and housekeeping honored this.

By the by, the bed is very firm, but I found it to be super comfortable.