Ottoman Suites By Sera House

This hotel was perfect!! Very friendly and helpful. Gulsah was so very helpful with logistics and suggestions for what to see, how to get from here to there, and where to eat locally. On this trip, I previously had stayed at two hotels in the Old City, and this was my final Türkiye Istanbul stay (after flying in via Izmir from my Sirince/Selcuk visits). My total trip was 3 weeks, at this hotel for 4 nights. A very comfortable, clean home/hotel with traditional decor from the family, wonderful architectural details... it all lent to a friendly, quiet ambience. My bed was super comfortable and I slept so well! I had the top floor bedroom (lots of winding stairs to my room but it did not bother me, and is part of the inherent architectural character). The room had pleasant neighborhood views above the garden. My room also had a balcony terrace that I didn't use as the nights were cooler during my stay and I was out most of the day. I booked this hotel based on reviews on other sites, and was interested in the Asian Side of Istanbul. A neighbor of mine here in LA is from Istanbul and suggested the Asian side, and as I had previously stayed in the Old City, to try it for a more local feel. I loved this quiet location and the hotel. The included breakfast in the cafe downstairs was perfect. I purchased lunch here, and also a delicious dinner one night. If you are a walker like I am, the pleasant walk down the hill to the Kuzguncuk is worth it; that neighborhood has the colored, restored houses and more local boutiques and cafes, and then to the waterside for great views to the other side. There is also an easy bus line right by the hotel that is takes 15 minutes to nearby Kadikoy, which is a food haven. Also easy and nice to take a ferry across to the old or new city, which I took to the new city to see the Istanbul Modern Art Museum and more on that side. The hotel can help with suggestions and direct you and also arrange taxi for airport (you pay directly to driver, mine was inexpensive and accepted credit card). I highly recommend this hotel! I felt so comfortable, and Gulsah and their team were very friendly and helpful and great conversations with her that reconfirmed how much I like travelling. Plus their suggestions for the area and how to get around.