Adamar Hotel

The Adamar Hotel occupies a seven-story building which dates back to the early 1900s and features a cream-colored facade and a column of curved bow windows at the corner. Inside, the small, red-carpeted lobby is outfitted with a little sitting area flanked by a reception desk and a three-stool bar. Its ornate gilded couches and chairs with brocade upholstery doesn't quite mesh with the rest of the hotel, but the tourists who frequent this property don't tend to hangout in the lobby. They're either off seeing sights or catching a view of them from the seventh-story restaurant and bar. This modern spot, which features wood floors, sophisticated upholstered dining chairs, and panoramic city views, is the highlight of the hotel. With Single, Double, Triple, and Family Rooms, the hotel attracts a range of tourists, from a handful of solo travelers to couples, families, and groups of friends. 

The Adamar Hotel's location in the heart of historic Istanbul near Sultanahmet Square is particularly ideal for sightseers. The surrounding streets are packed with hotels and restaurants, and major sights are an easy walk. It's a quick two-minute walk to the Basilica Cistern, a five-minute walk to Hagia Sofia, and a seven-minute walk to the Blue Mosque. Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and Sirkeci Railway Station can each be reached in about 10 minutes on foot. Ataturk International Airport is about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic, or 50 minutes via public transit. The hotel can arrange airport transfers for an extra fee.

Guest room decor doesn't quite match with the ornate brocade lobby or the sophisticated modern restaurant, but it's pleasant, simple, and contemporary with wood laminate flooring, white-painted furniture with distressed accents, and Turkish quotes or designs hung behind beds. Each floor of the hotel highlights a different color concept (olive, lilac, orange, blue), with the theme reflected in hallways and guest rooms, including on accent walls behind the beds and in bed runners, drapes, and even bathroom tiling. Bathrooms are basic and small, with either shower stalls or combination showers with small tubs. Rooms range from modestly sized Single and Double Rooms, to Deluxe, Triple, and Family Rooms. In addition to being more spacious, higher-category rooms may add canopy beds, larger windows, sofas, and other extras. All rooms have individually controlled AC, safes, plasma TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Bathrooms have hairdryers, slippers, and free individual toiletries. There's no in-room coffee/tea service, but room service is available 24 hours.

As a small boutique hotel, the Adamar comes up a little short when it comes to on-site features. One of the hotel's main draws is the top-floor restaurant and bar, situated in a chic, window-lined room with astounding, panoramic views of the city and some of it's most famous attractions, like Hagia Sophia. Outdoor terrace seating is also available in good weather. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, in addition to a free daily breakfast with a spread that includes standards such as fresh bread and made-to-order omelets. The hotel also has a small lobby bar near reception, and room service is available 24 hours.The small hotel has limited common areas and no gym or wellness facilities. The front desk is open 24 hours, and staff can provide concierge services. Laundry service, currency exchange, car service, and airport transfers can be arranged for extra fees. Wi-Fi is free throughout.