Pros

  • Attractive Ottoman-style facade and interiors
  • Walking distance from historical city center
  • Two minutes' walk from Sirkeci train terminal
  • Rooftop terrace with views over the Bospherus
  • Free daily rooftop meze and drinks at sunset
  • In-room amenities including pillow menu and free minibar
  • Free access to swimming pool, whirlpool, and traditional hammam
  • Free reliable Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Most bathrooms are on small side
  • Some rooms prone to a little traffic noise
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Bottom Line

The Neorion Hotel is an upscale, boutique-size property with a prime location within minutes' walk of Istanbul's historical center. Although relatively new, the building features traditional Ottoman styling inside and out, including in the decor of its 53 guest rooms. While the spa is impressive for the level of hotel, its the rooftop terrace that really wows with superb views accompanied by free drinks and meze at dusk. Prices are fair for the category (the comparable Hotel Sultania nearby has similar rates), and super-friendly staff and general charm ensures the Neorion remains one of the most popular choices around.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Neorion Hotel

Scene

Attractive Ottoman revivalist facade and super-attentive staff

Although opened as recently as 2011, the Neorion Hotel is a veritable celebration of the region's rich historical legacy. It is named after the great Byzantium port, and its facade is a striking and attractive piece of Ottoman revivalism complete with arched windows, latticework, and arabesque paneling. After stepping through the charming carved wooden entrance, the hotel's lobby continues the theme with a colorful stained glass ceiling and an exhibit of over 100 replicas of pieces from Anatolian civilizations. Despite the museum-like displays, the space is warm and welcoming with particularly friendly staff and plenty of comfy, velvet-upholstered seating. A single elevator ferries guests to one of five floors, or to the hotel's superb rooftop terraces with panoramic views over the Bosphorus and beyond. 

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Location

On quiet side street five minutes' walk from the city's historical center

The hotel is set on a relatively quiet side street in the neighborhood of Sirkeci, within easy walking distance of plenty of restaurants and cafes on cobblestone streets. It's just north of the historical center of the city, Sultanahmet, home to most of the Istanbul's main attractions: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace (all under a 15-minute walk). It's south of the Golden Horn and a 20-minute walk to Galata Bridge; the famous, bustling Grand Bazaar is also a 20-minute walk. Just a couple minutes away on foot is Sirkeci train terminal which connects to Ataturk International Airport in about an hour (with an interchange), or its 45 minutes by taxi. 

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Rooms

Traditional decor with a Turkish feel and a good choice of amenities

The hotel has just 53 rooms in all, each decorated with large Orientalist artworks above the bed, surrounded by wood paneling. Rooms also have polished wooden floors, patterned wallpaper, and homey furnishings. White flat-screen TVs provide an interesting contrast to the largely traditional styling while other amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars with free soft drinks, and tea/coffee facilities. Beds are topped with crisp white linens while a pillow menu is also available. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, if a little small, though robes and slippers come as standard. Top floor rooms are also more spacious and feature some excellent city views, though most just overlook neighboring buildings and some traffic noise can be heard during the day. 

Family Rooms accommodating two adults and two children (or three adults and one child) are available, as are larger Family Connected Rooms with a separate living room with sofa bed. 

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Features

Sunset rooftop meze and traditional hammam

A lobby-side breakfast and dining area serves a morning buffet of largely Turkish dishes including cheeses, eggs, olives and fresh bread. During the day a lunch menu is on offer, while evenings can be spent on the roof terrace where the hotel serves free meze and drinks daily accompanied by lovely cityscape views and sunsets. Also available to guests is a swimming pool -- just long enough for a few strokes -- whirlpool tub, and traditional hammam steam bath (facilities are free to use, unlike at Hotel Sultania); a range of massage treatments are also available. Wi-Fi is also available free of charge and seems reliable. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Neorion Hotel

Scene

Attractive Ottoman revivalist facade and super-attentive staff

Although opened as recently as 2011, the Neorion Hotel is a veritable celebration of the region's rich historical legacy. It is named after the great Byzantium port, and its facade is a striking and attractive piece of Ottoman revivalism complete with arched windows, latticework, and arabesque paneling. After stepping through the charming carved wooden entrance, the hotel's lobby continues the theme with a colorful stained glass ceiling and an exhibit of over 100 replicas of pieces from Anatolian civilizations. Despite the museum-like displays, the space is warm and welcoming with particularly friendly staff and plenty of comfy, velvet-upholstered seating. A single elevator ferries guests to one of five floors, or to the hotel's superb rooftop terraces with panoramic views over the Bosphorus and beyond. 

See More Scene

Location

On quiet side street five minutes' walk from the city's historical center

The hotel is set on a relatively quiet side street in the neighborhood of Sirkeci, within easy walking distance of plenty of restaurants and cafes on cobblestone streets. It's just north of the historical center of the city, Sultanahmet, home to most of the Istanbul's main attractions: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace (all under a 15-minute walk). It's south of the Golden Horn and a 20-minute walk to Galata Bridge; the famous, bustling Grand Bazaar is also a 20-minute walk. Just a couple minutes away on foot is Sirkeci train terminal which connects to Ataturk International Airport in about an hour (with an interchange), or its 45 minutes by taxi. 

See More Location

Rooms

Traditional decor with a Turkish feel and a good choice of amenities

The hotel has just 53 rooms in all, each decorated with large Orientalist artworks above the bed, surrounded by wood paneling. Rooms also have polished wooden floors, patterned wallpaper, and homey furnishings. White flat-screen TVs provide an interesting contrast to the largely traditional styling while other amenities include free Wi-Fi, minibars with free soft drinks, and tea/coffee facilities. Beds are topped with crisp white linens while a pillow menu is also available. Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, if a little small, though robes and slippers come as standard. Top floor rooms are also more spacious and feature some excellent city views, though most just overlook neighboring buildings and some traffic noise can be heard during the day. 

Family Rooms accommodating two adults and two children (or three adults and one child) are available, as are larger Family Connected Rooms with a separate living room with sofa bed. 

See More Rooms

Features

Sunset rooftop meze and traditional hammam

A lobby-side breakfast and dining area serves a morning buffet of largely Turkish dishes including cheeses, eggs, olives and fresh bread. During the day a lunch menu is on offer, while evenings can be spent on the roof terrace where the hotel serves free meze and drinks daily accompanied by lovely cityscape views and sunsets. Also available to guests is a swimming pool -- just long enough for a few strokes -- whirlpool tub, and traditional hammam steam bath (facilities are free to use, unlike at Hotel Sultania); a range of massage treatments are also available. Wi-Fi is also available free of charge and seems reliable. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.