Pros

  • Comfortable hotel with traditional decor and a top-notch staff
  • Within walking distance of Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
  • Elegant guest rooms that are well-equipped
  • In-room AC, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and kettles
  • Popular rooftop restaurant with Aegean cuisine and great views
  • Lounge bar with cocktails, snacks, and afternoon tea
  • Generous free hot breakfast buffet
  • Small indoor pool with loungers and a seating area
  • Internet corner with a printer and fax
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Some noise from area traffic and the tram right outside
  • Standard bathrooms are small
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Bottom Line

Located in the center of Sirkeci and close to major attractions, the three-pearl Orient Express Hotel stands apart from others in its class with its notoriously attentive staff. It's an elegant property with traditional decor throughout, and it offers an attractive array of amenities. The 52 classic guest rooms are well-equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles, coffee/tea, robes, slippers, and free Wi-Fi. They get some traffic noise from the tramway, but most hotels in the neighborhood have the same issue. Highlights include a great rooftop restaurant with views of the Bosphorus, a small indoor pool, and and excellent, generous free hot buffet breakfast. Travelers looking for more luxurious accommodations in the area can check out Levni Hotel & Spa.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Orient Express Hotel

Scene

Colonial-style hotel with a popular rooftop restaurant for leisure travelers 

Named after the infamous train that once shuttled passengers along a route from Paris to Istanbul, the Orient Express Hotel maintains an approximation of 19th-century Colonial-style decor. A carved, wood-paneled reception desk makes a formal impression beyond that of a typical three-pearl hotel, and the lobby is staged like a parlor, with striped wallpaper, wainscoting, and brass fixtures. The furniture isn't true to the period and it's a touch dated and worn, but no one's complaining at this price point, and the atmosphere is entirely pleasant. Through the back, a cocktail and tea lounge is decorated like an oversized, elegant train car, with faux windows and luggage racks. The hotel draws leisure travelers, particularly couples here to sightsee. 

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Location

In the Old City, walking distance to major sights and public transportation 

The hotel is located in the neighborhood of Sirkeci, south of the Golden Horn, surrounded by restaurants and cafes on cobblestone streets. It's a short walk to Galata Bridge, and the tram line runs right in front of the hotel. Sultanahmet, home to most of the Istanbul's main attractions including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, are all about a 10-minute walk. The famous, bustling Grand Bazaar is under a 20-minute walk away, or nine minutes by public transportation. Sirkeci train terminal is four minutes away on foot, and connects to Ataturk International Airport in about an hour (with an interchange), or its 45 minutes by taxi.  

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Rooms

Classic casual rooms with AC, flat-screens, mini-fridges, and kettles, plus free Wi-Fi

The hotel's guest rooms have a casually classic look, with patterned pale green carpeting, off-white walls trimmed with a bit of decorative moulding, wood furniture, and brass wall lamps. Standard rooms have twin or double beds, and small vanity tables with stools. Some units have small windows, while others have French doors that open to flower beds and wrought iron railings. There are also some Triple and Quadruple rooms, along with two Family Suites that have separate living rooms with chaise lounges, tables, and chairs. All units are well-equipped, with AC, small wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles with instant tea/coffee, robes, slippers, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the standard bathrooms are small, with tiny walk-in showers, and other rooms have bathrooms with shower/tub combos (suites have two bathrooms, one of each type). All contain hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries. Units facing the tramway in front of the hotel can get more traffic noise than those in the back. 

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Features

Rooftop restaurant with an outdoor terrace, bar, indoor pool, and free breakfast

Orient Express Hotel has a solid lineup of features for a comfortable stay. Imbat Restaurant is a popular eatery on the rooftop, with a great outdoor terrace boasting a view of the Bosphorus. The menu features refined Aegean cuisine and Anatolian wines. There's a generous free hot breakfast buffet served in a separate dining room, which includes standard American fare plus a few Turkish items. Off the lobby, Vagon Bar (vagon means "car" in Turkish) is outfitted like a dining car from the hotel's namesake train, where guests can find cocktails, afternoon tea, and snacks. There's also a public computer, printer, and fax at the far end of the room. A central staircase with aged ornate copper railings leads downstairs to the small indoor pool in a tile and red-brick basement. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Orient Express Hotel

Scene

Colonial-style hotel with a popular rooftop restaurant for leisure travelers 

Named after the infamous train that once shuttled passengers along a route from Paris to Istanbul, the Orient Express Hotel maintains an approximation of 19th-century Colonial-style decor. A carved, wood-paneled reception desk makes a formal impression beyond that of a typical three-pearl hotel, and the lobby is staged like a parlor, with striped wallpaper, wainscoting, and brass fixtures. The furniture isn't true to the period and it's a touch dated and worn, but no one's complaining at this price point, and the atmosphere is entirely pleasant. Through the back, a cocktail and tea lounge is decorated like an oversized, elegant train car, with faux windows and luggage racks. The hotel draws leisure travelers, particularly couples here to sightsee. 

See More Scene

Location

In the Old City, walking distance to major sights and public transportation 

The hotel is located in the neighborhood of Sirkeci, south of the Golden Horn, surrounded by restaurants and cafes on cobblestone streets. It's a short walk to Galata Bridge, and the tram line runs right in front of the hotel. Sultanahmet, home to most of the Istanbul's main attractions including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, are all about a 10-minute walk. The famous, bustling Grand Bazaar is under a 20-minute walk away, or nine minutes by public transportation. Sirkeci train terminal is four minutes away on foot, and connects to Ataturk International Airport in about an hour (with an interchange), or its 45 minutes by taxi.  

See More Location

Rooms

Classic casual rooms with AC, flat-screens, mini-fridges, and kettles, plus free Wi-Fi

The hotel's guest rooms have a casually classic look, with patterned pale green carpeting, off-white walls trimmed with a bit of decorative moulding, wood furniture, and brass wall lamps. Standard rooms have twin or double beds, and small vanity tables with stools. Some units have small windows, while others have French doors that open to flower beds and wrought iron railings. There are also some Triple and Quadruple rooms, along with two Family Suites that have separate living rooms with chaise lounges, tables, and chairs. All units are well-equipped, with AC, small wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles with instant tea/coffee, robes, slippers, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the standard bathrooms are small, with tiny walk-in showers, and other rooms have bathrooms with shower/tub combos (suites have two bathrooms, one of each type). All contain hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and toiletries. Units facing the tramway in front of the hotel can get more traffic noise than those in the back. 

See More Rooms

Features

Rooftop restaurant with an outdoor terrace, bar, indoor pool, and free breakfast

Orient Express Hotel has a solid lineup of features for a comfortable stay. Imbat Restaurant is a popular eatery on the rooftop, with a great outdoor terrace boasting a view of the Bosphorus. The menu features refined Aegean cuisine and Anatolian wines. There's a generous free hot breakfast buffet served in a separate dining room, which includes standard American fare plus a few Turkish items. Off the lobby, Vagon Bar (vagon means "car" in Turkish) is outfitted like a dining car from the hotel's namesake train, where guests can find cocktails, afternoon tea, and snacks. There's also a public computer, printer, and fax at the far end of the room. A central staircase with aged ornate copper railings leads downstairs to the small indoor pool in a tile and red-brick basement. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Smoking Rooms Available

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.