Ares Hotel, Istanbul

My stay at the hotel was overall pleasant. The rooms were clean and comfortable, offering a wonderful view of Hagia Sophia, although a bit tight. However, the twin room setup not being different from a double room except for the bedding was a downside. The dust in the room was a concern as it triggered asthma symptoms for my wife during our two-night stay.

The hotel is superbly located just a couple of minutes' walk from the Havaist bus stop in Sultanahmet Square, making it convenient for transportation to and from the Istanbul Airport. The rooms, although small and well-worn, were equipped with a perfect air conditioning unit, with the option for upgrades. However, guests need to be cautious of potential credit card scams in the area.

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The location was superb, just a stone's throw away from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, surrounded by countless shops and restaurants. However, the rooms were quite small, even for Istanbul standards, and I found them a bit cold compared to other hotels in the area. The dining room was cramped, and having the toilet sharing space with the shower was not the most convenient setup.

The hotel is clean with simple design, offering cozy rooms for a restful stay after exploring Istanbul for hours. Despite some limitations, it provides a comfortable and tidy accommodation. Service is hit or miss, leaning towards the friendly side, though there were occasional issues. The location is hard to beat, placing you near the heart of historic Istanbul. Dining may have room for improvement, with some positive highlights. Overall, a decent option for a stay in a prime location with a few drawbacks to consider.

My stay at the hotel was a mix of positives and negatives. While the rooms had a cluttered but wide view, including parts of Hagia Sophia, they were very small and extremely noisy at night, making it difficult to sleep despite closing all the windows. On the bright side, the hotel boasts its own terrace with a sea view, but it was also quite noisy due to double glazing and staff smoking near our room.