Aquarium

I stayed a couple of nights at the Aquarium Hotel Istanbul. This is an older hotel, but in a great location near Gulhane Park and within walking distance of trains, ferries, markets, the bazaar, mosques, museums, and historic sights in Sultanahmet. My room was small, but adequate for a single, with 2 single beds, bathroom (sink, shower, toilet), small closet, 2 small dressers, couch and flat screen TV. My bed was comfortable. There was one towel per bed, and the shower was warm but not hot. WiFi reception was best in the hotel lobby. Breakfast was abundant, but with limited choices: bread, hard boiled eggs, sandwich meat, goat & hard cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, cherry & orange juice, tea & coffee. Overall, accommodations spartan, but great location, and low cost.

The hotel is untidy and my room 304 was horrible. Bathroom is very small and the tap is loose to the extend that you scare that it will be broken. shower hanger is broken - you have to ask for paper role, soap and shampoo. Towels are very dirty and is not properly washed. Bed sheet is broken and has not been changed in six days. the pillows are smelling and dirty. the wall are full of humidity and the paints are falling down on the floor and no one is cleaning it. The lift is not working properly and in two instances was stopped while we were in. No one speaks English or Arabic except one Syrian guy who is consider to be the only advantage in this hotel. Restaurant is very bad and the coffee machine was out of order and simply they said ( Problem) ok why it is not been repaired. Breakfast is typical the same every day and when you come to the Restaurant at 8 am it is not yet ready despite that they declared that breakfast from 7 to 10.The staff are rood they just look at the guest in a bad way and their body language is not at all welcoming the people. The hotel has sign of no smoking and the staff themselves smokes at night and the smell is spread every where.

One of the worst hotels in Istanbul. Very bad service, rooms are not clean. Very small toilets. Night shift staff were not speaking English.Not recommended at all. The only good thing is the location, very near to hagia sofia(about 3 mins walking distance)