Old City Esma Hostel

superb location of this hostel along. bang next to the blue mosque and all the happenings of the city. the grand bazar is also only a walk away. the rooms were very decent, clean and the shared bathroom was very hygienic too. free breakfast in the morning is an added +.

I stayed here in October of 2012 because my flight connecting flight was cancelled. I didn't have a hostel booked and my main priority was to have a hostel near public transportation. The Old City Esma didn't disappoint. It was a short two to three minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop. Very easy to get here from Ata-Turk airport. The room was clean and comfortable. I stayed in a four person dorm. Nice rooftop bar.

I originally chose this hostel because of the great reviews and price. I would not recommend staying here for an extended period of time. There was always a long wait for the bathrooms (of the four bathrooms only one had consistent hot water). REALLY loud music almost every night (we were on the third floor). Tiny room (2 beds) with little to no room for anything else. On the plus side: can't beat the location, we paid for transportation to the airport and booked it through the hostel (worth it!), good breakfast if you don't eat much in the morning -- cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, bread, instant coffee, chocolate spread.