Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul

“Truly Hotel of the Year”

This was our third time staying at the lovely Radisson President Hotel in Istanbul and as always, we had a wonderful experience. The staff never fail to impress us with their excellent service and we would like to give a special thanks to Yalçin Kaya and Aydin for their kind hospitality and assis... more

This was our third time staying at the lovely Radisson President Hotel in Istanbul and as always, we had a wonderful experience. The staff never fail to impress us with their excellent service and we would like to give a special thanks to Yalçin Kaya and Aydin for their kind hospitality and assistance, the reception team and all of the young waiters and waitresses working in the breakfast hall who were all very professional and kind, especially Serenay and Aleyna. We actually met Serenay on our previous visit and we were delighted to see her again this time as she was very helpful, polite and extremely patient when dealing with all the guests during her shifts. All of the ladies and gents waiters and waitresses are very hard-working including Serenay and the hotel is very lucky to have them as part of their team. The hotel staff members became close to us like a family and we felt like we were at home. The breakfast was delicious as usual and had a wide selection of tasty food and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. We also made a request for our rooms to be interconnected like the previous time prior to our arrival and the team was kindly able to accommodate this. The hotel is located in Old City Istanbul near all of the main tourist attractions (Haghia Sophia Mosque, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Gulhane Park, Topkapi Palace) and there are very nice restaurants and shops nearby. The hotel also has an amazing rooftop which we enjoyed going to as it gives a lovely, scenic view of the city. We highly recommend all tourists visiting Istanbul to stay at the Radisson President Hotel and we will always come back here and only to this hotel everytime as it has become like a second home to us.

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“Amazing experience”

This was the best experience I have ever had with hotel staff in my life. the only problem with my stay is that the ac was broken.

“Great base for a long weekend in Istanbul - with our two day itinerary!”

Booked this for my weekend birthday, arrived Friday afternoon until Monday morning. We had the most amazing time in Istanbul and would highly recommend it - just wished we could have stayed longer! The hotel is a 15 minute walk to the main tourist attractions (Hagia Sophia etc.). We used Google... more

Booked this for my weekend birthday, arrived Friday afternoon until Monday morning. We had the most amazing time in Istanbul and would highly recommend it - just wished we could have stayed longer! The hotel is a 15 minute walk to the main tourist attractions (Hagia Sophia etc.). We used Google Maps to walk to restaurants and back to the hotel in the evenings - it did take us down deserted back streets and alleys, piled with rubbish - we felt safe but I wouldn't have done if didn't have my husband with me. The hotel is on a hill, bring sensible shoes - not a chance going out with heels on in the evenings! Taxi costs/Transfer time to and from airport: Just a note to be aware of when booking with Easyjet holidays: we paid £100 for a private transfer both ways with EasyJet (which I now realise is extortionate and more than double what it should be!). I received the email from them the day before telling me to go to gate 14 and get the taxi there. They gave us a number to call if issues and warned us not to get into another taxi. There was no taxi there, and so I called the number - the Turkish guy said they didn't have a contract with Easyjet anymore - so I called Easyjet, they said they had emailed me the day before to tell me this and had refunded my £100! They hadn't sent me an email (in fact it was the opposite, they told me where to get the taxi etc!) and they haven't (yet!) refunded me! Moral of this tale: We obviously had to get and pay for a taxi at the airport - it cost us 1400 Turkish Lira. (A couple we spoke to got charged 2500 Turkish Lira - one way!) Coming in from the airport, the traffic was horrendous and it took 1 hour 40 mins to get from the airport to the hotel. Going to the airport, the hotel desk sorted us a taxi - it cost 900 Turkish Lira - this is possibly around what you should be paying. Going to the airport, no traffic, and it took 40 mins. The hotel: We traveled as a couple with our teenage daughter and stayed in a triple room. It had two singles pushed together and daughter had a proper single bed (not a sofa bed!). The beds were really firm and really comfy. The room was small but doable as we were barely in it! We were on the first floor - don't expect a room with a view! On arrival, we were warmly greeted by the concierge team, they got our cases out of the taxi, check-in was fast and cases taken up to our room. The room was cleaned everyday, and fresh towels provided when needed. The bathroom was a nice size with a walk in shower. Loads of plug sockets in the room to get everything charged overnight etc. Tea and coffee facilities were replenished, as was bottled water. Free safe in the wardrobe. The air-con was not great, even though there's a controller on the wall I would say it was centrally controlled and was a bit too warm for our liking. Though we were so tired after a day exploring, we all slept well. The hotel must have picked up from the booking that it was my birthday and left a chocolate cake and cute card in the room, which I thought was lovely! Breakfast was great - a wide ranging continental style, with freshly squeezed pink grapefruit and orange, not that nasty cordial stuff! Machine coffee was excellent too (how often do you read that?!). They do omelettes and fried eggs, if you ask. Stunning views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the breakfast room. There's a nice sized pool, with a pool bar and spa facilities (we just didn't get the time to enjoy these). There's an English themed pub, which served cocktails and beer at a reasonable price. It was really quiet. Nice to sit in and have a drink before heading off to bed. The waiter in there was great, really attentive and polite. Our only minor criticism was the roof top bar - my daughter and I waited on the veranda in the evening to be served for 30 minutes, there were 4/5 waiters stood around inside doing nothing. There was only one other couple in the entire place whom they kept coming out talking to, even bringing the lady a blanket - they totally ignored us. My husband arrived to meet us and we just left and went to the English bar. Our itinerary: Friday late arrival: Dinner at Hidden Garden Day 1 - Saturday: Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace and Harem Shopping and exploring the Grand Bazaar Dinner at Garden 1897 Day 2 - Sunday: Blue Mosque and park Basilica Cistern Two hour cruise on the Bosphorus Dinner at Antakya (just round the corner from the hotel)

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