Hotel Venera Istanbul Old City

“GREAT HOTEL, GREAT LOCATION!”

Arrived at the hotel in the very early hours of the morning, check-in was fairly quick, the triple room we booked was really small, insufficient space to open out 3 large suitcases and store hand luggage! However, the morning shift front desk staff quickly resolved the situation offering us a more… more

Arrived at the hotel in the very early hours of the morning, check-in was fairly quick, the triple room we booked was really small, insufficient space to open out 3 large suitcases and store hand luggage! However, the morning shift front desk staff quickly resolved the situation offering us a more spacious triple room and we were happy campers from that point! 10/10 for location, the hotel is so conveniently located, close to all the city's delightful sightseeing, the grand bazaar a stones throw away, shopping, dining and the tram a few minutes walk away. Rooms were very clean and comfortable, decor smart and minimalist and super clean toilets. The staff were excellent, special mention must be made about GRO Gûnez, Bellman Bulent, who was not only helpful but always smiling and ready to serve. Ayhan Bey the F&B Manager also so helpful. The breakfast Buffet was the only disappointment, the food was without flavour, without innovation and choices were not many. A bread toaster in any hotel worldwide is the norm, it was lacking at this property and i would say it was inconnvenient to have to send a slice of bread to the kitchen to be toasted. A pity in an otherwise lovely hotel, in which I will still stay again and again for all the other plus points. It's a mystery how the breakfast could have been so bad because we did dine on the 8th floor on atleast 3 occasions and the food was really well prepared and well presented! I would give top marks for everything else. I would stay here by choice again!

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“Comfortable stay with good breakfast”

Upon arriving at Venera late at night, we were quickly checked into our room. The check-in process was efficient and we were given information about breakfast timings. The concierge promptly took our bags to the room, but there was little effort to make us feel welcome after our long journey, which… more

Upon arriving at Venera late at night, we were quickly checked into our room. The check-in process was efficient and we were given information about breakfast timings. The concierge promptly took our bags to the room, but there was little effort to make us feel welcome after our long journey, which was disappointing. No welcoming conversation was made after such a long tiring trip. The room itself was decent, with fresh sheets, towels, and pillows provided daily. However, the cleaners did not sweep the carpet or mop the bathroom floor regularly, which is what we expected. However it may be possible that this was not done as we did not really make much mess. Soap was plentiful, and some days we received fresh water bottles, although this was inconsistent. The minibar situation was unclear, as there was no clear information about whether the drinks were complimentary, and with the staff’s limited English, it was hard to get an answer. Our family room was ideal with a connecting room for children and clean bathroom with all the amenities. We had slippers and hair dryer available too. No bath gowns were provided as is expected in a 4star but plenty of towels. The swimming pool is small but ok if you want a quick dip. Lovely turkish bath and sauna can fit at least 4 people although they have a 2 person limit at a time. It's a shame the spa opens after 2pm as it would have been nice to go for a quick swim/sauna/bath before a day of sightseeing and I wish this was made clear upon booking as we booked this hotel specifically for the spa options, which we weren't able to make use of due to the timings. Towels are not provided at the spa you have to take your room towels. The ladies changing room is a small closet with a sink and toilet and some lockers, no showers in changing room so you have to clean up and shower in your room which means reusing the same towel you took down with you and wiped down with after the swimming. Breakfast was served on the rooftop terrace, offering beautiful views of the sea. The spread was impressive for a four-star hotel, featuring a variety of options including Turkish menemen, omelettes, pancakes, fresh breads, sigara böreği, pastries, cheeses, and different types of salami and turkey ham. There were fresh fruits, delicious chocolate cakes, biscuits, and Turkish lentil soup (mercimek çorbası) available too. A coffee machine, fruit juices, and tea were offered, along with cereals and Turkish desserts like tres leches. There was even chicken nuggets and fries for children who prefer simple foods. The only downside was the lack of a toaster and the egg/pancake station not operating on the weekend, but overall, there were plenty of choices to satisfy everyone. The staff were kind and courteous, though their English was minimal. With some persistence and the help of Google Translate, we managed to communicate. While the language barrier posed some challenges, it also added to the experience of immersing ourselves in a different culture and learning to connect despite the differences. Overall, Venera provides a comfortable stay with a decent breakfast selection and nice rooms, even if there’s room for improvement. Lovely location with easy links to tram and metro station. Lots of shopping to do around the hotel and supermarket and eateries are not far as well as places of prayer.

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“Very good hotel”

Very good hotel! Excellent location. Breakfast was very good and varied. Service was good. The hotel and the rooms were clean, but the only problem was that the room was too small. It was a single room, I don’t know if double rooms are also small.

“Good for a short visit in Istanbul”

This hotel is perfect for a short stay in Istanbul. The rooms are not very big, however the hotel is spacious. Everything is clean. Breakfast that is included in the room is not very good. We went early to breakfast and the restaurant was extremely cold as they didn't turn on the AC ahead. The view… more

This hotel is perfect for a short stay in Istanbul. The rooms are not very big, however the hotel is spacious. Everything is clean. Breakfast that is included in the room is not very good. We went early to breakfast and the restaurant was extremely cold as they didn't turn on the AC ahead. The view from that restaurant is splendid.

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