Galatahan Hotel Istanbul Karakoy

I was very pleased with this hotel. It's conveniently located, just a 5-minute walk from Galata Tower and 10 minutes from the Fish Bridge and the Bosphorus Strait. My window faced a quiet, peaceful street, and the only thing that kept me from sleeping at night were the seagulls. The staff were very pleasant, polite, and responsive. They provided an iron for my room upon request. Towels were changed daily, trash was emptied, and the shampoo, shower gel, and soap bottles were refilled. The room had fresh renovations and clean bed linen. There was a kettle, cups, glasses, and tea bags. Bottled water was brought to the room every day. The breakfasts were very tasty and filling (eggs, bread, butter, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, coffee, tea, and more). My room was on the third floor, and there's an elevator, which was very convenient. There's also a beautiful spiral staircase that adds charm to the hotel. Overall, the hotel's atmosphere is conducive to a pleasant stay.

The room was really small, especially compared to other places in the same price range. However, the staff were very friendly and the location was excellent. The only real issue was how noisy it was facing the street.

This was our second stay at this hotel. Among all the options, Galatahan stood out for its location, breakfast availability, and price. It's part of a mini-hotel association, and the staff are pleasant. Regarding the downsides, we had requested a room away from the elevator, but we were given one right next to it. In the mornings, guests waiting for the elevator would chat, and it was quite audible. However, the view compensated for everything. So, if you're an early riser, room 41 might suit you. But there were a few things that could be improved: 1) There was no shelf in the bathroom, only traces that one used to be there… it was inconvenient to place toiletries on the edge of the sink. 2) The hairdryer was on its last legs – the cap was broken, it rattled, and it overheated… I was worried it would burn my hair. 3) On our last day, it rained, and water dripped from the window, soaking my foot (which meant my last clean sock before my flight was ruined). 4) The pillow had split into two large lumps. 5) The TV remote stopped working, so we had to turn on the TV using the button on the set itself. If these minor issues don't bother you, and you're looking for an affordable place with breakfast and a good location, then go for it. Many hotels in Istanbul are in a similar condition unless you're opting for a heavy luxury suite.