Adonis Palace

I was rather worried by the reviews on here before staying at the Adonis, but I feel that people have been unfairly harsh. The neighbourhood is not pristine but its a far cry from a rubbish strewn red light district. My friend and I enjoyed walking about the area and looking at the dilapidated buildings and local shops and it was only a short 10 minute walk to the main attractions. Not once did we (two girls) feel unsafe and if you do there are taxis all over Istanbul (just be careful with the meter and your change). The walk is up a hill but it is not a large one and really no problem at all. The hotel is clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful, giving us advice on prices before we entered the grand bazaar and sitting down with us to draw on maps and help with directions. The room we'd booked on a deal was a double but seeing we werent a couple they immediately changed us to a twin with a energetic porter to carry all our bags. The room was clean and basic but it still had a television, fridge, ensuite, plenty of wardrobe space etc so not as basic as all that! Some people have commented on the noise but neither of us found it at all noisy, maybe because we were on 3rd floor and at back away from the road? The room looked out over rooftops and to the sea. Beautiful. They also have free internet access in the lobby and despite the slightly shabby look of the building outside the inside is really rather nicely presented. My one negative comment was that out of our 3 night stay there was no water on 2 of the nights when we returned from our days out. We got back generally around 7.30pm and the water came on around 10.00pm. It certainly is not a five star resort or a boutique hotel but its clean, pleasant and in a good location which suited us perfectly.

Adonis is not at all what you would be lead to believe. It in an average area during the day but during the night forget it. The breakfast was good. However my shower was cold the entire time and the staff were rude or trying to pick up a solo female traveler. Not a comfortable thought, Bed was lumpy but lucky i wore myself outside during the day sight seeing. It maybe cheap but i would recommend looking else where.

This is a small and simple hotel in the old city called Kumkapi or Fish Village. Just around the corner you find many fish restaurants and in the opposite direction you find the Grand Bazaar on top of quite a steep hill, but not hard to get to. The very helpful Managing Director Jacub is a plus for the place and a big help in finding what you want to see, and the breakfast area in the open is nice too. We found it to be in walking distance of everything typical touristy. If you want to take a taxi to the hotel make sure you say that the Hotel is in Kumkapi. It took us three days to understand how to make the taxi drive directly to the hotel without have to drive for ages and end up in a parallel road etc, but from then on it was very easy.

Liked the hotel very much. Not in a touristy area, though within easy access to tourist spots, mind you we like walking! Add five minutes on to their times. Friendly and clean. Breakfast was varied and plentiful. Would definitely go back.

The hotel its self was ok for the price and the start rating,but was not as listed after my recent visit on the 30 Aug I am left feeling a little disappointed,On arrival at the hotel the area looked very dirty with litter bags everywhere,We were given a room facing the street,big mistake this was so noisy ,music going to 7am dustbin lorries and road sweepers up and down all night.shop keepers talking loudly as if in your room with you.We moved the next morning to a room over the bar which was a lot quieter. I booked the hotel as It states there is a roof top restaurant which over looks the Bosphoros,well this just does not exsist it was totally closed,there was also no choice of hot breakfast as stated only Tradional Turkish Breakfast. The hotel states it has recently been refurbished unfortunately this is not true either,the rooms are clean and tidy,but becareful how you leave things in your rooms the cleaners tend to be a bit nosey. The last thing i Will advise is that the major attractions are a good 3/4 walk from the hotel not 5 minutes as stated.We tolerated the hotel as it was only a weekend stay but would not return again. The good side to the hotels was the fact that behind the hotels was the famous fish restaurants,where the atmosphere and food was great. Sally

We would not recommend this hotel at all. The description as provided by the web site is misleading and the distances it provides for its location from the main tourist sites are incorrect. As other reviewers have mentioned the hotel sits at the bottom of a very steep hill in an unattractive area of Istanbul. It is not strictly Sultanahmet but an area called Kumkapi. We were asked by a number of people including one of the employess in the internet cafe next door to the hotel as to what possessed us to stay in this area because of the reputation the area has for muggings, drugs, prostitution. The hotel facilities are poor...the shower continuously flooded, the rooms are dark and dingy and the hotel needs a good face lift. One could argue that we should expect this for the price we paid however the web site advertised itself with what now appears to be dated photographs including one of the roof terrace. This, as another reviewer has noted, is no longer in use and now appears to be a graveyard for broken tables and chairs. During our time in the area we visited a number of hotels which were actually located in the Sultanahmet area (not Kumkapi) which were much better located, much better standard and similar price as the Adonis Palace. As such we cut short our stay at the Adonis Palace and moved elsewhere despite the fact that we had paid the Adonis Palace for the full week. The only positive thing one can write about this hotel is the hotel staff who were friendly, attentive and helpful. Overall we would strongly recommend that you do not stay at this hotel.

Overall we had a fabulous time in Istanbul although the Adonis Palace left a bit to be desired! On arrival we were told that our room was not available as the hotel was overbooked despite us having booked in advance - we were taken to an alternative which was really horrible and told we would be picked up at 8am when our room would be ready. At 11am we were collected and taken to the Adonis where our "special sea view double room"! was still not ready. We went out and on our return at 5pm we were given the keys to a "main road view room" with twin beds, broken toilet seat and non-functioning curtains and fridge, along with the 'only works if your sitting down shower'. The hotel is at least 20 minutes walk from the blue mosque etc not 5 minutes as it says and please be aware if you are disabled in any way the steepness of the hills around it would make it not ideal for you. On the good side, the staff are really pleasant and helpful (if a little forgetful) - the turkish breakfast was plentiful, the room was clean and the lift works. The garden area is pleasnat but we didn't see any bosphorous views from it as its completly surrounded by concrete from other buildings. If your looking for cheap, clean cheerful accomodation within an ok area and don't mind a walk to see the sights then this hotel is fine but honestly when we do return to istanbul it wont be to the adonis palace.

We liked the location of the hotel but had some problems. We booked for a queen bed, but once we were there we were told they didn't have any. We called from the airport to see if our room was ready, they said yes, we got there and had to wait an hour. It is a steep uphill walk to reach the tram and sights, but you are close to the water and fishing center. The overall decor and feel of the place is quaint. But our room was one floor up facing the street so it was very noisy ALL night. The rooms were clean. The shower was just in the bathroom but there was no squeegee to help drain the water so the floor remained wet for hours. Also there were no fitted sheets on the matress and the sheets didn't quite cover the matress. There is a nice courtyard in the hotel. And the staff was friendly. The morning we left the staff forgot our wake up call! Unacceptable.

We stayed at Adonis Palace Hotel 22-26th Apri 2007. the hotel is very clean, well kept, with a fantastic little courtyard, lovely sitting room area and good dining area. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, and there was plenty of hot water. We had a twin room at the back (301), and it was quiet, although I understand the rooms at the front can be noisy at night. The hotel is a couple of streets back from the Bosphorous, and the local fish market. During the day the area serves mostly local wholesale commerce (leather, shoe makers, wholesalers) - which for us was great, as we were on a stock buying/partly sightseeing trip. During the night it became altogether different, and I would not want to walk out after midnight unless you were accompanied - especially if you are female. This hotel is not near to the 'tourist sites', to the main tourist area it was a good 10/15 minutes uphill on some cobbles to reach the main street that leads into Sultanhamet Square, if you are a strong walker maybe less. I believe the website states 5mins to the main attractions - it certainly isn't! But saying all that, if you want a fantastic hotel with a lift, friendly informative staff who cannot do enough for you, clean rooms for budget prices, and an insight into a local area which is near to the water then this hotel is for you. As a hotel is was brilliant, its location is for those who prefer to be outside the tourist fray. Also, if you need to contact home, immediately next door to the hotel is a phone booth and internet cafe - I phoned home to UK for over 10mins, and it cost me less than a £1!! The owner is really friendly, and helpful. Great facility. I would recommend Adonis Palace as a hotel, and would visit again. Julie

my girlfriend and i had the pleasure of staying at the Adonis "palace" at the end of August while we attended the Turkish Grand Prix. i personally really enjoyed my stay there, however I value a friendly and ameniable staff above luxury accomadation. The hotel is very basic and desperately in need of a face lift. Shower screen was broken T.V. was bobbins and the room was a bit cramped, however it was cleaned thoroughly every day and the air con was spot on. The roof terrace as featured on their website is a definite must!!! ( the views of the thunderstorms and the hustle and bustle below were excellent). there was nothing up there except broken patio furniture, a bottle full of a yellowish liquid?? and grime. All in all I honestly enjoyed my stay at the Adonis, it is not so cheap and cheerful. Yakup on the front desk is a true gent and all the rest of the staff were superb too. Istanbul is a fabulous place and me and the girlfriend will definitely return one day, maybe even to the Adonis "Palace"