Hotel in Istanbul

[Lichtgestalt]

Hi folks,
we will be going to Istanbul for a long weekend in Feb. Anyone got a hotel recommendation? Things to do (or not) which aren't the main tourist attractions?
Thanks

[Kooky]

I can tell you all about the airport hotels (2 airports).

[Morrolan]

istanbul??

[Lichtgestalt]

Wasn't my idea

[skank-la]

Havent been there in ages so cant recommend hotel but Istanbul is actually great fun

Besides wandering for hours around the spice bazaar make a point of going to the Cagaloglu Hamami
turkish bath. Mentioned prominently in the '100 Places to See Before You Die' book. I literally go there every day when in Istanbul to soak up the atmosphere & have a nice personal steam clean.

Eating fresh fish sandwiches down at the Euro side of the Bosporus with the frying fish in one of the boat & the fishing lines at the other end is great fun & a gastronomic treat.

[Kooky]

Oh I'm sure it's a fabulous place, Lichty. I've wanted to go for many years but for some reason never made it.

I'd love to go back in better circumstances and explore - it really is a city of 2 cultures, that much is obvious as soon as you cross the Bosphorus. One airport was full of scantly-clad holidamakers, the other women in long skirts and headscarves (and bewildered, stuck, travellers).

Jolly Roger and the Cabin Boy have a holiday apartment there; I'll see if they have any recommendations.

[canuck]

[slinky]

You're reading my mind, Canuck!

[Bob the Builder]

Kempinski Ciragan Palace is excellent - right on the Bosphorus. There's also new Four Seasons right next door

[Lichtgestalt]

Oh great... now Doener Air isn't safe either

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -bomb.html

Turkish Airlines passengers overpower 'hijacker' claiming to have a bomb
Passengers aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Oslo have overpowered a would-be hijacker as the plane landed at Istanbul airport. Police said the man was a Turk who had demanded that the plane return to Norway. His motive was unclear.

Reports suggest he tried to force his way into the cockpit of the plane saying: "I have a bomb."

The pilot notified emergency services at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. Passengers were quickly taken off after landing and the man was arrested and the bomb found to be a fake.

"I was sitting at the front end of the plane and I heard voices at the back of the plane around 30 minutes before we landed," said Lelya Kilic, one of the 60 passengers aboard flight TK1754 from Oslo.

"I saw a fight between passengers and a man with a mask, carrying a device that looked like a radio handset." Police said a passenger had been sitting on top of the hijacker when they entered the plane. Police identified the hijacker as Cuma Yasar, 40, and Anatolia news agency said the man was carrying a card identifying him as a disabled person.

Salim Tahar, a passenger, told Norwegian television that someone in the back of the aircraft had put on a mask and threatened to blow up the plane in the air.

"The man spoke Turkish and demanded the plane return to Oslo," Mr Tahar said.

He said the crew moved the other passengers to the front of the plane, while the would-be hijacker remained at the back.

There were no reports of anyone being hurt in the incident.

[gulistanbul]

Istanbul airport shuttle provides a simple but efficient airport shuttle service operating 7 days a week between istanbul airport. They use experienced English speaking drivers who are specialized in the door-to-door transport of passengers and who know their way around www.istanbultransfer.net our fleet of mini-vans and cars offer a comfortable, reliable and economical transport into or out of pstis. No need to queue for taxis with their uncertain rates, or drag your bags around searching for public transport.

[Morrolan]

are you selling something?

[Kooky]

The crazyman that drove me between airports was the highlight of my trip.

[canuck]

Morr: that post was actually quite useful and without a handbag link, you are such a cynic

[Morrolan]

Morr: that post was actually quite useful and without a handbag link, you are such a cynic

thanks, i try...