Hotel Ipek Palas, Istanbul

The hotel room was much better than I expected, although quite small, which made moving around a bit challenging with our luggage. The view overlooked an excavation site next to the hotel, and the room was very hot but perfect for the Christmas period.

The hotel is in a good location in the heart of the lively Sirkeci area, with lots of eateries nearby and stores to buy souvenirs. The rooms are tiny with limited space but clean, and the staff is friendly, although their English is not very fluent. The dining options are okay but small, offering multiple choices for different tastes. Overall, a convenient hotel with some limitations in room size and language proficiency.

The hotel's rooms, though small, were very clean with enough space and offered a panoramic view of Istanbul, making it a great start to the day. The service, particularly the breakfast staff, was excellent and helpful. The location is perfect for exploring the old city and very near the tram stop, but the building itself seemed a bit run down. The dining experience was rich and varied, catering to all tastes, although the breakfast area could have been better. Overall, a good value for money option with friendly and auxiliary staff.