When I stay in Instanbul, I stay at the Hotel Ibrahim Pasha  http://www.ibrahimpasha.com/ which is very nice, located very near the Blue Mosque and has a great view from the rooftop.  You can reserve on-line and I've found that you can also negotiate on room rates from those posted on the internet with a little bit of extra effort and communication.  Great resurants near by, and a continental breakfast comes with the room rate if you ask.  My daughter, Michelle, also leaded small groups to Turkey from Seattle and she also has other great and perhaps more reasonable recommendations.  She is also an AFAR member and you can e-mail her at michelle@brooksrand.com 

Posted Nov 26, 2010

Any Hamam in Istanbul will increase your wellness :).   The Galata Hamam is prob the most popular with tourists.  They're not exactly retreats but its a great experience and the hot baths are relaxing (though the rigorous scrubbing you get isn't, hehe).  

For a quirky place to stay try Grand Hotel de Londres in Beyoglu (Istanbul).  

For further relaxation head to Old Istanbul for a hookah and some tea (always does the trick for me). 

Posted Nov 28, 2010

Hi Stefanie

I have a different kind of accommodation to propose to you. When I was in Istanbul I stopped for a coffee to a place named "House cafe". There I start talking with a person and after a while I understood that he was the owner. Finally he told me that except of the cafe, he also designed and rents apartments around istanbul. Recently, not more than a year, he also opened a hotel. I totally recommend both the appartements and the hotel. You can check them on the site: http://www.thehouseapart.com/

About the wellness retreat, I enjoyed very much the "Cemberlitas" hammam at the old town.

Enjoy your journey

Posted Nov 28, 2010

When I went, I stayed at Hotel Empress Zoe. http://www.emzoe.com/main.html It is beautiful little hotel near everything Sultanahmet. There are no spa amenities at this hotel though. There is a Four Seasons close by though.

Posted Nov 24, 2010

During a month in Turkey, we stayed about 10 days at the Richmond Hotel on İstiklal Street. It's a great location in the historic district. Modern, little personality, but otherwise perfect. Good rate through Agoda. Nice breakfast in near rooftop room. No spa. Nice staff, free internet, no concierge. International clientele.

Posted Nov 26, 2010

Try the Best Western in Sultanahmet.  It has a rooftop cafe with spectacular views of the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus, and Hajia Sophia.  Very reasonably priced and the hamams nearby can offer R&R in the true Turkish tradition.  You're also in walking distance of the Market.

Posted Nov 27, 2010

I loved the new House Hotel in Cukurcuma when I stayed there in June. It's not big on wellness per se, but it's excellent and reasonably priced. It's new and hip, but the rooms are comfortable (provided you're cool with having a glass shower in the middle of the bedroom -- sounds weird but it works if you're alone or traveling with a romantic partner). They do a great breakfast too. I was told the Cagaloglou hammam is the best of the traditional hammams and wasn't disappointed.

Posted Nov 28, 2010

We're keen on the Sumahan at the moment. It's in Cengelkoy, which is a boat ride from the historic center and Taksim, but more off the beaten path. They have a wellness center.

Posted Nov 29, 2010

Had a lovely stay at Hotel Kupeli in Eminonu last fall, hotel is right down the street from the tram and public transportation, and the amazing Cerberlitas Hamami.  Also within walking distance of the Grand Bazaar and mosques, and near my personal favorite, The Spice Bazaar.  www.hotelkupeli.com

You will love Istanbul, it is an incredible city and I can't wait to go back!

Posted Nov 29, 2010

Take a look at the House Hotels and House Apartments. Very cool company with great sense of style and comfort. The House Cafe's are great too. If you really want to go all-out stay at the Park Hyatt, which has a private Hammam in every room!!

Posted Nov 30, 2010

Hi.  I've stayed at the Vardar Palace. I got their smallest room, which I found to be totally sufficient. It cost me something like $55 a night and is about a block from Taksim Square. If you're a budget traveler who still wants a clean, stress-free place to stay, they're a good one.  I emailed vardarhotel@superonline.com to book my room.

Shane

www.backpackertees.com

Posted Dec 03, 2010

Hotel Agan they will give you a good deal and its clean, hotel olypmiat also.

Posted Dec 13, 2010

My wife and I stayed at the Hotel Sari Konak (http://www.istanbulhotelsarikonak.com/) and we loved it. If you end up staying there try to get room 303. Its well laid out.

My review of Hotel Sari Konak Trip Advisor:

This hotel is a gem. The service is very good, the location is amazing, views from the roof deck are incredible and the rooms are nicely appointed and tidy. We really enjoyed our seven night stay at the Sari Konak and, if you are thinking about spending some time in Istanbul, we highly recommend it.

Rooms: We stayed in room #303, which the Lonely Planet guide recommends. We concur. Our only complaint was that the mattress could have been a little newer. Keep in mind this isn't the Ritz Carlton. However, it is a nice B&B/boutique place and the pricing matches that status.

Location: If you like walking like we do (don't mind walking a couple miles here and there) then most sites and parts of the city are accessible via your own two feet. Alternatively, the clean and easy-to-use tram system is just blocks away and can take you quickly and easily to any part of the city.

Cleanliness: Our room and the hotel itself were incredibly clean. We were amazed and honestly wonder how they do it.

Cost: The rooms are very reasonably priced and the rates include breakfast each day. On top of that, a 10% discount is given to those who pay for their stay in cash (Turkish Lira, Euros or US Dollars).

Posted Dec 14, 2010

this is a great inexpensive hotel, fabulous location, rooftop restaurant with view of blue mosque and bosphorous.... no spa but you can exercise walking all over Istanbul... within walking distance of all the big sites.  photo attached is from your room!   This is where the postcard you see all around Istanbul was shot.   ask for a room on the third floor.

http://www.hotelarcadiaistanbul.com/eng/index.html

Posted Dec 17, 2010

I stayed for a week at this little hotel in Sultanahmet, and then later went back again.  The Modern Sultan is conveniently located across from the Archeological Museum and within walking distance of all the sights.  The owners are two women from Canada.  I loved it there, the prices were very reasonable.  Nice place, like a home away from home.  Good breakfasts, too.

www.modernsultan.com

Posted Dec 19, 2010

I passed this along to my friends Thane and Melissa, who left Istanbul rwo weeks ago after 4 months.

Thane sez

<<A wellness center, no clue but hotels there are quite a few.  If
staying for a few days only I would set myself up in Sultanahmet and
check tripadvisor for hotels there.  If staying for a week or more I
would get a vacation rental in Beyoğlu across the Golden Horn. Easy to
get around, great bus to the airport lots of cheap eats.>>

Posted Dec 21, 2010

We stayed at Hotel Empress Zoe - great location, great staff, wonderful breakfast, and really unique fun accommodations and reasonably priced ... It doesn't have a wellness center but the staff can direct you to a spa. Also look at Sofa Hotel ... I think may be more expensive but looks elegant, modern, new, and has a wellness center. We didn't stay there though.

Posted Dec 26, 2010

Hello Stefanie, I don't stay in hotels that much as I live in Istanbul but I work as a tourist guide so that makes me work with many hotels. Good located and reasonable hotels are Bilinc hotel in Beyazit, Hatay hotel in Sirkeci, Anzac hotel in Cankurtaran, Sunlight hotel in Gedikpasa. I hope one of them will be suitable for you.

Posted Jun 06, 2012