Live prices for your dates · free cancellation on many rooms

Guest house · Istanbul · Istanbul Province

Ararat Hotel

A 4-star stay in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, with rooftop views over the Marmara Sea and easy walking access to the city's most iconic landmarks.

  • Rooftop terrace with views over the Marmara Sea and Blue Mosque
  • Walk to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace
  • 24-hour reception and paid airport shuttle
7.9 Very good 448 reviews Booking.com 7.9 · 448 reviews

About

Ararat Hotel

Ararat Hotel sits on a quiet street in Sultanahmet, Istanbul's historic heart. The hotel's rooftop terrace frames the Blue Mosque and the Marmara Sea, while the lively restaurant district and major sights are just a stroll away. Inside, rooms are air-conditioned and decorated in a romantic, stylish style, with amenities like free Wi-Fi in public areas and a shared kitchen.

The hotel offers practical touches for travellers: 24-hour reception, luggage storage, currency exchange, and a paid airport shuttle. Breakfast is served in a homely room at the top of the hotel, with outside terraces for warm mornings. For those exploring further afield, the staff can arrange tours, car hire, and laundry services.

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Location in the heart of Sultanahmet — The hotel sits minutes from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with restaurants and bazaars on the doorstep.
  • Rooftop terrace with landmark views — Guests consistently highlight the rooftop terrace for its views over the Blue Mosque and the Marmara Sea.
  • Friendly and helpful staff — Reviewers describe the staff as cooperative, friendly, and helpful across day and night shifts.
  • Stylish and romantic room design — Guests note the rooms are beautifully decorated and air-conditioned, with a romantic atmosphere.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Some rooms are very small — One guest described their room as about 7 square metres, with the bed taking up most of the space, and noted no separate bathroom – the shower drained onto the toilet floor.
  • Breakfast buffet is limited — While tasty, the breakfast spread is not extensive, though most guests found something they liked.
  • Facilities score is low — The property's Facilities rating is notably lower than other categories, at 3.3 out of 10.
  • No pets allowed — The hotel does not permit pets on site.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Deluxe Double Room

  • 1 King-size bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Double Room City View

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Comfort Triple Room Shower

  • 1 King-size bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Deluxe Family Room

  • 2 Single beds

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Locker room
  • Currency exchange
  • Coffee shop
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Services

  • Paid airport shuttle
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Car hire
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Grocery shopping service
  • Welcome drink
  • Happy hour

In-room

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Mini-bar
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities
  • Free toiletries
  • Electric kettle
  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock

Food & Drink

  • Restaurant
  • Snack bar
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Picnic area/ Tables
  • Dinner
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus
  • In-room breakfast
  • Children's menu

Common Areas

  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Shared kitchen
  • Sun terrace
  • BBQ facilities
  • Leisure/ TV room

Entertainment

  • Video games
  • Board games
  • Fax/Photocopying
  • Parquet floor
  • Fishing

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

7.9
Very good 448 reviews

Guest-rated 7.9/10 from 448 reviews

Booking.com · 7.9 · 448 reviews
7.9Verified guest

“The food scene around here is superb – I had fantastic Turkish meals at Mesale Restaurant nearby. The location is unbeatable, just steps from the Blue Mosque and a lively bazaar, and the staff were really helpful.”

7.9Verified guest

“My room had a terrace and included Wi-Fi. The bed was huge, and the staff – both day and night shifts – were friendly and cooperative.”

7.9Verified guest

“Staff were welcoming and helpful, and the rooftop terrace was a highlight. The location suited us perfectly. Breakfast wasn't huge, but the selection was tasty and varied enough that everyone found something.”

7.9Verified guest

“Easy access to all the key attractions. The rooftop terrace gives a lovely view of the surroundings, especially the Blue Mosque.”

7.9Verified guest

“The worst hotel I've ever stayed in. My room was about 7 square metres, with 5 of them taken up by the bed. There was no separate bathroom – the shower water ran onto the toilet floor. That said, the hotel has a certain romantic charm, especially if you're prepared to feel young, poor, and homeless.”

7.9Verified guest

“The staff, the facilities, and the room design are all stylish and romantic.”

04 — Location

Getting around Istanbul

The property sits in Istanbul.

Sultanahmet: The hotel is in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district, steps from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. The area is lively with restaurants and bazaars.

Marmara Sea views: The rooftop terrace offers views over the Marmara Sea, and the hotel overlooks the water in parts.

Torun Sok. No:3 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul Province, 34400, Türkiye

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 14:00-23:59
Check-out
By 11:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
12 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14:00 to 23:59, and check-out is until 11:00.

Is parking available at the hotel?

The hotel offers public parking nearby, but there is no on-site parking. Please contact the hotel for details on the nearby public parking.

Are pets allowed at Ararat Hotel?

No, pets are not allowed on site.

Does the hotel offer airport shuttle service?

Yes, the hotel provides a paid airport shuttle. One guest noted it was about 20–25 minutes from the airport by taxi, costing 34 Lira.

Is breakfast included?

The hotel offers in-room breakfast and has a breakfast room at the top of the hotel with outside terraces. The breakfast buffet is described as tasty but not extensive.

The bottom line

Ararat Hotel is a solid choice for travellers who prioritise location and rooftop views over spacious rooms and extensive facilities. If you're planning to spend most of your time exploring Sultanahmet's sights, the hotel's position and friendly staff make it a practical base – just manage expectations about room size and the breakfast spread.

7.9Best for sightseers who value location over space.

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