Good Value for Money but possibly not for those with Mobility Problems

We have just returned from spending a week at the Erboy and, thanks to TripAdviser, we had some idea of what to expect.

Situated only 5 minutes from all of the sites of the Old City there is much that is excellent at the Erboy:

1. The staff is friendly and generally efficient - a problem in my room (a blown light-bulb) was attended to quickly.

2. Our rooms were spotlessly clean, and cleaned thoroughly every day.

3. Bed linens were new and spotless.

4. Breakfast, which is included in the price, was excellent.

5. The restaurants serve very good food indeed!

6. Although there is only one computer in the lobby (which is not facing the lobby) the Hotel has recently installed wireless computer so you can use your laptops.

7. If you like hard beds this hotel is the place for you.

8. Every room has a telephone.

9. My airconditioner was fabulous.

There are several areas where the hotel is lacking and could be improved.

1. Remember to bring an alarmclock if you stay here because there are no clocks in the room and my wake-up calls didn't always happen.

2. If you have mobility problems you could find bathing a real problem. Each room has an en suite but the bathing facility is a shower/sit-tub which you have to climb over and then lower yourself into. There is no little step-stool. I found this difficult to manage.

3. As mentioned by another reviewer there are no chairs in the rooms - just a stool at the dressing table. I was surprised how inconvenient I found this to be.

4. Be sure to bring a wash cloth/face flannel as none is provided.

Aside from the problem with the bathing facilities none of the above are very serious.

Altogether I enjoyed my stay. The hotel is good value for money.

Great location, though not perfect.

The plus side: excellent location, friendly and helpful staff.

The down side: if you're a non-smoker you can smell smoke from any smoker next door. Also avoid room 116 if you can, it has a generator outside, covered with a dark plastic canopy which makes it very dark.

In conclusion: a basic, budget hotel.

Good for the younger people but hard going for older people

The Erboy hotel was ideally situated right in the heart of the tourist area. Only a few minutes walk from Aghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque. the Hippodrome, the Cisterns and above all Topkapi. Down hill a few minutes take you to the Eminonu harbour from which you can catch dozens of ferries and take a cruise up the Bosphorus. As a tourist centre it could not be beaten. The hotel was 3* and for the money was good value. It is clearly well known, judging by the many groups arriving from all over Europe. The staff were superb; you couldn't find nicer and more helpful people in a 5* hotel. Breakfast was generous and the Turkish restaurant downstairs was very good for dinner with many customers coming in off the street which is always a good sign. Everything was very clean. The linen and sheets were changed every day. As senior citizens we found the bedrooms less than satisfactory as there were no seats in the room. I would have liked a bath at the end of a hard day's walking through the horrible streets. The shower was superb. I did think there should be drawers to hold your clothes although the hanging space was good. My wife didn't mind living out of her suitcase but I did.

We spent the evenings in the foyer where the chairs weren't conducive to proper relaxation. The bar (and the bar man) was very good but if you can't stand smoke then it isn't the place for you. I would strongly recommend an inexpensive hotel taxi to and from the airport.The hotel is very speedy in replying to e mails. I would definitely recommend the hotel to a younger person. My opinion is coloured by the probability that we have reached the age where we need more creature comforts but we could have had that if we had paid accordingly but these hotels were all at some distance from the historic centre which surrounded this hotel. On balance it was good value for money. I would be happy to give any advice or information to prospective users of the Erboy hotel

Good Value

The hottel have these advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

Cheap Price

Excellent Central Location near all magot sites

Clean rooms

Good Buffet

Disadvantages

Small Rooms

No Fridge inside room

At the beginning they put us in two seperates beds allthough we booked for a king size bed and after a day they changed us to a double room

Hotel Review

For the cost, the hotel is excellent value. Good accommodation, excellent location for main sights. Dinner is not great although breakfasts are good. Would reccommend it to anyone.

Lovely Hotel, Clean, Comfortable and Close to Attractions....

Myself and my partner stayed at the Erboy Hotel for 9 days over New Year...

The rooms were clean, comfortable, warm, powerful hot water in the shower at all times with good maid service. The room itself was small, however it was fine for the two of us.

The hotel breakfasts were good, a good choice of foods, fruit juice, tea coffee etc...

The bar was lovely, small but warm and inviting and the staff were nice... they got used to us appearing at 2am and asking for a beer!

The reception staff spoke basic English and it was easy enough to communicate with them.

We never ate in the Ottoman restaurant at the bottom of the hotel, but it has great reviews from others.

The hotel is near Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque... and they are all worth a visit whilst you are there...

The hotel is located near Gulhane Tram stop where you can get the tram over Galata Bridge to Taksim area for some fantastic shopping, cinema, restaurants etc...

I loved Istanbul and when I return I would stay here again.

Convenient Location - Basic Accommodation

The Erboy is very well situated for seeing many of the main historic sights -Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. For other areas, a modern tram stops at the corner and takes you across the bridge to other side of the city. The hotel staff are polite and helpful but do not take the service standared beyond a basic level. You get what you pay for, and this was a very basic old European style hotel, with small rooms, warn towels, tired mattresses, and almost no closet space. I was alone, but do not know what I would have done had there been two of us in one room. I will complement, the property was very clean and breakfast generous.

I have stayed in backpacker hostels, but never a hotel that prohibits you from bringing food, drinks, or guests to your room. I guess these policies made me feel a bit like big brother was always watching. For example, the computer for guest use is carefully placed in the lobby where management can view the screen. I often stay in time share condos, settle in and make myself at home for the week. I really never felt comfortable here, like I should on vacation. It was basically an inexpensive place to sleep as chosen by a NYC travel agency.

Loved it!

My family and i stayed in Erboy Hotel for a week, and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The room was nice, the beds comfy, the bathroom was clean. Service staff were always helpful..and the cleaning ladies were darlings. The buffet breakfast is a definite plus with a wide spread of chpoces. Within walking distance to most attractions...would definitely recommend this to anyone heading to Istanbul. You won't regret it!

Good base to explore Istanbul

A group of five of us stayed here from 1-5 June. This is what we found:

Rooms:

Rooms were very clean and air conditioned. You feel as though the hotel may have once been an upmarket hotel in the past.

Service:

The hotel staff are friendly and try to assist guest. The language barrier can be a bit of a problem at times, but they are always willing to try and help. The buffet breakfast is very good and the dinner area is nice.

Location:

The hotel is in Old Istanbul a few minutes walk from the water and within walking distance to all major sights such as Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia & the Blue Mosque. There are many great restaurants around the hotel.

Overall:

A very well priced hotel in a great location. Definately recommend to anyone looking to stay in a good hotel in Istanbul.

Three Star Comfort

My wife & I stayed at the Erboy Hotel for 7 nights in early May prior to joining a Globus 14 day tour of Turkey

The room & onsuites are comfortable & kept spotless by the very friendly staff The included buffet breakfast is more than sufficent both in presentation and variety

The site of the hotel in relation to major tourist sites is great, a short walk to the Blue Mosque. Topaki Palace. Grand Bazaar.

If there was an option of a room with a minibar whether stocked or not,i think I would consider moving in fulltime

All in all a low cost & comfortable hotel to use as a base in Old Istanbul