Gencturk Cad. Sirvanizade Sok. Best Western Senator Otel No:7 Vefa
Dergah Ocakbasi
1100 ft
Gencturk Cad. Aga Yokusu Sok. No:29 Tahtakale
Reviews and Ratings
Reviews from guests about their experience.
58%
loved their spa retreat and can’t wait to return.
5.8/10
Guest rating
Rooms
5.4
Location
8.8
Service
6.8
Dining
5.4
Guest reviews
5.8/10
based on 5 reviews
3.5/5
based on 381 reviews
8.7
8.7/10 based on 5274 reviews
#564 of 2,436 hotels in Istanbul based on Tripadvisor
Hudson
United Kingdom,
March
2025
5.8/10
I had a mix of experiences during my stay. The location was perfect, just a short walk to the Vezneciler metro station and right opposite the stunning Suleymaniye Mosque. However, I faced some issues with the room's cleanliness and comfort, especially with the air conditioning. The breakfast had variety, but it fell short on quality at times, leading to some disappointing meals.
Rooms
5.0
I initially booked a standard double room, which was tiny and uncomfortable. After complaining, I got upgraded to a deluxe room, but it had some cleanliness issues with a mouldy vent and a malfunctioning air conditioner which affected my sleep.
Service
6.0
The staff were generally friendly and helpful, especially when I needed to switch rooms. However, I felt that the reception could be more attentive and organized, as they weren’t very welcoming at first.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was a standout feature. Being so close to the metro and major attractions made exploring the city super easy, plus I enjoyed the view of the mosque right across the street.
Dining
6.0
The breakfast buffet offered lots of choices, but I experienced issues like the toaster being out for days. A more consistent quality would be great, and charging for items like omelettes was a bit surprising since breakfast was included.
Facilities
5.0
While the hotel had a spa and an indoor pool, they charged for amenities that I expected would be included. Also, the indoor pool wasn't as warm as advertised, which was disappointing.
Bob
United Kingdom,
January
2025
5.2/10
While my stay had its highlights, like the hotel’s central location near historical attractions and the attentive staff, I was disappointed with the room quality and inconsistencies in services. The breakfast lacked variety, and the air conditioning was not effective. Overall, the experience was mixed, leading to a rating of 6.
Rooms
5.0
The room initially given to me was tiny and felt dated. After switching to a deluxe room, I noticed mould in the bathroom vent. The air conditioning also struggled, especially in the evenings.
Service
8.0
The staff, particularly the young lady in customer relations, were very attentive and helpful. She upgraded my room, which improved my experience significantly.
Location
9.0
I loved the location; it was just a short walk to the Vezneciler metro station and right near iconic sites like the Grand Bazaar and local shops.
Dining
6.0
Surprisingly, the breakfast was just average. For two days, there was no toast available, and I found some food quality lacking. However, the rooftop restaurant offered nice views.
Facilities
6.0
The hotel had decent facilities like a spa and a pool, but I was frustrated with the breakfast service and the need to purchase swim caps. Also, the breakfast buffet could use improvement.
Nathaniel
United Kingdom,
January
2025
5.6/10
Grand Hotel Gulsoy Old City has a prime location and friendly staff, which made my stay enjoyable. However, I was disappointed by hidden charges and lack of essential services like ironing facilities. The breakfast was consistently the same, which got a bit monotonous over time.
Rooms
6.0
My room was clean and had a beautiful view of the Shezadi Mosque, but I expected better amenities like an iron.
Service
7.0
The staff was generally welcoming and helpful, especially Faruk at the reception who organized a taxi for me. However, I did notice that not all receptionists were very attentive.
Location
9.0
The hotel is centrally located near major attractions and several dining options, which made exploring the city very convenient.
Dining
5.0
While the breakfast spread included some appealing options, the quality could have been better, and it became quite repetitive during my stay.
Facilities
5.0
The indoor swimming pool and sauna were a nice perk but were only available for free until 5 pm, which was quite limiting.
Taylor
United Kingdom,
January
2025
6.6/10
Overall, I found my stay quite average. The location is fantastic, making sightseeing super easy, especially with spots like the Grand Bazaar within walking distance. However, the maintenance could use some improvement, as I encountered a few issues like a stuffy room and noisy surroundings. Breakfast had good variety, but some items were extra, which was a bit disappointing.
Rooms
5.0
My room was typical for a 4-star hotel but had its downsides. the window didn’t open, and there was a constant stale smell. Additionally, my view wasn't great even though I expected more from the booking.
Service
6.0
The service experience was hit and miss. While the housekeeping was generally good, I felt the reception staff could be more attentive and friendly. It took quite a bit of persuasion to switch rooms after a downgrade.
Location
9.0
The prime location truly makes this hotel stand out. It’s in the heart of the old city, surrounded by shops, and is very close to major attractions. Getting around via metro was super convenient.
Dining
5.0
Breakfast was pretty basic. The selections were limited and mostly consisted of processed meats, though the bread and cheese were decent. I was surprised that fresh items like omelets came at an additional cost.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities didn't meet my expectations, especially the spa. It was quite underwhelming, with a shallow pool and a high charge for massages. The indoor pool required a bathing cap, adding to the inconvenience.
Henry
United Kingdom,
October
2024
6.4/10
My stay at Grand Hotel Gulsoy was a mixed bag. The location is fantastic for exploring Old City Istanbul, with major sights within walking distance. However, the noise from the street was quite bothersome, and the breakfast could use some improvement. I appreciated the cleanliness and the helpful staff, but I wouldn't call it a luxurious experience.
Rooms
6.0
The room was clean but quite standard for a 4-star hotel. It was also smaller than I expected, and the noise from the street was noticeable. The lack of an iron was surprising, and the pillows were on the harder side.
Service
7.0
The staff were generally nice and helpful, especially the cleaning crew. However, there were inconsistencies, like having trouble with the initial check-in process. I felt there was room for improvement in terms of warm and attentive service.
Location
8.0
The location is a major plus. It's within walking distance of the Grand Bazaar and iconic sights like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. There are convenient transport options nearby too, which made getting around easy.
Dining
5.0
Breakfast was included in the room rate, but I found it a bit basic. I was surprised to see extra charges for items like fresh orange juice and omelettes. The variety didn't impress me much during the week I was there.
Facilities
5.0
The hotel boasts some amenities, like the pool and spa, but I found them lacking. The pool requires a cap, which seems unnecessary, and the sauna wasn't very hot. Overall, the facilities didn't meet the expectations for a hotel of this rating.