BIG Urban Stay — Hotel in Beyoğlu

We stayed here for 3 nights in superior room with sea view. Overall, found it a decent place; not great but not bad as well.|||| Pros||- Location is really good. Couple of minutes walk to Istiklal street and Metro and Tunel stations.||- Easy and inexpensive travel to airport using Metro. Just walk for 2 min to Metro Station which has elevator and escalators. Make one change at Yenikapi station and take another metro with Ataturk Airport as last station. Signs and directions very well marked at Yenikapi station for metro to airport. ||- Staff was very helpful, polite and courteous.||- They also gave us small custom map to explain neighbourhood. ||- Gave us extra room on 1st night when our AC in our room was not working properly.||- Gave us complimentary taxi pick up from airport. Even though our cost at time of booking did not include it, hotel manager Mr Mert provided it when I requested him over email app 2 weeks before reaching there.||- WiFi was good.||- Our room had kitchenette with hot plate,utensils dishwasher and refrigerator. It worked well for us. Only thing missing was microwave.||- View of Golden Horn from room is good, but it's not a panoramic view because of Halic Hotel building which blocks view to left. View from terrace was better, though still obstructed by Halic hotel.|||| Cons||- Feels little claustrophobic. Small reception, narrow place and stairs. ||- Coupled with fact that it's in small lane off main road, overall 1st impression may set you back. ||- Rooms are small. Our family room was OK and double rooms were too small.||- Breakfast was average. Had some berries, salad items, egg and hot rolls cooked hot in addition to cakes, basic cereals, juices, milk, tea/coffee. And, it was same breakfast every day, so became boring.||||Some tips:||- Buy water at 'SOK' (small super market like shop) just across the street after climbing stairs. I found prices much better than anywhere else.||- For visiting Sultanahment square or any other place in Old Istanbul reached by Tram, you might find it better to walk for 5-7 minutes to Karakoy tram station instead of taking Tunel. This is because of odd pricing of Istanbul local transport where they charge for...

Pros: Staff is good and truly makes you welcome. Free turkish breakfast was excellent and can be eaten family style in the basement or brought up (carefully on spiral marble stairs) to the balcony. Excellent english and free water bottles. Near a lot of food and Istikal Cadessi and Galata Tower. There is a subway very close by (but we never could figure out how to use that particular exit!) Also the line closeby is not the one to the main areas so better to stay in Kadikoy next time. Excellent value for cost though.||||Cons: Initially hard to find (even when you ask locals). Some people may be scared at the way the street looks (graffiti, and seems empty), but it is fine. It is not loud which is nice. Although our room was on the second floor and non-smoking, smoke drafted in from below. Try to get a room facing the river instead of the alley. Also, the rooms are very small. The seaview rooms are actually smaller than the alley rooms. Is on a hilly area near some slippery stairs, so beware for those who have walking issues. Tunel helps with the walking up/down hill. Note that the Tunel might close before you return from an event, which makes travelling back to the hell more of an effort at night.||||Everyone should visit Istanbul in their...

I loved loved loved my 3 weeks stay at Big Urban Stay. I was in istanbul alone for 3 weeks neural therapy. I felt like at home during my stay. Very kind and friendly staff. My room was a nice large room with all the amenities like fridge, stove, dishwasher etc. The bed was very comfortable as I have a back problem this was definitely a big plus for me. My room was cleaned everyday. The hotel smells fresh and everything is very clean. The breakfast was as I like; a typical Turkish breakfast. For cereals amateur do not worry they also have cereals. The hotel location is a prime location, perfectly located few steps away from Sishane metro and Tünel. Walking distance to Taksim square, Galata Tower and Karaköy. Many restaurants and bars in the area. Very safe area. I was often walking alone going back to the hotel at 3 AM and the streets were full of people, I never felt unsafe. I really enjoyed my stay and appreciated everything single moment I spent there.||The terrace of the hotel has a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the Golden Horn where you can take your breakfast or simply enjoy your cup of tea or coffee at any time of the day. I am already planning to go back with my...