Ethnica Hotel Old City
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Summary of reviewsEthnica Hotel Old City is highly favored for its exceptional location in Istanbul's historic Fatih district, allowing guests easy access to key cultural landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, as well as the Grand Bazaar. The area’s vibrant yet quiet environment, along with excellent public transport connectivity, further enhances its appeal for those keen to explore both historical sites and modern amenities on foot.
The hotel's breakfast offering, despite being traditional Turkish and served as a set plate, is generally well-received for its delicious taste and generous portions, though some guests desire more variety. Dinner at the in-house restaurant consistently garners praise for its authentic Turkish cuisine, reasonable prices and special discounts, making it a standout feature of the hotel experience.
Rooms at Ethnica Hotel Old City, while clean and cozy, tend to be on the smaller side and could use some updating, particularly the bathrooms. Despite these spatial limitations and occasional maintenance issues, the cleanliness and daily housekeeping are noted positively. The staff is frequently commended for their friendliness, professionalism and attentiveness, significantly contributing to a welcoming and comfortable stay.
The hotel's Wi-Fi service is largely praised for its speed and reliability, though there are occasional reports of inconsistent connectivity. Family travelers find the hotel accommodating, though the small room sizes and soundproofing issues can be challenging. The lively nightlife and plentiful dining options in the vicinity are perfect for those seeking evening entertainment, although street noise can be a concern for some.
In summary, Ethnica Hotel Old City offers a favorable blend of prime location, friendly service, delightful dining and clean accommodations, making it a solid choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Istanbul’s historic and cultural heartland.
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The hotel's breakfast offering, despite being traditional Turkish and served as a set plate, is generally well-received for its delicious taste and generous portions, though some guests desire more variety. Dinner at the in-house restaurant consistently garners praise for its authentic Turkish cuisine, reasonable prices and special discounts, making it a standout feature of the hotel experience.
Rooms at Ethnica Hotel Old City, while clean and cozy, tend to be on the smaller side and could use some updating, particularly the bathrooms. Despite these spatial limitations and occasional maintenance issues, the cleanliness and daily housekeeping are noted positively. The staff is frequently commended for their friendliness, professionalism and attentiveness, significantly contributing to a welcoming and comfortable stay.
The hotel's Wi-Fi service is largely praised for its speed and reliability, though there are occasional reports of inconsistent connectivity. Family travelers find the hotel accommodating, though the small room sizes and soundproofing issues can be challenging. The lively nightlife and plentiful dining options in the vicinity are perfect for those seeking evening entertainment, although street noise can be a concern for some.
In summary, Ethnica Hotel Old City offers a favorable blend of prime location, friendly service, delightful dining and clean accommodations, making it a solid choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Istanbul’s historic and cultural heartland.
Historic Hotel
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Business Hotel
About Ethnica Hotel Old City
License: 2022-34-1044
Guest Reviews
Location
Public transport connectivity is excellent with close proximity to tram stops, metro stations and ferry terminals making the hotel a convenient base for exploring the city. Many reviews emphasize the quiet yet vibrant neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, shops and amenities nearby. The area offers both the charm of historical landmarks and the convenience of modern necessities.
Guests appreciate that almost all significant tourist destinations are accessible on foot, allowing for a more immersive experience in the heartland of Istanbul. Whether it's a stroll through Gulhane Park or a venture to the local markets, Ethnica Hotel Old City positions travelers at the nexus of everything they wish to see and do.
Overall, the hotel's standout feature is its prime location, making it a top choice for those aiming to make the most of their visit to Istanbul's historic and cultural sites.
Breakfast
However, some guests note that the breakfast is the same every day, which can become monotonous over longer stays. The lack of variety and limited options, including a scarcity of fresh fruits and sweets, are common points of critique. While some find the fixed menu ample and satisfactory, others suggest that adding more diversity to the offerings would improve the experience.
Despite these concerns, several reviews commend the breakfast for its quality and the pleasant service, often mentioning the friendly and welcoming staff. Overall, while the breakfast at Ethnica Hotel Old City may not offer extensive variety, it is generally well-received for its taste and generous portions, making it a solid start to the day.
Dinner
Rooms
Many guests highlight that the rooms, while cozy, are notably small and can feel quite cramped, especially when accommodating multiple people. The bathrooms also seem to suffer from space issues and need significant renovations with reports of mold, unpleasant smells, broken fixtures and outdated furnishings being common.
Despite the small size, it is frequently mentioned that the rooms are clean and tidily maintained daily with fresh towels and replenished amenities. Some guests appreciated the decor, describing it as reminiscent of traditional Istanbul hotels, adding to a quaint and cozy atmosphere.
However, maintenance and noise are recurring concerns. The facilities are described as old and in need of updates with complaints about insufficient lighting, poor ventilation and sound insulation. Guests on lower floors reported disturbances due to street noise, while those on upper floors enjoyed quieter stays with beautiful city and sea views.
The hotel staff garners positive remarks for friendliness and service and the overall comfort of the rooms is acknowledged, though the furnishings could benefit from modernization. In summary, while the hotel offers clean and comfortable accommodations, potential visitors should be prepared for smaller room sizes and dated interiors.
Beds
Additional concerns were noted about the condition of bed linens with some guests encountering stains, holes and even bed bugs, impacting their overall sleeping experience. While some found the beds to be high quality and very comfortable, others expressed dissatisfaction with hard single beds and instances of outdated and dilapidated room conditions, including sagging curtains and a noisy mattress.
Despite these criticisms, it's clear that many guests found the beds sufficiently comfortable for a good night's rest. However, potential visitors should be mindful of the variability in experiences reported and may want to consider these aspects when booking a stay.
Cleanliness
However, the consistency of cleanliness falls short for some visitors. Complaints include dirty floors, moldy bathrooms and unpleasant odors emanating from the bathrooms, suggesting that deeper cleaning is often overlooked. Issues such as gray and stained towels, as well as damp smells in certain rooms, are mentioned repeatedly. Moreover, problems like cockroaches, broken fixtures and superficial cleaning further dampen the experience for some guests. There are also mentions of the hotel staff missing scheduled towel replacements and providing only partial cleaning solutions.
While the hotel has received accolades for its friendly housekeeping and attempts at daily cleaning, a notable number of reviews indicate that rooms and particularly bathrooms need better care and updates. The hotel’s common areas could also benefit from more attention to cleanliness. Despite its cozy and inviting ambiance, Ethnica Hotel Old City would significantly benefit from addressing these inconsistencies to fully meet guest expectations.
Staff
Employees were consistently described as polite, respectful and willing to go the extra mile to ensure guest satisfaction. Special recognition was given to the attentive waitresses in the hotel, who were found to be both friendly and proactive in addressing the needs of guests. The high level of engagement from the staff, their warm and smiling demeanor and their ability to manage guest inquiries and requests effectively were significant factors contributing to positive guest experiences.
Despite a few mentions of unprofessional behavior from certain staff members and some isolated incidents of unfriendliness, the majority of feedback underscores the hotel staff's dedication to providing excellent service. Overall, guests highly recommend Ethnica Hotel Old City for its welcoming, helpful and incredibly friendly staff, making it a noteworthy choice for travelers seeking attentive and professional hospitality.
Wi-Fi
However, experiences with the Wi-Fi were not uniformly positive. Some guests encountered slow and inconsistent service with Wi-Fi coverage being spotty and unreliable, particularly in individual rooms. A few found the internet exceptionally weak or non-existent at times. Despite these issues, the majority of reviews indicate that the Wi-Fi at Ethnica Hotel Old City meets the standard expectations of many travelers.
Additionally, the hotel offers free tea and coffee in the lobby/breakfast area, enhancing the overall guest experience. With its predominantly positive feedback on Wi-Fi and additional amenities, Ethnica Hotel Old City appeals to travelers needing strong internet access during their stay.
Family
However, the rooms are noted to be quite small, especially for families of four with soundproofing issues mentioned by several guests. While the presence of family is a recurring theme, these spatial limitations may pose challenges, particularly for those with older children. The hotel's area was also cited as not ideal for families with kids.
Overall, Ethnica Hotel Old City provides a welcoming environment with staff ready to accommodate, but it may not be the top choice for larger families due to room sizes and some environmental factors.
Nightlife
Business
Historic
The hotel's historical essence is underscored by its authentic architecture. While it is an old building, it maintains a clean and cozy atmosphere that guests find endearing. The calm and hygienic facility is set in a picturesque neighborhood that's as quiet as it is invaluable. The surrounding narrow streets add a sense of fairy-tale charm that complements the grandeur of Istanbul’s historical sites, offering excellent night-time views that are second to none.
Ethnica Hotel Old City provides great value for money, balancing affordability with an immersive cultural experience. From the historic peninsula near Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia to the proximity to all major tourist centers, this hotel serves as an ideal base for those aiming to explore Istanbul’s illustrious history.
No, Ethnica Hotel Old City doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Ethnica Hotel Old City.
No, Ethnica Hotel Old City doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Ethnica Hotel Old City.
No, Ethnica Hotel Old City doesn't have a gym.
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