10 best budget hotels and hostels in Istanbul

Istanbul hostels and hotels to suit every budget and taste, if you are looking to the ancient grandeur and modern simplicity. Terry Richardson Rough Guides expert picks the best

• As described in our guide to the city of Istanbul

If you plan to stay around the tourist drag of the old town, Akbiyik Caddesi, the Hanedan is the natural choice for the budget. Although it is owned and operated by four friends, has a family feel about it, with its interior design combining the modern with the mock-Ottoman blooms. The rooms are air conditioned and centrally heated, with polished wooden floors and chiffon draped canopy beds add a touch of interest. The view from the rooftop terrace at the nearby Aya Sofya and around the Sea of Marmara and the Princes 'Islands' are wonderful.
• Akbiyik Caddesi, Adliya Sokak 3, Cankurtaran, +90212516 4869, handedanhotel.com, doubles from € 40 B & Bs

Located on the dramatically steep, cobbled Galipdede Caddesi, just down from the monastery Mevlevihanesi Galata Whirling Dervishes, this was one of the first hostels to open this side of the Golden Horn. Light, bright and clean, functional home World focuses on providing poor with cheaper dorm beds in the city. How close to a door slamming quaint old mosque (note the call to prayer), drinking can be done only in the lounge downstairs, which looks out onto a road unofficially known as "the musician's Alley" for putting down all the points traditional and contemporary musical instruments.

The recent modernization of the Pera Palace London Büyük leaves as the last bastion of faded fin-de-siecle grandeur in this rapidly changing city. It 'was built in 1892 to accommodate travelers arriving on the Orient Express, and its most famous visitor was Ernest Hemingway, here to cover the Turkish War of Independence. Sitting in the lobby bar wonderfully well preserved – all intricately carved dark wood, etched glass and ornate chairs upholstered – not difficult to imagine themselves in a bygone era. The cheapest rooms are very simple, but it's not the point. The Büyük London is a paean to the golden age of travel.
• Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Beyoğlu, 53, 0670 +90212245, londrahotel.net, doubles from € 50 B & Bs

Hidden-away on a quiet paved road in two steps of the city, landmark Galata Tower, this boutique hostel was converted from a 19th century residence of the quartet of hip young Turks who run it. They will be happy to point you in the direction of the best bars, clubs, galleries and restaurants in Galata and Beyoğlu adjacent vibrating. There are three dorm rooms and a pair of doubles – a bit 'on the small side, but boldly decorated with frescoes and equipped with air conditioning. A buffet-style breakfast is available in the cellar, or take it to the welcoming front courtyard. Wi-Fi.
• Ali Hoca Arkasa 9, Kaldiran Caddesi, Galata, +90212292 7866, sumocathostel.com, dorms from € 14, double 60 €

A new breed of a generation of hostels for the most demanding, the Agora is its focus on cozy living room that opens onto a large terrace overlooking the sparkling blue Sea of Marmara. Here guests have breakfast, watch TV, make use of the hostel laptops / Wi-Fi or enjoy a sunset. It 'a bit' more expensive than most hostels in the area, but worth it for the dorm rooms spotless, one of which is for women only. There are 10 double rooms with private bathroom flat-screen TVs, DVD players and air conditioning. Located in a quiet street in the heart of the old city, the Agora is just a few minutes' walk from major tourist attractions.

Oldest hostels in the city are concentrated in and around Abkiyik Caddesi, the most tourist-oriented in Istanbul. Bucking the trend, the owner of Cheers, which ran for many years the most popular backpacker bars' in the above Akbiyik Caddesi, deliberately (and wisely) finds his new venture on a little-used road downhill from the majestic Hagia Sophia, which can be seen from the lively bar on the roof terrace. Housed in a quaint and 1920, this hostel clean, friendly and offers a choice of four dormitories, six, eight and 10 beds, plus double and family, triple and quadruple rooms. Wi-Fi.
Zeynep Sultan Camii Sokak • 21, Sultanahmet, +90212526 0200, cheershostel.com, dorms from € 15, doubles from € 60 B & Bs

The neighborhood of Galata Genoa former has become the most fashionable district of the city, and Rapunzel is ideally situated for guests to make the most of the nightclubs, galleries and boutiques. What makes this hostel apart from the crowd, however, is attention to detail – for example, six bunk beds in dorms all have their own curtains and reading lights, exposed brick and dates back to the original construction of 'building in 1872. There is a women-only dorm and bathroom doubles for those seeking more privacy. A trio of friendly young Turks to run the place with verve, and offer a hearty breakfast to boot.

A modern functional block in the lower part of one of the most turbulent Beyoğlu streets, noise from bars and restaurants on the street below, and clubs close, goes on until the wee hours – probably best to avoid weekends unless you are also trying to get out late. But it's so convenient as it is lively Beyoglu, with old-fashioned but well appointed with private bathroom, and offers more privacy than most of the hostels. The breakfast, served in a bright room basement, is passable, and the staff is friendly.
• Asmalimescit Sokak 22, Beyoğlu, +90212245 6212, devmanhotel.com, doubles from € 50

One of the first boutique hotels of Istanbul, the Kariye is showing some signs of wear, and then the rates extremely reasonable. The location is fabulous, in a quiet area right next to the Kariye Museum and its stunning Byzantine mosaics. The rooms are decorated in keeping with the 19 th century origins of the palace building, with a kilim-covered wood floors, high ceilings, lace curtains and screens, grates on the windows. And 'more than a mile from the historic Sultanahmet, but who cares with such an atmospheric location on the hill, and the restaurant attached to rustle up tasty Asitane Ottoman Turkish specialties.
• Kariye Camii Sokak 6, Edirnekapi, +90212534 8414, kariyeotel.com, doubles from € 65 B & Bs

• Dibekli Cami Sokak 19, Beyazit, +90212517 3239, hotelniles.com, doubles from € 50 B & Bs

Terry Richardson is the author of The Rough Guide to Istanbul and the Rough Guide to Turkey

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Submited at Friday, September 16th, 2011 at 7:00 am on Hotel by dave
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