Translation for 140 languages by ALS
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowline.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail.
Explore. Dream. Discover
.
---Mark Twain

2/17/08

Big Apple Hostel Istanbul (Istanbul)



This is a very nice
place to stay. It is directly across the cobblestone street from Bahaus Guesthouse and I moved into it for variety's sake after three nights at the Bahaus.

Rates start at €10. The hostel is clean, well lighted, and all the staff speak English.
In the lobby is cable television and free Internet. The connection speed was decent. The hostel is not, however, centrally heated so if you visit during the winter try to get a room with a heater in it. I did. A couple of German tourists, though, were not so fortunate and angrily demanded a refund and left. I don't blame 'em.
Beats me why some hostels charge for blankets when they know it is as stable as wanting a clean mattress or working toilet. Would you stand for a hotel that charged extra for the pleasure of a working toilet? Thought so.

My room was like the one pictured above. I shared it with an Australian dude and Canadian couple. The bathroom and shower were located in the hall. (The shower had a timer on it so was very frustrating to work in a hot bath. Thank goodness several hamams are nearby!)

The upper floor houses the restaurant/bar where a complimentary Turkish breakfast is available each morning not to mention a view of the sea. Very calming way to break one's fast. Ahhh, the drunken nights we enjoyed in that space.




One serious note of criticism, however, must be given to the undignified way the staff bribe good reviews from guests. Backpackers aren't a lot to pass up a free night but the fact that the workers sit beside the guest as he types good things onto HostelWorld.com makes the act even more skunky. The hostel and customer service are nice enough that they don't have to resort to such tricks. Oh those Turks!



Akbiyik Caddesi Bayramfirin Sok no: 12, Sultanahmet

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