ISTANBUL ON THE CHEAP-ANTIQUE HOSTEL
Mark Evans, Planet Eye's director of community, has thrown us writers a challenge: To collect as much info on inexpensive lodgings, bites and tours available in our respective cities.
Istanbul offers tons of ways to save on transportation, hotels and eats to help you save money without making you feel like you're counting every penny.
Although I've mentioned some of the best places to stay in Sultanahmet in previous posts, I've bartely skimmed the real deals on the historic peninsula. So let's start with hotel bargains:
How to book and what to expect from your hôtelier
The rules of engagement in Turkey's largest metropolis are as follow: hotel rooms typically include breakfast; if you book way early you'll find way better deals; for an exhaustive listing of deals on accommodations in the city, check out www.istanbulhotelreservations.com; and, plan to travel between the months of November through March to avoid high season rates.
Antique Hostel & Guesthouse
The best for the buck is Antique Hostel & Guesthouse. Known for its lavish complimentary breakfasts, Antique has redefined the hostel experience to include satellite TVs, Wi-Fi access, and A/C in all its sparkling clean dormitory-style rooms, singles and doubles. Preferred by young adults, it does get loud particularly in the early evenings. But at just over $100, the rates for the triples that overlook the Sea of Marmara cannot be beat.
And for the best tip of all, if you book three consecutive nights with Antique you'll get free transfers. All you have to do is ask for the service. It'll save you at the very least $40 on taxi fare to and from the airport.
ESSENTIALS
ADDRESS: Kutlugun Sokak 51, Sultanahmet
PHONE: +90.212.638.1637
EMAIL: info@antiquehostel.com
RATES: from $19 for dormitory-style accommodations
STRICTLY SPEAKING
Inexpensivce = uçuz (Pron. oujouz)