We at Secretplaces pride ourselves in choosing only those accommodations that have something truly special to offer the discerning traveller. The Sari Konak in no exception to this rule, of course, and if you don't take our word for it see what others have to say:
"To open a hotel of this category in Sultanahmet where there are plenty of hotels, was something that needed courage... but the bet was won. There is everything to please you at Istanbul Hotel Sari Konak" Guide du Routard.
"This converted Ottoman mansion is one of the most attractive small hotels in Sultanahmet" Eyewitness.
" The dedicated service afforded by the Okan family and hotel staff creates a most welcoming atmosphere and their attention to even the smallest detail is evident throughout" Johansens.
There's plenty more from where that came from. One recurring theme in all reviews (including our own) is the friendliness of this family run hotel that makes it a home from home.
It is one of the things that make it special, for as Umit Okan, the Sari Konak owner himself says "I wanted a hotel that was better than all the ones I stayed in" Well, he's not far off the mark.
From the outside, you might not realise what it has to offer. OK, so it's located in a great historic area of the city - the Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul) - but you could easily pass the "Yellow Mansion", to give it its English name equivalent, without a second glance.
Inside, it's a different story. The Okan family have a keen eye for detail and have decorated this three story 23 room hotel using traditional fabrics, Turkish crafts and Ottoman antiques. There is even a spectacular roof terrace with great vistas of town and a marble fountain gently gurgling away. In short, it retains a delicious authenticity that is increasingly hard to find in tourist hotspots.
Given all this - the homely atmosphere, authentic nature of the place, the location in Old Istanbul only five minutes from the Blue Mosque and what we consider to be impressive prices, it is hardly surprising that another accolade the Sari Konak has earned is "One of the best choices" in the city.