This was the second time we stayed at Ajwa hotel and it exceeded our expectations even more. We had good communication with the hotel prior to our stay. On arrival, we were welcomed by staff with Ajwa dates and sherbet with a brief background on the hotel. We were in awe with the intricate design of the hotel and the thought behind every piece of furniture and art. The staff were accommodating and extremely helpful. They carried out any requests swiftly which made us feel comfortable and stress-free throughout our stay. Each individual showed genuine compassion and kindness. It felt like home away from home. The people of Ajwa were the highlight of the trip. This created a great atmosphere and made our stay super relaxing and fun. The hotel is immaculate and after housekeeping it felt like we were returning to a new room. The location is great as it’s a walking distance from the main attractions in Sultanahmet but they also have a shuttle bus service if required. We enjoyed the restaurant and the view from there is spectacular. We were really happy that the opulent spa accommodated female-only timings. We have stayed at a few hotels in Istanbul but Ajwa by far was the best experience and we will definitely be returning again.

the hotel was like a fairy tale palace everywhere is elegant clean and beautiful. there is nothing wrong with it. the service was excellent and the staff friendly beyond belief.

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property is amazing, very nice interior, friendly staff very good breakfast

location is not central, please be careful there is a 15 mins walk to the central area and the walk is full of small alleys that are very unsafe specially at night. it’s all an uphill walk very difficult specially if you are carrying something the hotel provides a Shuttle to the central area but until 5:30 pm only which is very very early (sunset is at 8:30)

Ajwa is a really good boutique hotel located in Fatih area. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. - Staff were all professional and helpful. The person that always stood out was Maria (Mariam) concierge, she really went the extra mile to help, her advise was always spot on and her energy was amazing. - Location is good in Fatih area, it is still a 10+ minutes walking to the mosques/museums. The downside is that it is up in small streets making in difficult for taxis thus waiting for a car or coming to the hotel was always a challenge. - Restaurant was really good for breakfast although it is overpriced at 30 euros a person. We tried the lunch and it was ok, you can certainly having better meals around the city. The staff at the restaurant were great. - The room was good, good finishes, good amenities and good AC. We had two rooms, one was good and spacious and the other was unfortunately too small with limited storage. Internet was really good. The bed can certainly be better, the base board makes noises every time you change your sleep position. Overall, it was a very good stay, the hotel is good quality. The price is overpriced for the facilities and especially compared to other premium 5 star hotels across the city. I would recommend the hotel for a round a 2 night stay, not more.

- Bed can be improved - Restaurant over lunch/dinner could be better - location challenging for transportation - the shuttle service could have been better (mostly not available or not offered).

I found the hotel to be very beautiful. the reception staff was lovely. the food was throughly enjoyable and well priced. the location was close to all the major attractions with a sea view to match. everything was luxurious from the date tasting on arrival to our last apple tea in the lobby.

of course it was stated that women and men use the spa separately but I still missed my husband when either of us were at the spa (but this is my own fault)! I did wish that a couple of staff members were friendlier but this is by far a minority. my dislikes are quite subjective and not a reflection of the hotel as a whole

We had an amazing stay in this hotel. We came for a week during Easter and were met by extremely friendly staff and a lovely room. We chose this hotel largely because of the location, as it is walking distance from the Ayasofya and all of the major attractions, a nice bonus was that the hotel provided free shuttles to those attractions, which we used a lot. The facilities were great and our 5 year old daughter loved using spa every day. The breakfast was amazing with Ibrahim and Cuneit making us feel very welcomed. Mira the concierge gave us some good recommendations for the local restaurants and Kubra has done a lot to make us feel very welcomed at the property. We loved the decor at the hotel and the restaurant had some great dishes and most breathtaking views. The gift shop in the hotel is run by lovely Emre and has some great items, although is somewhat pricey.

The gym is a bit small and basic and also the spa has a single sex use - 8 to 3 for women and 3 to 10 for man, which was a bit of shame, as we wanted to use it altogether as a family.

When a problem arose, the concierge staff went above and beyond to remedy the situation and to make us feel like valued guests. They could not have been nicer.

The attitude of the restaurant manager needs to be addressed. We had paid for four breakfasts on two days and could only use it for one day due to our travel arrangements. When we questioned why we were being charged for sparkling water at breakfast, the restaurant manager was both dismissive and insulting. While the concierge team addressed our complaints, this should not happen at a hotel that aspires to deliver a five star experience.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at this remarkable hotel, and I can’t praise it enough. From the moment I arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make my stay exceptional. Their genuine hospitality and attentiveness made me feel like a VIP. The culinary experience at the hotel was a true delight. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. Each meal felt like a culinary adventure, and I found myself eagerly anticipating every dining experience. The service throughout my stay was impeccable. The staff members were always eager to assist and ensure my comfort. Special mention goes to Hasan Ozbek and Husein (F&B) who stood out with their exceptional service and willingness to go the extra mile to meet my needs. The facilities at the hotel were top-notch, offering a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The rooms were spacious and elegantly designed, providing a peaceful retreat after a day of exploration. In summary, my stay at this hotel was nothing short of fabulous. The combination of outstanding staff, amazing food, impeccable service, and excellent facilities left me with unforgettable memories. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a truly exceptional experience.

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- Amazing interior style of the hotel, beautiful from external architecture to room design in with traditional Turkish details everywhere - Very kind and helpful personnel, with a best-in-class concierge service (having booked Turk Fatih Tutak 2* restaurant in 2 days before the dinner, arranged transfer service and a local Russian-speaking guide for a half-day long walking tour across the historical city center), concierge even remembered our names even though it only was a 1-night stay - Great breakfast with a view over Bosphorus

- Nothing major, just the windows of the room faced the opposite roof with a restaurant, so had to close the curtains, but that is what makes Istanbul so special

Ajwa is a Boutique hotel right in the middle of everything. The rooms are superbly done and furnished exquisitely as shown in the pics. The food and beverage selection is not much but nice assorted menu. The breakfast menu is not exhaustive and have a mix of turkish/continental keeping it very neutral and well presented always. The chef prepared saffron rice and potato fritters when we asked Miss Kubra for a variation on breakfast menu for the 3rd day. The attempt won our appreciation. The food served was always fresh and the fruits/sweets are one of the best we had in Istanbul. Our room housekeeper Mis Nehmet was always attentive and taking care of our rooms well. However what Makes Ajwa special is the CONCIERGE TEAM headed by Mr. Vulcan. They take care of you above and beyond. Since i was travelling with my aged parents and whole family consisting 8 members, we had to plan very carefully the 5 days itinerary to ensure that we do not tire my parents during the daily trips. Rest assured that Mr. Vulcan and his team took care of it like a mission. The hotel takes care of dropping guests to all Sultanahmet tourist attractions using hotel transport, however Vulcan and his team took care of our pickup as well so that my parents do not have to tire out while waiting for taxis. We couldn't thank him and his team enough for this gesture. One particular day when the Sultanahmet traffic was at its peak and the hotel cars were unavailable, Mr.Vulcan arranged 2 taxis and rides in one himself to ensure that we are picked promptly from Topkapi palace....we knew we had made the right choice by booking in Ajwa.

The rooms are small but pricey, the swimming pool attendant charges for headcap if you dont have one, the wifi reception inside rooms are unreliable and keeps getting disconnected. The room TV channels are very limited and majority are turkish, the breakfast menu is almost same everyday , strongly suggest a 4 day breakfast menu rotation at least on the main course items.