Very comfortable and nicely appointed, if somewhat small, room. (It should be noted that we knowingly booked one of the smaller basement floor rooms, which was the only thing available for our dates. So we were expecting the room we got. No complaints there.) The bed was great. The location is nearly unbeatable: less than a five-minute walk to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, etc. The staff were amazingly helpful and friendly. And the breakfasts were embarrassingly abundant, with a beautiful terrace view of the Sea of Marmara to boot! Great value for the money. I would definitely recommend to anyone coming to Istanbul.

There was nothing I disliked.

The location is perfect for whoever wishes to stay close to most major attractions in Istanbul. The staff is always willing to help you and the breakfast is a unique experience both for the wide selection of healthy and delicious food and for the amazing view of the Bosphorus.

We understand how the building has been adapted to become a guesthouse but the stairs and the fact that there is no elevator make it slightly more challenging for elderly people. We have been there in particularly hot days and nights and the air conditioning was not enough to keep the heat away.

Great value, friendly staff, comfy room. Appreciated a plate of cold meat, cheese, cake left in the room the night before we had a very early day trip start on our first morning.

Breakfast (whilst abundant choice) is a cold unusual offering. The only ‘hot’ options are cooked before the 8am start and just left out til 10am finish and not cooked fresh for people or replenished. The Cook just prepares everything beforehand and that’s it! She stays there just to wash up the plates. The one ‘hot’ terrine with scrambled eggs and a type of sausage is unfortunately only ‘Luke warm’ at best and therefore unappetising. When I tried to heat the ‘eggy’ toast in the toaster I was told I couldn’t. So it was eat tepid or leave it!

The breakfast is rich and has many varieties. Also, the breakfast terrace has a beautiful Bosphorus view. The location of the hotel is great. You can walk in a minute to all the restaurants and bars on the next street and all the historic places to see within walking distance, the taxi station is also very close if you need it.

The only negative or difficult part of the hotel is the entrance because it is located at the dead end of the street so the taxis can not approach the gate and you need to carry your luggage from the taxi to the entrance of the hotel.

The Marmara Guesthouse was perfect for our family group. The location is wonderful, breakfast is amazing, the view from the terrace is outstanding and above all, the staff is very welcoming and helpful. The rooms were beautifully decorated and charming. We loved that the top terrace area was available to us at any time: a glass of wine and bananagrams at sunset! The hotel arranged transfers and taxis and there is someone at reception around the clock, so if you have an early taxi, all is arranged and monitored by the hotel. The Istanbul transit system was explained and we were loaned an Istanbul card for the duration of our trip. We felt that this hotel represented high value for what we received and we would return again for sure if we come back to Istanbul!

Everything was so great that I don't have any suggestions at all.

I love this small, family-driven hotel in the heart of Istanbul's old city, located on a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle of the many tourists and restaurants in the area. It is close to many top sights like Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. It is also close to the Sultanahmet and Gulhane tram stations, and a taxi stand is right around the corner. The hotel staff is kind and gladly offers help if needed. The rooms may not be that big, but they are clean. I loved my room facing the street and the fact that I could leave the window open all day and night, listening to the sounds of the city. I never used the A/C. The breakfast buffet has it all and much more. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace facing the sea and the Asian part of Istanbul (e.g. Kadiköy). What a view! Drinking coffee and watching the many ships passing by felt almost zen-like. If you get up early, you can also watch the sunrise from this terrace. If I ever return to Istanbul, I will stay at the Marmara Guesthouse again, as it gives you value for money and makes you feel at home.

Nothing! I liked it all and enjoyed my stay at the Marmara Guesthouse.

This is an excellent little guesthouse that’s five minutes from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The staff are so friendly and helpful but never overbearing. The room was very clean and comfortable with beautiful textiles and colours. There is tea and coffee available on the terrace all the time which is very nice. The breakfast was huge and delicious with lots of handmade cookies and jams and lots of delicious Turkish tea- it’s obviously made with care. The terrace has views to the Marmara and it’s a great way to start the day. Our room had a view of the Marmara as well. We only spent one night but I’d definitely spend more here, it would make a great base for exploring Istanbul.

Nothing, it was all great. I’d note though that if you have mobility issues this properly has no elevator and lots of stairs do not ideal if you have very large heavy bags that you can’t carry or if you have issues with stairs.

What truly stood out about Marmara Guesthouse was its unbeatable location. Just a five-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, the property practically put these iconic landmarks at your doorstep, ensuring they became a daily visual treat for guests staying longer. But the delights didn't stop there. Breakfast, served on the rooftop, offered breathtaking views of Istanbul and the sea, making each morning a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The staff's warmth and friendliness further enhanced the experience. Ahmet and Kenan at the reception were particularly helpful, while Fatima the cleaning lady ensured our rooms were impeccably clean every day. Overall, our stay at Marmara Guesthouse was nothing short of fantastic. It's hard to find fault with this charming property, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to everyone. In fact, it will be our top choice when we return to Istanbul!

While we did encounter an issue with the internet during our stay, the overall experience was fantastic, and we have no complaints whatsoever.

The location of the place was great. A lot of shops and restaurants in the area. It is a very walkable area that I wish I had more time to explore. The hotel itself is quaint with a lot of stairs. I loved the view of the water especially at the terrace level. The staff were excellent from the friendly person at checkin to the friendly person at breakfast. And breakfast, let’s just say that it was a cornucopia of great options that included many local items and veggies! I loved my room and it was very neat and the beds were comfortable.

There is nothing that I didn’t like about the hotel itself. The only minor thing was that the people outside in the street were loud at odd times in the morning but this is minor and not at all the fault of the hotel.

This is my second time staying at the Marmara Guesthouse and I hope to return. I have also recommended it to friends who have also stayed there. It is in the most perfect location for visiting the main sites of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, the Citadel, Topkapi Palace, which are all within walking distance. However, due to its location in a secluded street it is really quiet and peaceful. Breakfast is served on the terrace, which offers the most amazing views of the Bhosphurus - one morning my friends and I were lucky enough to watch a school of dolphins playing in the waters! The rooms are great, clean and comfortable. The staff are exceptional - so friendly and helpful. They recommended and helped book some great tours. I cannot recommend the Maramra enough.

Nothing the whole stay was excellent