Istanbul is chaotic. There is no other way to put it. If you’ve ever stepped out of the Sultanahmet tram station at 5:00 PM, you know exactly what I’m talking about—the smell of roasted chestnuts fighting with exhaust fumes, the calls of rug sellers, and a million people all trying to get somewhere at once. In the middle of this beautiful, exhausting mess sits the Eurostars Hotel Old City.
It’s a four-star spot. Honestly, though, the "star" system in Istanbul is a bit of a wild west.
I’ve spent years navigating the hospitality landscape of the Eminönü and Sirkeci districts. Most people booking the Eurostars Hotel Old City do so because they want to be within walking distance of the Hagia Sophia without paying the eye-watering prices of the luxury boutiques closer to the Sultanahmet square. It’s a smart move, but there are things about this specific street—Hoca Paşa—and the hotel’s layout that usually surprise travelers when they check in.
Location is everything, but it’s also loud
The Eurostars Hotel Old City is tucked into the Sirkeci neighborhood. This isn’t the quiet, manicured version of Istanbul you see in high-end travel magazines. It’s real. You’re steps away from the Marmaray train station and the T1 tram line. This is a massive logistical win. If you want to head over to the Galata Bridge for a fish sandwich or catch a ferry to the Asian side from Eminönü, you’re looking at a five-minute walk. Max.
But here is the catch.
Sirkeci is a hub of commerce. The streets are narrow. Delivery vans compete with pedestrians starting at 7:00 AM. While the Eurostars has decent soundproofing, you’re in the heart of the action. If you’re the kind of person who needs absolute silence to sleep, you might find the hum of the city a bit much. On the flip side, you have some of the best food in the city right at your doorstep. You are literally around the corner from Hafiz Mustafa 1864. If you haven't had their pistachio baklava yet, you haven't lived.
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The Room Situation: Modernity vs. Space
The design here is surprisingly sleek for the Old City. A lot of hotels in this area lean heavily into "Ottoman Chic"—think heavy velvet curtains, gold leaf everywhere, and carpets that look like they’ve seen several centuries of history. Eurostars goes the other way. It’s minimalist. Hardwood floors. Neutral tones. Clean lines.
It feels more like a business hotel in Madrid than a traditional Turkish guesthouse.
Space is a premium in Istanbul. Don't expect a sprawling suite unless you're paying for the top-tier rooms. The standard rooms are compact. They’re efficient, though. You get a minibar, a safe that actually fits a laptop, and a bathroom that doesn’t feel like a closet. One thing that genuinely stands out is the shower pressure. In these old buildings, water pressure is often a suggestion rather than a rule, but Eurostars seems to have figured it out.
Why the Wellness Center is the Secret Weapon
Most people book this place for the bed and the breakfast, but they sleep on the spa. It’s a Eurostars staple. They have a Turkish bath (hammam), a sauna, and a gym. Now, is the gym going to help you train for the Olympics? No. It’s small. But the hammam is legit.
After walking 20,000 steps on the cobblestones of the Grand Bazaar, your calves will be screaming. Having a sauna in the basement is a game-changer. It’s usually quiet because everyone else is out fighting the crowds at the Blue Mosque.
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- The sauna is free for guests (usually).
- Massages cost extra, but the rates are competitive compared to the tourist traps on the main strip.
- The gym has the basics: a treadmill, some weights, enough to keep the routine going.
Breakfast and the "Buffet Reality Check"
Let’s talk about the food. Turkish breakfast is legendary. You expect a spread of olives, cheeses, honey, "menemen" (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers), and endless tea. Eurostars delivers a solid continental-style buffet with Turkish influences. It’s good. Is it the best breakfast in Istanbul? Probably not. You’ll find better "serpme" breakfasts at local cafes in the side streets of Cağaloğlu.
However, for a traveler trying to hit the Hagia Sophia by 9:00 AM to beat the three-hour queue, the convenience of a 7:30 AM hotel breakfast is unbeatable.
Navigating the Local Scams and Logistics
Staying at the Eurostars Hotel Old City puts you in a high-traffic tourist zone. This means you need to be sharp. Taxis in Sirkeci are notorious. If you ask the hotel to call you a yellow cab, they will, but I’d honestly recommend using the Bitaksi app or just walking to the tram. The T1 tram is your lifeline. It connects you to almost everything you want to see.
One thing people get wrong: they think they have to eat at the hotels. Don't. Walk two blocks away from the main tourist drag. Look for the "Esnaf Lokantası"—tradesmen restaurants. You’ll get a plate of lamb stew and pilaf for a fraction of the price of the hotel menu, and it’ll taste like someone’s grandmother made it.
The Eurostars Experience vs. The Competition
How does it stack up against the nearby Miss Istanbul or the Neorion? The Neorion is famous for its hospitality and free appetizers in the afternoon, but it’s often booked out months in advance. The Eurostars Hotel Old City is more of a reliable, high-standard chain experience. You know what you’re getting. The staff speaks excellent English, the Wi-Fi actually works (which isn't always a given in the Old City), and the check-in process is professional.
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It lacks that "family-run" boutique feel, but it replaces it with efficiency. Sometimes, after a long flight, you don't want a long story about the history of the building; you just want your key card and a functional elevator.
Real Talk: The Small Annoyances
Nothing is perfect. The elevators at Eurostars are notoriously slow. If you’re on the fourth floor and in a rush, you might end up taking the stairs. Also, the street is pedestrian-heavy. If you arrive by private transfer, the driver might have to drop you a few dozen yards from the door because the traffic is so congested. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you have heavy luggage.
How to Get the Best Out of Your Stay
If you decide to book here, ask for a room on a higher floor. The street noise disappears significantly once you get above the second level. Also, check the pillow menu. It sounds fancy, but Eurostars actually offers different types of pillows. If the standard one is too firm, just call down to reception.
Most travelers don't realize how close they are to the Gülhane Park. It’s right behind the hotel area. If the concrete jungle of Sirkeci gets to be too much, go there. It’s the former outer garden of the Topkapi Palace. It’s massive, green, and quiet. It's the perfect place to reset your brain before diving back into the madness.
Actionable Steps for Your Istanbul Trip
Booking a hotel is only half the battle. To really make the Eurostars Hotel Old City work for you, follow this plan:
- Download the Istanbulkart app. You can buy a physical card at the Sirkeci station for a few liras and top it up. This works for trams, ferries, and even some public toilets. It is the single most important tool for any Istanbul visitor.
- Map out your morning. If you are staying at Eurostars, you are a 12-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia. Be there by 8:15 AM. The lines in 2026 are longer than ever due to new visitor regulations, and being local gives you a massive head start.
- Use the Marmaray for the Airport. While many people take expensive shuttles, the Marmaray train connects at Yenikapı to the metro lines that can get you toward the airports much cheaper, though with luggage, a pre-booked shuttle like Welcome Pickups is often worth the $35-45 for the peace of mind.
- Explore Hocapaşa Sokak. This is the street near the hotel. It’s famous for its "pide" (Turkish pizza) shops. Specifically, look for Hocapaşa Pidecisi. It’s been there since the 60s. Get the one with "kuşbaşı" (small chunks of meat).
- Validate your booking. Always email the hotel 48 hours before arrival to confirm your room type. In high season, overbooking happens in Istanbul. A quick "looking forward to seeing you" email ensures you stay on their radar.
Staying at the Eurostars Hotel Old City isn't about luxury—it's about smart positioning. You’re paying for the ability to walk to the world's most famous landmarks while having a clean, modern base to retreat to when the city becomes a bit too much. It's a solid, dependable choice in a city that is anything but predictable.