Ottoman Imperial Hotel Istanbul travel guide

Location. The Ottoman Hotel Imperial is situated opposite the spectacular Hagia Sofia Museum in the centre of the old town, 100 metres from the Blue Mosque and 400 metres from the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 19 kilometres away and takes around 25 minutes to reach by car.

Hotel Features. The hotel has a floor butler to assist guests, and multilingual staff on the 24-hour front desk can arrange airport transport (surcharge), assist with room service requests and advise on tours around the local area. Drinks and cocktails are served in the Saltanat Bar and coffee and complimentary newspapers are available in the hotel lobby. Parking is available for those arriving by car.

Guests at the Ottoman Hotel Imperial can dine at Sadrazam, a buffet restaurant serving a variety of Turkish and international dishes. Padisah Restaurant offers innovative Turkish and Istanbul cuisine and is situated on the second floor of the garden area overlooking the medrese.

Guestrooms. The 55 air-conditioned guestrooms are located on three floors and all feature traditional Turkish decor with dark wood furniture and richly-coloured fabrics. Amenities include satellite television, direct-dial phones, high-speed Internet connections with wireless option, minibars, tea and coffee making facilities, safes, and bathrooms with bathrobes and slippers.

Expert Tip. Directly opposite the hotel is the Hagia Sophia Museum, originally built as the Cathedral of Constantinople and a spectacular example of Byzantine architecture. The building features arched colonnades and stuccoed walls and is crowned by a huge dome 56 metres high and 31 metres wide. Inside, the walls and arches are covered in marble and gold mosaics. The former mosque is open to the public from around 9.30 AM to 5 PM every day except Mondays.