Euro Diamond Hotel

As we were travelling by train we could only book 12 hour ahead and it was also China's holiday so most places were booked out. This wasn't in the centre and we had trouble finding it, even the taxi drivers didn't know where it was! We arrived by metro and saw a Nobel Hotel but it was the wrong one. We had got off at red line Aksaray instead of the blue tram line. Even so when we got there it took a while to find behind the main street. However, a great hotel, fabulous staff on reception, housekeeping and catering. Rooms are very clean, bathroom good with constant hot water, good shower, never plugs though! Decor a bit retro but hey! Good breakfast served till 10.30am with views of the Bosphorus. We were told by locals never to be out late but after a days sightseeing we were usually home before 9pm. We found the locals very friendly and helpful. There is a good shop across the road that sells basics including alcohol as so many hotels and restaurants don't. I bought the best bar of chocolate I'd ever tasted and cheese and olives and salted almonds that I'd never tried before. The tram station is a short work away(when you havn't got huge suitcases to lug!) and only 5 stops to Sultanahmet and Grand Bazaar. But beware early morning was scary at first as youve just got to sqeeze in as its so busy, It really quietened down about 11am. The staff couoldn't have been more helpful, gave you an umbrella when it rained. Complimentary, toiletries and slippers. The only critisism was when we returned every evening there was a terrible smell in reception, like sewerage I suppose. Aksaray is very busy but the windows cut out all the noise. It is in the heart of wholesale clothing shops so great to people watch. Once we left the window open and I was woken to the sound eminating from a minaret but this morning they had a choir and it was out of this world! The Mosque in Aksaray by the tram station is very beautiful by day or night, very intricatey carved and the prettiest I'd seen. I would recommend this hotel.