Old City Esma Hostel Reviews

2 buildings: 1close and the other one impossible to locate...so DONT GO THERE! We pay 10% deposit and the first night for nothing, after a 14h flight...

Hostel closed when we arrived. Didn't inform us neither before nor on site.

Well, my feelings about this hostel are very mixed... The best about the hostel is it's location, no doubt about that. And the breakfast in a cafe nearby was nice. But the actual building was closed when we arrived and it took us a lot of time and nerves to get hold of the manager. He accommodated us in a different building across the street. The room was ok, but obviously only a provisional solution - cracked tiles in the bathroom, holes in the wall, ... not what we expected, but we paid less.

The Hostel itself was closed. So we had to stay in a building across the street. We got a room with a big roof terrace which had a wonderful view onto hagia sofia and bosporus. All in all the hostel was a bit chaotic but ok.

Not only was this hostel under construction, which I only found out after having made the reservation, I still haven't received my initial deposit, even having made a reservation at another hostel. All my communications with this hostel have been sketchy and on unofficial e-mails. Do not reserve here!

We booked our rooms a month back, and a week before we left we found out there was some construction going on which would prevent us from staying there. We were contacted by an individual who recommended another hostel. After cheating taxi drivers and getting lost for hours, finally we arrived at that other hostel, we found out that individual had not sorted out our booking or informed the hostel manager that we were coming and we had to pay a premium price for a 4-bedroom for only 2 people.

I didnt stay at the hotel.. Booking was canceled because the hotel was closed by the local aurhority.. The people at Esma hotel failed to find me an alternative place of where to stay .. I had the worst day in my life trying to find a place to stay for the night until late at night when i managed to find a hotel which was very expensive. I want my money back that you debited from my account.

The police locked the hostel. The guy of the hostel host us in another buildings, with water pipeline broken outside the walls and smell of dead rats everywhere. It was the worst "hostel" I've ever been. ps. Instanbul was amazing.

Aircon in my room was great! Would be great if there's aircon in all other rooms too (my other friends' rooms got a little warm at night).

The rooms were smelly

The hostel looks nice, I don't recommend the rooms with private toilet as they are actually not in the hostel, they are across the road in a completely separate building and the rooms on the 3rd and 4th floor smells very bad, we were a big group and people upstairs were very disappointed, however, the staff was very friendly and willing to help. Breakfast was ok and location was great!

Location is just great! Friendliest staff running at this hostel.The walls are really funky.Couldn't be better definately recommended!!!

Great place ! Great people ! Great atmosphere ! My trip to Istanbul would not have been half as cool had I not stayed at Old City Esma. There's a great dynamic between the hostel staff and guests, and it's overall a very social atmosphere. The rooftop bar adds a lot to the place. Thank you everyone there for a great experience.

I visited you guys with a large group of college students from Ireland, and I have to say it was the best experience ever! The hostel staff were all fantastic, very nice, and very entertaining! Would totally recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul!

By far the best hostel I have stayed in so far - all the staff are so friendly and ready to help you with anything (organising trips, evenings out, airport transfer!). The hostel itself is in a great location - 2 minutes from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the museum! And the tram goes from right outside too! The rooftop bar is great for having a beer in the evening and you get your breakfast there in the morning too! You won't find a better hostel in Istanbul!! Trust me! :)

Excellent location, staff are nice & helpful

Amazing hostel!!! I enjoyed 1 week here,, The atmosphere and que staff were realy good!!. Everythings was 0k!

Great location to and from airport and the old city. One of the guys is a wicked bloke helps with everything. The other is a bit moody but harmless. Def recommend.

Nice hostel, the location is great. Breakfast is excellent. but somtimes the wifi didn't work very well and so does the hot shower.

-> awesome place with brilliant staff at the heart of Istanbul - a must stay!