Cordial House Hotel (Istanbul)

With a name as grand you might not think to consider it a budge option were it not for the fact that it's listed among select hostels. Make no mistake: Cordial House is a hostel, not a pension or hotel---and quite affordable as long as one does not rent the computers or order from the bar.

For all of its central location the hotel is not easy to find. Although just steps from the tram stop (Çemberlitas) it is not clear in which direction one should advance those steps. It took me some twenty minutes of find it and that was after stopping a few times to ask locals for help...and even then I just happened upon the hotel: I looked up in dismay and there was the round blue sign.

So look for the blue sign!

Some of the roommates related similar frustration in locating the place. It would be helpful if Cordial House posted a sign off the tram stop pointing towards its location.

Staying during the winter months, the rooms at night (and early morning) made for shivering bones. Thankfully the beds come with blankets; and the beds, clean linen. I bought an 8 bed dorm and aside from some of the other travellers' body odors it was all right. The bathroom was right up the hall and hot water readily dispensed.

Socializing in the hostel was dim.

Hardly any guests frequented the commons area. Instead, it was more of a hang-out for the staff who, being Turkish, were loud and smoky. (In fact, the only time fags were prohibited was for about three hours during breakfast time.) It was the staff who mostly used the ping-pong table, billiards and television. Since they all had laptops, however, the expensive computer terminals (2 liras) were free whilst they played interactive war games.

Front Desk was excellent. Was able to check-in as a walk-in. This alone is a big plus since I believe in the succubus evil of credit cards. From what I gathered beds went for about 9 to 11 euros. Payment could also be made in Turkish liras...or a combination of both!

For extra fees one could have a breakfast (3 liras), ping-pong or billiards (5 liras), computer time (2 liras). Wi-fi was free.

Divanyolu Caddesi Peykane Sokak No: 29
+90 212.518.0576
bookings@cordialhouse.com