Demiray Hotel Old City

Demiray Hotel Old City Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to Demiray Hotel Old City on that narrow cobblestone street in Fatih, I honestly wasn’t expecting much from the outside — but stepping through those doors completely changed my perspective. This five-star boutique property sits right in the heart of historic Istanbul, and you can immediately feel the weight of centuries around you. The lobby strikes this perfect balance between Ottoman elegance and modern sophistication, with rich marble floors and carefully curated Turkish art that doesn’t feel overdone or touristy.

The Heart of Old Istanbul

You know what really impressed me about this location? You’re literally a five-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, but tucked away on Hocahanı Street where you actually escape the tourist crowds. I mean, couples consistently rate this spot 8.9 out of 10, and after spending time here, I totally get why. The neighborhood has this authentic energy — you’ll hear the call to prayer echoing off ancient walls, smell fresh simit from street vendors, and watch locals going about their daily routines. It’s that rare spot where you feel like you’re experiencing the real Istanbul, not just visiting it.

The Room Experience

My room was honestly a pleasant surprise, especially considering how compact some historic district hotels can be. The space felt thoughtfully designed with high ceilings, traditional Turkish textiles, and a marble bathroom that actually had decent water pressure (trust me, that’s not always a given in this part of the city). What I loved most was the attention to detail — handwoven carpets, brass fixtures that felt authentic rather than decorative, and blackout curtains that really work when you need to recover from jet lag or a late night exploring the city.

Morning Rituals

The breakfast situation here is actually quite impressive for a boutique property. They serve a proper Turkish spread — fresh cheeses, olives, honey from local producers, and warm bread that arrives throughout the morning. The continental options are solid too, and I appreciated that they offer halal choices alongside the buffet setup. You can eat in their elegant dining restaurant or, if you’re lucky with the weather, grab a spot near the windows where you catch glimpses of the Bosphorus in the distance.

Why Guests Love It

Here’s the thing about Demiray Hotel Old City — it delivers that luxury experience without feeling pretentious or disconnected from its surroundings. The staff genuinely knows the neighborhood and can point you toward hidden gems that most tourists never discover. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway (hence those high couple ratings) or just want to immerse yourself in Istanbul’s incredible history, this place gives you that perfect home base. The 8.7 overall rating really reflects what you experience — polished hospitality in a location that can’t be beat, where every morning you wake up surrounded by some of the world’s most significant historical sites.

Demiray Hotel Old City Accommodations

Reviews of Demiray Hotel Old City

• Kaltham from United Arab Emirates (9/10)

  I like staff specially Mustafa he gave us two rooms as we were booking one family room but because need to check in early he helped as, also there is one other guy help me to reserve taxi.
  Breakfast nice
  Location good

• Kossentini from Canada (8/10)

  The breakfast was very good. The service was also very good. The location was so good that we did not need to take any public transportation to visit the main landmarks, go to restaurants and cafes, do our shopping, etc.

• Ajay from United States (9/10)

  Staff were extremely friendly, hospitable, and helpful. Breakfast was excellent. The fact that it was in a rooftop restaurant with excellent views of Istanbul was a bonus!

• Arturas from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Wonderful hotel

• Montse from Cambodia (9/10)

  The view of the terrace and the size of the bedrooms

• Islam from Belgium (9/10)

  Location is perfect to visit different areas

• David from Spain (9/10)

  Breakfast

• Angela from Ireland (8/10)

  Great location – very easy walk to all the tourist attractions. Great view from rooftop restaurant. Good breakfasts – lots of choice.

• Jelena from Serbia (9/10)

  The Demiray Hotel is in an excellent location; everything is within walking distance, allowing you to visit all the main attractions in 10 minutes or less. This includes the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Bazaar. While Galata is also relatively close, be aware that it can be a bit challenging to reach due to the incline. The pier for boat or yacht tours of the Bosphorus is very nearby as well.
  As for the hotel itself, it is amazing. We booked a suite with a view, and it was gorgeous! From our bed, we could see Galata and the famous bridge. Both rooms in the suite were very clean, quiet, and spacious.
  They provided welcome drinks, bottled water, tea, and coffee. The spa is also fantastic; I highly recommend the steam room, which is one of the best I have ever used.
  If you visit Istanbul during the winter months, you may need to request that the receptionist activate the heating option for the air conditioning in your room. This setting might not be visible by default. In our case, it wasn't visible initially, but once the receptionist turned it on, the heating made the room very warm, reaching temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius.
  The staff is incredibly helpful and very polite. They were always ready to assist with anything you need. The food was delicious, and the view from the restaurant was spectacular. Even if you book a room without a view of the Bosphorus, you will still enjoy an amazing view from the restaurant.
  The hotel is safe, with a police station next door, which enhances the safety of the entire neighborhood (in my honest opinion, this is a significant advantage, especially for foreigners).
  I would highly recommend this hotel if you want to explore Istanbul without relying on a taxi or Uber. I hope this detailed review helps you with your booking!

• Tasnim from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Service was excellent, breakfast had a variety, view was gorgeous from the restaurant, staff were very helpful and lovely, rooms very clean, spa was fantastic and cleaned to a very good level, massage was more than brilliant

Surroundings

Facilities