Ancient Town Hotel, Sultanahmet, near Little Hagia Sophia

Ancient Town Hotel is a hotel in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, at Kucuk Ayasofya Mah. Kasap Osman Sok No:10, postcode 34122. Its position is its defining feature. Little Hagia Sophia and the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque are each about 0.1 km away in a straight line, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 0.4 km, Hagia Sophia about 0.8 km, Topkapı Palace about 1.4 km and the Süleymaniye Mosque about 1.5 km.

Sirkeci railway station is about 1.3 km away, in a straight line. For flights, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is about 30.6 km from the hotel and Istanbul Airport about 34.5 km, both in a straight line.

The hotel has three room types, and all are compact. The Economy Double Room is the smallest at 12 m², with one double bed, and sleeps up to 3. The Standard Double or Twin Room is the largest at 15 m², comes with either one double bed or two twin beds, and also sleeps up to 3. The Standard Single Room has one double bed, sleeps up to 1, and is the only room type with a city view.

For a couple, the choice is between the tighter economy double and the roomier standard room. Every room in the hotel has a double bed, and the standard can alternatively be set with two twin beds, the only way to get two separate beds here. Because the Economy Double Room and the Standard Double or Twin Room each sleep up to 3 and children are allowed, a family of three can share one of those rooms rather than take two. The single is built for one traveller alone, with a double bed and the only city view among the three.

The hotel offers a paid airport shuttle for the transfer to or from either airport. Parking at the hotel is paid as well, so a traveller arriving by car should expect that cost separately from the room.

Because both airports lie at a similar distance, roughly 30 to 35 km, the shuttle is useful whichever one a flight uses. A traveller without a car has no need of the parking; a traveller with one should simply know it is paid.

Check-in is from 13:00 and check-out until 11:00. Children are allowed; pets are not. Travellers with an early arrival or a late departure should plan around these times.

This is a hotel for travellers whose priority is the address: two landmarks about 0.1 km away, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 0.4 km, and Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Süleymaniye Mosque all within about 1.5 km. The rooms are small; the location is what a traveller is choosing here.

At 12 m² for the economy double and 15 m² for the standard, the two double rooms are tight for three people, and anyone who wants generous space, or a room larger than 15 m², should weigh that before choosing. The single room, with one double bed and a city view, serves one traveller and no more.

• Couples, who can take either double room; the standard, at 15 m², is the roomier choice.
• Solo travellers, who get a single room with a double bed and a city view.
• A family of three, since the Economy Double Room and the Standard Double or Twin Room each sleep up to 3 and children are allowed.
• Not pet owners: pets are not allowed.
• Not travellers counting on parking or an airport transfer at no charge: both are paid.
• Not groups of four or more: no room in the hotel sleeps more than 3, so more than one room is needed.