Ares Hotel, Sultanahmet, 0.1 km from the Basilica Cistern

Ares Hotel is a hotel on Incili Cavus Sokak in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, postcode 34400. Its position puts it among the closest landmarks in the city: the Basilica Cistern is about 0.1 km away in a straight line, Hagia Sophia about 0.2 km, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 0.3 km. Hagia Irene is about 0.4 km and Topkapı Palace about 0.8 km.

Further out, Süleymaniye Mosque is about 1.4 km away and Sirkeci railway station about 0.8 km, both in a straight line. For flights, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 30.4 km away and Istanbul Airport (IST) about 34.3 km. The hotel runs an airport shuttle and an airport pick-up and drop-off service, all paid.

The four room types are close in size, from 12 m² to 17 m², so the choice comes down to beds and how many people each room takes. The Standard Single Room is the smallest at 12 m², with one twin bed, and sleeps up to 1; it is the option for someone travelling alone who wants the smallest footprint. The Standard Double Room and the Standard Twin Room are both 15 m² and both sleep up to 3: the double has one double bed, the twin has two twin beds, so two people who want separate beds take the twin, while a couple takes the double.

The Standard Triple Room is the largest at 17 m², with one twin bed and one double bed in the same room. It is the room for three people sharing, or for two who want the extra space and a second bed. No room type comes with a stated view, so choose on size and bed configuration rather than outlook.

The hotel has a spa with a hammam, which is unusual for a property of this size in a dense city district, and massage services are offered as well. There is a restaurant, a bar and a coffee shop on site, with room service for guests who would rather eat in, and live music at the hotel. A lift serves the building.

For arrivals and departures, the airport shuttle is paid, and the front desk runs around the clock. The hotel also arranges walking tours, bike tours and tours and classes on local culture, which suits travellers who want guided outings organised from where they are staying.

Check-in is from 13:00 and check-out until 12:00. Pets are not allowed. There is no parking at the hotel, so anyone arriving by car will need to park elsewhere; the hotel does offer car hire for travel beyond the city.

It suits a solo traveller, a couple or a small group of up to three who want to be within a few hundred metres, in a straight line, of the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and who value a spa and hammam in the building. The triple room makes it workable for three adults sharing, and the twin rooms work for friends travelling together.

It does not suit anyone travelling with a pet, since pets are not allowed, and it has no parking of its own, which makes it awkward for anyone driving in. There is no pool, and the rooms are compact, all 17 m² or smaller, so travellers wanting generous space should look at larger properties.