Grand Peninsula Hotel: Sultanahmet

The Grand Peninsula Hotel stands on Akbıyık Caddesi in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, postcode 34116. Its position is its strongest asset: the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is about 0.3 km away in a straight line, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern about 0.4 km each, and Hagia Irene about 0.5 km. Topkapı Palace is about 0.9 km and the Süleymaniye Mosque about 1.8 km, both in a straight line.

For onward travel, Sirkeci railway station is about 1.1 km away. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 30.1 km from the hotel and Istanbul Airport (IST) about 34.7 km, in a straight line.

This is a hotel of small, varied rooms rather than large suites, and the choice between them is mostly a matter of size and level. The two single rooms are the smallest at 10 m² each, one twin bed apiece; the Basement Single Room sleeps up to one, while the Single Room sleeps up to two on the same bed. At the other end, the Family Room is the largest at 25 m², with a queen bed and two twin beds, and children are allowed at the hotel, so it fits a family with children sharing.

Between those extremes sit several doubles. The Small Double Room is 12 m² with a queen bed, the Basement Double Room and Standard Double Room are 15 m², and the Large Double Room is 20 m²; each of these sleeps up to three. The Basic Triple Room, at 22 m² with a queen bed and a twin bed, has no stated guest count but its beds suit three sharing. The Executive Suite is 20 m² with one queen bed and sleeps up to two; it is the only room with a sea view, where the Large Double, Basic Triple and Standard Double rooms look onto the street. Two rooms are in the basement, the Basement Single and the Basement Double, which travellers who want daylight or a view should weigh against their lower rates.

The Economy Double Room has one double bed and sleeps up to three, with no size given.

The hotel is a city property geared to sightseeing travellers rather than resort stays. Beyond the paid airport shuttle, its family rooms are the facility most worth noting: a family can take the 25 m² Family Room with its three beds, or split across two of the doubles that sleep up to three each.

Solo travellers and couples are equally well served, with singles from 10 m² and doubles at several sizes. Groups of three friends can use the Basic Triple Room or any of the doubles that sleep up to three.

Check-in runs from 14:00, with a latest check-in time of 23:30; anyone arriving after that should not expect to be received. Check-out is until 11:00. Children are allowed. Pets are not allowed, so travellers with animals will need a different hotel.

The Grand Peninsula Hotel suits travellers whose priority is being close to Sultanahmet's principal monuments, with the Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 0.3 km away in a straight line. It works for solo travellers, couples and families alike, thanks to a room range that runs from a 10 m² single to a 25 m² family room, and it suits three adults sharing through its triple and three-person doubles.

It does not suit travellers who want space as standard: even the Executive Suite is 20 m², and two room types are in the basement. It does not suit anyone arriving by car, since there is no parking, and it does not suit pet owners. Late arrivals past 23:30 will also need to look elsewhere.