Hotel Perula & SPA in Sultanahmet, with hammam and sauna

Hotel Perula & SPA stands on Peykhane Sokak in the Binbirdirek neighbourhood of Sultanahmet, Istanbul, postcode 34000. The location is the hotel's main draw: in a straight line, the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque is about 0.2 km away, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 0.3 km, the Basilica Cistern about 0.5 km and Hagia Sophia about 0.6 km.

Further out, Topkapı Palace is about 1.2 km and the Süleymaniye Mosque about 1.4 km, both in a straight line. Sirkeci railway station is about 1.1 km away. Of the two airports, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 30.6 km and Istanbul Airport (IST) about 34.3 km, in a straight line; the hotel offers an airport shuttle for a fee, which matters given there is no parking at the property.

The six room types fall into two clear groups. The economy and budget rooms are compact: the Economy Twin Room is 15 m² with two twin beds and sleeps up to 3. The Budget Triple Room is 16 m² with one double bed and one twin bed and sleeps up to 4. The Economy Triple Room is also 16 m² with one double bed and one twin bed and sleeps up to 3.

The Standard Double or Twin Room, at 18 m², comes with either one double bed or two twin beds and sleeps up to 3, making it the natural choice for a couple who wants a bit more space than the economy rooms offer.

For families and small groups, there are two 35 m² options. The Standard Quadruple Room has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with one double bed and two twin beds, and sleeps up to 4; the second bathroom is unusual at this size and eases morning queues.

The hotel's spa facilities are its distinguishing feature: a spa, a hammam and a sauna, a combination that suits travellers who want to unwind after a day of sightseeing without leaving the building. Room service is there for evenings in, and a lift serves the building.

Family rooms are part of the offer, and children are allowed, so the hotel works for families with children as well as couples and solo travellers.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, a fairly standard window that allows a morning departure without rushing.

Children are allowed at the hotel, and pets are not. There is no parking at the property, so anyone arriving by car will need to plan for parking elsewhere; for most guests the paid airport shuttle and the railway station about 1.1 km away, in a straight line, cover arrival and departure.

This hotel suits travellers whose priority is being close to the Sultanahmet sights: the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace are all within about 1.2 km in a straight line. It also suits families, thanks to the family rooms, the 35 m² quadruple with two bathrooms, and the children-allowed policy, and anyone who values a hammam and sauna on site.

It is less suited to travellers arriving by car, since there is no parking, or to those travelling with pets, which are not allowed. Guests wanting large rooms should note that four of the six room types are 18 m² or smaller; only the two 35 m² family options offer generous space.