Istanbul Old City Sultanahmed Miran Hotel, Cemberlitas

The hotel stands at Binbirdirek Mah. Gedikpasa Cami Sok. No:66, Cemberlitas, Istanbul, postcode 34126. Measured in a straight line, it sits about 0.3 km from the Sokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque, about 0.5 km from the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, about 0.6 km from the Basilica Cistern and about 0.7 km from Hagia Sophia. Topkapi Palace and the Suleymaniye Mosque are each about 1.2 km away, and Sirkeci railway station about 0.9 km.

For arrivals by air, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is about 30.8 km away and Istanbul Airport about 34.1 km, both in a straight line. The hotel runs an airport shuttle for a fee, which spares you the question of how to cover that distance with luggage.

The rooms divide into two shapes. The Superior Double Room Single Use is the smallest at 16 m², with one double bed and a stated capacity of one guest: it is the solo traveller's room. The Superior Double or Twin Room and its Patio variant are 18 m² each, with either one queen bed or two twin beds, so they suit a couple or two people who want separate beds.

The Superior Single Room, despite its name, has one queen bed and one twin bed in 18 m², with a city view, so it can serve a guest who wants a second bed in the room. The largest room is the Superior Triple Room at 23 m², with one double bed and one twin bed and a city view, which is the natural pick for a small family or three people sharing. Only the Triple and the Single Room have a city view stated; for the others, no view is given.

Across the range the rooms are compact: nothing exceeds 23 m², so travellers who want space to spread out should weigh that before choosing.

Children are allowed, and the hotel backs that up in practice: it offers family rooms and babysitting, which together make it workable for parents who want an evening out or need extra beds in one unit.

The hotel has a lift and facilities for disabled guests. There is a restaurant on site, plus room service for guests who would rather eat in their room.

Check-in runs from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, a fairly standard window that still leaves the morning for a late breakfast or an early start.

The airport shuttle is also paid, as is clear from its own terms.

It suits solo travellers, who get a dedicated single-use room, and couples or pairs of friends, who can pick between a queen bed and two twins at the same 18 m² size. Families are well provided for: children are allowed, family rooms and babysitting exist.

It suits less well anyone travelling in a larger group and anyone who measures a hotel by its public spaces should note that the emphasis here is on the rooms and a handful of services rather than extensive leisure facilities.