PALMERA HAGIA SOPHIA: 0.5 km from Hagia Sophia, adults only

The hotel stands in the Hocapaşa district of Istanbul, on Ebusuud Caddesi. Its position puts it close to several of the city's major monuments: Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace are each about 0.5 km away in a straight line, and the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Irene are each about 0.4 km away. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is about 0.8 km away and the Süleymaniye Mosque about 1.2 km.

For onward travel, Sirkeci railway station is about 0.3 km from the hotel, in a straight line. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 30.6 km away; the hotel runs an airport shuttle for a fee.

There are four room types. The Twin Room with Shower is the smallest and simplest: 14 m², two twin beds, sleeping up to 2, with a city view. The Standard Double Room is a touch larger at 15 m², with one double bed for up to 2 guests and a garden view.

The Triple Room and the Family Room share the same bed arrangement, two twins and one double, and both sleep up to 4. They differ in size: the Triple Room is 25 m² and the Family Room 30 m², both with garden views. For a group of three or four adults who want the most space, the Family Room is the room to choose; the Triple Room suits the same party at a slightly smaller size.

Note that although the hotel offers family rooms, children are not allowed to stay: these rooms are for groups of adults, not for families travelling with kids.

This is a hotel rather than a resort, and its facilities reflect that. It has a bar and room service and there is a lift between floors. Parking is available and paid, with accessible parking spaces too.

The airport shuttle is paid, as is the parking. There is no restaurant, pool or spa among the hotel's facilities; the emphasis is on the rooms and the location rather than on leisure amenities.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00, which allows a full morning before departure. Children are not allowed, and pets are not allowed either, so the hotel is an adults-only property in both respects.

Parking is paid, so anyone arriving by car should budget for that. The airport shuttle is also paid.

The hotel suits adults travelling in pairs or small groups who want to be within about half a kilometre of Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern, with the railway station at Sirkeci about 0.3 km away. A couple can take the Standard Double Room or the Twin Room with Shower; a party of three or four adults can take the Triple Room or the Family Room, the latter being the larger at 30 m².

It does not suit families with children, since children are not allowed, nor guests bringing pets. Nor does it suit anyone expecting resort amenities: there is no pool or spa, and the dining offer is a bar and room service rather than a restaurant.