Stay Lab Taksim: a hotel about 0.7 km from Taksim Square

Stay Lab Taksim is a hotel at 2 Balo Sokak, 34435 Istanbul. Its closest well-known point is Taksim Square, about 0.7 km away in a straight line, with Galata Tower about 1 km. Farther out, Topkapı Palace and Süleymaniye Mosque are each about 2.4 km from the hotel, Hagia Sophia about 2.9 km and Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 3.2 km, all in a straight line. These are straight-line figures, not travel distances.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 31.6 km away. The hotel runs an airport shuttle for a fee, a practical option over that distance.

Every room type has one queen bed and sleeps up to three, so the choice between them comes down to size and view. The Standard Double Room, at 14 m², is the smallest and looks onto the street. The Standard Queen Room, at 18 m², gives the same street view with more floor space. The other four room types take a city view: the Deluxe Room and the Deluxe Double Room, at 16 m² each; the Superior Room, at 17 m²; and the Superior Double Room, at 20 m², the largest of all.

For a couple, the Standard Double Room is the compact option and the Superior Double Room the roomiest. Nothing separates the Deluxe Room from the Deluxe Double Room on size, bed or view: both are 16 m², both have one queen bed and both take a city view. Because every room has a single queen bed, a third guest in any of them shares that bed, so a party of three is best placed in one of the larger rooms. None of the room types has a second bed, so the third guest never gets one to themselves.

The hotel has room service and a lift. An airport shuttle runs for a fee, and parking is paid, with accessible parking spaces part of the hotel's own parking.

For anyone arriving by air, the paid shuttle covers the about 31.6 km between the hotel and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 12:00.

• Children are allowed; since every room type sleeps up to three, a couple with one child fits any room.
• Pets are not allowed.
• Parking is paid; accessible parking spaces are among the hotel's own.

Stay Lab Taksim suits couples and parties of up to three who want to be close to Taksim Square, about 0.7 km away in a straight line, and to Galata Tower, about 1 km. Solo travellers and pairs fit every room type; the smallest, at 14 m², is tight only by comparison with the rest.

It works less well for travellers bringing a pet, for groups larger than three who want to share a single room, and for anyone who expects a pool or a spa. Drivers should factor in paid parking. The sights farther out, Topkapı Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque, about 2.4 to 3.2 km away in a straight line, are the distances to weigh against where you plan to spend your days.