VEFA Historical Suites Hotel: 45–55 m² apartments

VEFA Historical Suites Hotel is an aparthotel on Mehmethan Sokak in Istanbul, postcode 34134. Its position puts it close to several of the city's major monuments: Süleymaniye Mosque is about 0.4 km away and Zeyrek Mosque about 0.5 km, both in a straight line.

Further out, again in a straight line, Galata Tower is about 1.7 km, Sirkeci railway station about 1.5 km, Sultan Ahmed Mosque about 1.9 km, Hagia Sophia about 2 km and Topkapı Palace about 2.2 km. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is about 32.2 km away.

All five room types are apartments with a city view, and the spread in size is small: the Superior Apartment with City View is the smallest at 45 m², while the other four — the Apartment with Terrace, the Deluxe Apartment, the One-Bedroom Superior Apartment and the Studio Apartment — are each 55 m².

The smallest room makes do with a sofa bed, which sets it apart from the rest: every 55 m² apartment pairs one super-king bed with one sofa bed. For a couple who want a proper bed plus space to spread out, any of the four larger apartments works; the sofa bed in each also gives a family with a child a sleeping arrangement without a second bedroom booking.

Choosing among the four 55 m² apartments comes down to layout rather than size or beds, since all share the same footprint, the same super-king bed and sofa bed, and the same city view. The Apartment with Terrace is the one to pick if outdoor space matters to you.

As an aparthotel, the property is built around apartment living rather than hotel services, and its facilities reflect that. Family rooms are among its offerings, and children are allowed, so a family wanting apartment space with a sofa bed for a child is well matched here. Pets, on the other hand, are not allowed.

An airport shuttle is available for a fee, covering both pick-up and drop-off, which is worth arranging in advance given the airport is about 32.2 km away in a straight line. WiFi, air conditioning and heating are among the hotel's other facilities.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out until 12:00. Children are allowed, pets are not. The hotel is non-smoking throughout, with non-smoking rooms. Parking is free.

This hotel suits travellers who want apartment-scale space in Istanbul: even the smallest room is 45 m², every room has a city view, and the sofa beds plus family rooms make it workable for a couple with a child. Free parking and a paid airport shuttle cover the two main arrival scenarios, and the location — under half a kilometre in a straight line from Süleymaniye Mosque.

It suits a traveller less well if a pet is coming along, since pets are not allowed. Anyone who wants hotel services beyond apartment living — the property is an aparthotel, not a full-service hotel — should weigh that.