#260 of 2,402 hotels in Istanbul based on Tripadvisor
Ava
United Kingdom,
March
2025
7.4/10
I had a mixed experience at Arena Hotel during my stay. The location was fantastic, being close to attractions like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, which allowed for easy exploration. However, the room was quite small, and I encountered issues with cleanliness and service from management. While some staff were friendly and the breakfast spread was good, the overall experience left much to be desired.
Rooms
5.0
My room was quite small and not very clean. It lacked proper maintenance, with sockets loose from the wall and inadequate air conditioning.
Service
5.0
I found the front desk staff to be quite pleasant, but management was rude and dismissive when I raised concerns. This impacted my overall satisfaction.
Location
10.0
The hotel's location is a strong point, being within walking distance of major sites like the Palace and St. Sophia. It was convenient for exploring the old city.
Dining
10.0
Breakfast offered a generous selection, with fresh fruits and home-made pastries, making it a highlight of my stay.
Facilities
5.0
The hotel did have nice facilities like a Turkish bath, but maintenance issues detracted from my comfort.
Daniel
United Kingdom,
March
2025
6.0/10
I had a pretty decent stay at Arena Hotel, thanks to its perfect location near major attractions like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The warm reception I received was a highlight, and I found the breakfast options to be adequate. However, my room did have a few quirks, like limited natural light and a somewhat outdated vibe, which slightly dulled the experience. Overall, it’s a nice spot if you're looking for easy access to Istanbul's iconic sites.
Rooms
7.0
The room was small and cozy, equipped with the essentials, but had poor lighting and an outdated feel. My bathroom was decent, which was a plus.
Service
8.0
The staff were generally friendly and helpful, especially the woman who checked me in. However, I encountered some coldness from another staff member, which was a bit off-putting.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was key, being just a short walk from major tourist spots, which made exploring the city super easy.
Dining
7.0
The breakfast spread was limited but decent, offering enough variety to start the day. Though I wished it had a bit more character to it.
Facilities
6.0
While the hotel offers several facilities like laundry and airport shuttles, I found some aspects, like the lack of toiletries replenishment, a bit lacking.
Owen
United Kingdom,
January
2025
7.2/10
My stay at Arena Hotel was a mix of ups and downs. The location was fantastic, just a short walk to the Blue Mosque and other historic spots. However, I faced some issues with room comfort and staff service which left me a bit disappointed. Overall, the hotel has a charming history, but improvements are definitely needed.
Rooms
6.0
The room I had was cozy, but it could've been better. It was clean, which is a plus, but some amenities, like the air conditioning, weren't functioning well.
Service
5.0
While some staff were welcoming, I did encounter rudeness from others when I raised issues about the room. It's frustrating when that happens.
Location
9.0
The hotel’s location was perfect for exploring the Sultanahmet area. I loved being so close to the major sights, making it easy to walk everywhere.
Dining
7.0
The breakfast had a decent variety, although I expected more freshness. A few more options would have made it more enjoyable.
Facilities
7.0
I didn’t have time to use the Turkish bath, but heard good things about it. They do offer a range of services, but nothing super special.
Andrew
United Kingdom,
November
2024
7.2/10
My stay at Arena Hotel was quite pleasant, enjoying the warm atmosphere and attentive staff. The breakfast buffet was generous, featuring a nice variety that kept me satisfied throughout my mornings. However, I did encounter some issues with room maintenance, particularly in the showers, which detracted from the overall quality of my experience.
Rooms
7.0
While my room was spacious and comfortable, I did notice some wear and tear in the shower fittings, which needs addressing. Overall, the room offered good views and was clean, but could benefit from a refresh.
Service
8.0
The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, genuinely making me feel at home. Their willingness to assist with my needs was commendable, although I noticed some disparities in service at night when the reception was less welcoming.
Location
9.0
Arena Hotel is perfectly situated just minutes away from iconic landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, making it very convenient for exploring the historic areas of Istanbul on foot.
Dining
8.0
The breakfast was a highlight, offering a good mix of Turkish and continental dishes. Although it was satisfying, a bit more variety from day to day would have been appreciated.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel offered several facilities, including a cozy lobby area where I enjoyed relaxing with tea. However, I found that the spa services could be more accessible without prior booking, limiting spontaneous visits.
Emerson
United Kingdom,
October
2024
7.0/10
During my stay at Arena Hotel - Special Class, I experienced a mix of positives and negatives. While I enjoyed the excellent location near major attractions and the warm service from a few staff members, I faced significant disappointments regarding room size and amenities, as well as poor Wi-Fi connectivity. Breakfast options were limited, and overall, I felt the hotel didn't meet my expectations based on its online presence.
Rooms
6.0
My room was disappointingly small, barely fitting the essentials, and the bathroom didn't resemble what was shown on the website. The lack of functionality and comfort definitely detracted from my stay.
Service
7.0
The staff was friendly and tried to be helpful, but the overall management seemed disorganized. There were instances where I felt my requests weren't adequately addressed.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location is a strong point, just a short walk from iconic sites like the Blue Mosque. It provided easy access to the heart of the city's rich history.
Dining
6.0
Breakfast was decent but lacked variety, especially for guests from different culinary backgrounds. I was hoping for more fresh options, especially juices.
Facilities
5.0
Facilities were standard, but the Wi-Fi was almost non-existent in my room, which severely affected my ability to stay connected during my stay.