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If you’re looking for the best rooftop views and the best hotel in Istanbul, Henna Hotel is the place to go. Henna Hotel Istanbul opened in April 2021 and I was a bit wary at first staying at a hotel with minimal reviews since it was so new, but my gut told me that I needed to stay here and I’m so happy I followed my instincts because this hotel far exceeded my expectations.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My friend, Kathy, and I were traveling in Turkey, and Istanbul was our last stop on our itinerary. We flew into Istanbul Airport (IST) and it was about a 40-minute drive to the hotel. Usually, the taxi can take us right up to the hotel, but on the day we arrived, the president happened to be in town and numerous roads were blocked.

Unfortunately, the road to our hotel was blocked, so we had to walk uphill for 10 minutes with our large pieces of luggage. It was a brutal journey, but there was no other way to get there but walk.

As soon as we arrived, the staff apologized that we had to walk all that way and immediately took our luggage and suggested we sit and relax. They offered us delicious lemonade while we checked in and asked if we were hungry as well.

We were actually pretty hungry since we hadn’t eaten much before we arrived, so we were thrilled that they were going to provide lunch for us.

We originally booked a double room with two single beds, but the manager suggested we take a look at several rooms and see which room would work out best for us.

The original room I booked seemed a bit small, so I asked if they had a bigger room available. They showed us the triple room by the courtyard and we immediately fell in love and decided to stay in Room C02. The room still needed to be cleaned, so we went back to the lobby to have our lunch.

The lunch they provided was fantastic and the barista offered us coffee and tea as well. Yasemine was one of the baristas and we immediately bonded and became fast friends.

THE ROOM

Everything about our room was perfect. It was very spacious with three twin beds, four nightstands (with plenty of outlets), a working desk, refrigerator, lounge area, luggage rack, large closet, and a huge TV.

The bathroom was especially nice with a large sink and plenty of counter space for both of us. The shower was lovely with a shower head directly above you and a handheld shower head as well. This was one of the best showers I took in Turkey. The shower pressure was perfect and I was able to adjust the temperature to exactly what I needed. I felt so refreshed after my shower.

They provide plenty of toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and bath sponges. We really appreciated the bath sponges because it’s so much easier to wash your body with those compared to a hand towel.

They also provide plenty of soft, large towels, slippers, and a hair dryer as well.

There is plenty of storage space in the closet and below the luggage rack. The closet has six hangers and a large safety deposit box.

Every day, we were given three bottles of water and there is also instant coffee and tea.

The beds were very comfortable and we slept so well here. I usually wake up early, but one morning, I accidentally slept in because those beds were that comfy. Plus, there was complete silence and darkness. It was the best night’s rest I’ve had in a while.

AMENITIES

One of the best features of this hotel is the rooftop. You get an incredible view of the Hagia Sophia mosque and on the other side, the view of the Bosphorus Strait. Both sides have a lovely view and we enjoyed our dinners up here.

We also took advantage of the great photo opportunities as they decorated the terrace so beautifully with colorful pillows, rugs, and tables.

The lounge area is very relaxing and this is where we had our delicious complimentary Turkish breakfast, or kahvaltı, every morning. In true Turkish style, you’ll get a feast including olives, slices of bread, fruit preserves, honey, butter, assorted cheese, nuts, dried fruits, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Plus, you’re offered eggs in any style served in a tiny copper skillet called a sahan.

You can also order food from their kitchen any time of the day and I highly recommend eating at this hotel because they have the most incredible chefs. All the dishes we had were superb and presented so elegantly.

And you must try their homemade desserts because they are to die for. They usually display the desserts at the coffee bar and every time they had a new dessert, I would ask for a piece with their delicious coffee or Turkish tea.

On another note, if you need a PCR test, the hotel will arrange one for you. A medic came to the hotel in the morning to take our samples and by the next morning, we had our results neatly placed in a vinyl cover.

STAFF & SERVICE

I have stayed at many hotels on my travels and this was by far the best service I have ever received. Not only are they professional, but they are extremely friendly as well. We experienced this at all the hotels in Turkey, but Henna Hotel in Istanbul takes it a step further by making you feel like you are guests of their home.

We became fast friends with several of the staff members and they always wanted to make sure that we were happy and satisfied with our stay.

While I was sitting in the lobby one day answering emails, the staff came up to me several times to offer me drinks and food. Or they would just come by to chat to see how my day was. I truly felt like they were my friends and I always felt a warm welcome when I came back to the hotel after a long day of sightseeing.

LOCATION

Henna Hotel is located in the center of Sultanameht where the Historic Areas of Istanbul is within a 5-minute walk. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, but I would recommend eating at the hotel or at Palatium Cafe and Restaurant which is around the corner and has an underground ancient palace underneath the restaurant. The popular Seven Hills Restaurant is also a quick walk from the hotel, but the food was average at best.

The historic Grand Bazaar is a quick 15-minute walk and along the way, I highly suggest stopping by Cigdem Pastanesi. They have the best pastries and desserts at a great price.

On the way back to the hotel, you can also stop by Firuz Kebap House where they make fresh gözlemes right in front of you and have the best-flavored kebaps.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In all of my hotel stays, I have never felt so sad to leave. Not only because I had a wonderful hotel stay, but because the entire staff is incredible. And I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. Each and everyone one of them was wonderful and genuinely wanted us to have the best time at their hotel and in their city.

A special thanks to the owner, Yasemine, and Sema for making our stay extra special by treating us to delicious foods, drinks, gifts, and a good time. I will never forget my experience here.

So, have I convinced you that Hotel Henna is the best hotel to stay at in Istanbul? Just do it! You’ll absolutely love it.

HENNA HOTEL ISTANBUL
ADDRESS: Cankurtaran, Akbıyık Cd. No. 9, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
PHONE: +90 545 541 00 08
@istanbul_henna