Lonely Planet Review

Once a backpackers, the Alp has been given a facelift. Unfortunately it's the mock-Alpine sauna-timber look, so very popular in Sultanahmet, but we forgive them because of the improvements inside.

The decor is simple, with stylish Ottoman-inspired wooden furniture (four-poster canopy beds, dressing table and chair), kilims (woven rugs) on the floors and walls, crisp white sheets, and small-but-spotless bathrooms. Most of the immaculate rooms are a fairly tight squeeze, but seem roomy enough because of the whitewashed walls and the frilly white curtains (hmm... not so conducive for late-morning sleeps?). Room 403 is our favourite, but any up the top have great views. Avoid the dark rooms on the lowest floor. The terrace upstairs isn't as big as most, but has first-rate views over the Sea of Marmara (views of Aya Sofya are obscured). Alp is right in the heart of things. It's a low-key, small hotel and run by friendly staff. A good choice.