Lonely Planet Review

It's a bit rough around the edges, but tiny Mavi Guesthouse is a perennial favourite for its location (a short stroll to Istanbul's top sights), friendly hosts and chilled atmosphere. It's not geared for partying, but is more for travellers who prefer to swap travelling yarns over a backgammon board.

Mavi doesn't have the drawcards of many of its Sultanahmet competitors (eg rooftops with great Bosphorus views and buzzing bars), but what it lacks in amenities it makes up in friendliness and cosiness. Here you can chat til the wee hours in the pint-sized sitting room and enjoy your breakfast on streetside tables. The rooms are fairly basic but clean enough. All rooms share toilets which are cleaned regularly but could still do with being retiled. The cheapest accommodation is in the 10 bunk beds squeezed under a tarpaulin on the rooftop. Almost sleeping on your neighbour is a sure way to kick-start a conversation! An added bonus is the views, over to Aya Sofya and a bird's-eye view of the excavations of the Great Byzantine Palace. They'd pay a packet for this elsewhere!