We were fortunate to be in Istanbul both pre and post touring other areas of beautiful Turkey.
The staff at this hotel are very professional, helpful with sightseeing, restaurants, transportation. I commend Smiles for easy name recollection. All the staff in housekeeping, breakfast and reception went out of thei way to make this our home during our three day stay. Wonderful.
The reservation included breakfast that offered a broad number of Turkish and European food selections. Hot soup and multiple vegetable salads were an extra bonus.
The LOCATION of Aprillis Gold emersed us in history. Just two short blocks, uphill, to the trolley. Narrow streets are closed during the daytime to cars. During daytime hours, taxi pickup is just one block downhill, or two blocks away, walk right on the street fronting the hotel.
A grocery and wine store is one block to the right, same street.
We enjoyed two meals at Glass, just across the street with colorful lights in red, yellow, and blue. Soups, meze spreads, lamb with dried fruit, vegetables sautéed in mild curry, pizza, generous wine pours. A bit pricey, excellent preparation, attentive service.
Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Underground Basicalla Cistern, Muslim Art Museum on the Hippadrome walkway, Topkapi Castle complex, Museum of Mathematics and Science are all nearby. The Spice Market and Grand Bazaar are each about 15 minutes away.
