Welcome to our site!

All hotels claim to be “unique,” but please believe us when we tell you that in our case it also happens to be true.

First of all, we are the only hotel in all of Istanbul which is built both of stone and wood. Smoothly-hewn yellow-tinted stone (hence the name, “Saruhan,” old Turkish for “The Yellow Inn”) specially quarried in the Cappadocia region plus marble floors everywhere and the most beautiful woodwork-interior makes for a result that is strongly reminiscent of the fine old Ottoman mansions of yesteryear.

At the same time, 9 months of the most careful restoration has ensured that everything is modern and spotlessly clean! More than one guest has commented on our excellent mattresses, on their perfect night’s sleep, on the big, tiled bathrooms, the double-glazed windows, the air-conditioning, the balconies and, on the upper floors, the inspiring city views of Istanbul itself and the sea views to Asia and the Princess Islands. Breakfast – Turkish-style, of course, complete with the most delicious homemade jams – is taken on the open roof-terrace with the sea, its shipping and all of its vistas right in front of you.

But our location is also unique! Almost all the hotels of Istanbul are located in the center of the overly-touristy Sultanahmet area, whereas the Saruhan is located in the completely different and very colorful Kadirga neighborhood. Is that an advantage? You bet! In Kadirga (which means “sea-going galley”) you can experience the real, everyday life of the residents of Istanbul, without struggling through hordes of tourists or being accosted every five meters by someone trying to sell you a souvenir, a meal or – even worse – a carpet! Kadirga’s main street, the Limani Caddesi, is a flowing ribbon of “bakkallar” (small groceries), “lokantarlar” (small eateries), “kuaforler” (barber shops), “tatlici” (pastry shops) – and the ubiquitous “telefoncu” (mobile phone shops)..What a relief to be among the real Turks at last!

And yet the Saruhan Hotel is located on a quiet street of its own, its peace only broken by the friendly shouts of the amateur football players in the park nearby and by the mewing of the gulls from the Sea of Marmara. And it is just as close to all of the major tourist attractions as are the many hotels of Sultanahmet! The Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Aya Sofia are only ten minutes’ walk away in one direction, whereas the old fishing village of Kumkapi, now a part of Istanbul, too, with its quaint, tiny streets and famous fish restaurants, is just ten minutes’ walk away in the other.

We like to think that our “friendliness” is also unique, even though a lot of hotel sites make exactly the same claim. But let us just say that there are two kinds of friendliness in the hotel business, the “professional” kind and the natural kind, which comes straight from the heart. The Saruhan Hotel is owned by Mr..and Mrs. Faik Aytekin, but managed by their enterprising children, Miss Elif Aytekin and her brother, Ersin Aytekin, both in their twenties. Elif and Ersin not only speak very good English, but they are also very sweet-natured and genuinely interested in their guests. The hotel has a very informal atmosphere, Elif and Ersin always have time for a chat and are always ready to help to maximize the comfort of their guests and to give good advice about the wonderful world of Istanbul which begins at their doorstep.

The Saruhan Hotel – an unforgettably happy stay in Istanbul is just a “click” away!

Facilities
Car Parking
Internet
Air Conditioning
24 hour hot showers
Wheelchair accessible
24 hour reception
Credit cards accepted
Tours/Travel Desk
No curfew