During my trip to Istanbul last September, I knew right away that location was my top priority. I wanted to stay somewhere central, close to major attractions, and easy to explore on foot. After looking into a few areas, I decided on Fatih, Istanbul’s historic old town.
Once the area was decided, the next step was finding a place to stay. As usual, I turned to my favourite booking site, Agoda, where I came across Antique Hostel. The reviews immediately caught my attention. I did a quick check on Google Maps to get a better feel for the location, and once I saw how central it was, I booked a 3-night stay without much hesitation. I didn’t want to risk it being fully booked, knowing how in demand the hostel is.
That excitement almost cost me, though. I later realised I had accidentally booked the hostel for August instead of September, and the reservation was non-refundable. Luckily, after reaching out to both Agoda and the hostel, they were kind enough to change my dates without any extra charges. That alone gave me a great first impression of the hostel—before I even arrived.
✅ Room at Antique Hostel, Istanbul
When people hear the word ‘hostel’, most of us immediately picture bunk beds in shared rooms and a shared toilet with strangers. While that can be true for some hostels, it’s not always the case. Many hostels—including Antique Hostel—also offer private rooms, which was exactly what I booked.
I stayed in a Double Room with breakfast included for 3 days and 2 nights, which cost me RM314.62. For Istanbul, especially considering the location, I found this very reasonable.
The room itself was spacious and comfortable, especially for a solo traveler like me. It came with a comfortable double bed, a small sofa next to the bed, and a wardrobe to keep my clothes organized. One thing I really didn’t expect was that the room had a balcony. The view was mainly of the neighboring building, and it was quite close, but that honestly didn’t bother me at all. I didn’t spend much time sitting there anyway. I mainly used the balcony to dry my clothes after washing them, which is always a big plus when traveling.
The bathroom was clean and well-maintained, with a proper shower, shower gel provided, and fresh towels included. It had everything I needed.
I also loved the room décor. The overall theme leaned towards warm tones, with a slightly vintage feel. The artwork on the wall above the bed especially caught my attention. It was the kind of art that feels a bit bold and thought-provoking—something not everyone might appreciate, but very much my kind of thing. It added personality to the room and made it feel less generic.
If I had to mention a downside, it would be the remote control, which didn’t work very well for both the air conditioner and the TV. I had to press it quite hard for it to respond, and the TV remote didn’t work at all. That said, it didn’t really affect my stay since I spent most of my days walking around Istanbul and came back exhausted. Watching TV was the last thing on my mind.
More importantly, the room felt safe and comfortable, with no eerie or uncomfortable vibes at all. After long days of exploring, it was a place I genuinely enjoyed coming back to.
✅ The Location
One of the best things about Antique Hostel is its amazing location right in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district—basically the heart of the old city. If you’re like me and love exploring on foot, this place is perfect.
The hostel is located on Kutlugün Sokak, just a few minutes’ walk from some of Istanbul’s most famous sights:
- Blue Mosque – 2 minutes
- Hagia Sophia – 3 minutes
- Basilica Cistern – 3 minutes
- Topkapi Palace – a short stroll away
- Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome – also super close
Being here really makes you feel like you’re surrounded by history. Ancient buildings, museums, cozy streets with cafés and local shops—you can simply step outside and start exploring. There’s no need to rely on taxis or public transport if you want to see the main attractions.
If you do want to venture further, it’s also very convenient. The Sultanahmet tram stop is just a short walk away, and Sirkeci station isn’t far either. So whether you want to explore the city center or take a day trip outside, it’s easy.
At night, the streets around the hostel feel lively but not noisy. Restaurants, bakeries, dessert shops and a convenience store stay open, yet it’s still peaceful enough to get a good night’s sleep. It’s one of those rare places where you’re right in the action but still feel at home.
✅ The Staff
I didn’t interact with the staff much during my stay, except for the guy at the front desk—but he made a great impression. The moment I arrived to check in, he greeted me warmly and spoke excellent English.
I arrived before the check-in time, but he was super accommodating. He let me leave my backpack at the hostel while I wandered around the area, and even offered me the option to rest at the café on the upper floor until my room was ready. I thought that was really thoughtful and made my first hours in Istanbul much easier.
On the day I checked out, he also helped me arrange an airport transfer, even though it was quite last-minute. I really appreciated how he went out of his way to help and made sure everything went smoothly.
✅ The Breakfast
Breakfast at Antique Hostel was served on a plate and placed on the counter, with extra bread available if you wanted more. Tea and coffee were self-service, which made it easy to grab a warm drink before heading out.
The staff in the café didn’t speak much English, but they still greeted me with a cheerful “good morning” and communicated with friendly hand gestures. As for the food, it was a typical Turkish breakfast—potatoes, fruits, boiled eggs, and bread. It wasn’t heavy like breakfasts back in Malaysia, but it was filling enough to start the day and gave me the energy I needed for wandering around Istanbul.
What I loved most was the view from the café—you can catch a glimpse of the ocean while having breakfast, which really sets a nice mood for the day.
✅ Safety In The Area
The area around the hostel is generally very busy and touristy, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and well-known attractions nearby. So yeah, the streets are usually lively throughout the day, with people present most of the time, which can be reassuring.
My first day in Istanbul was a bit challenging. Turkey is known for tourist scams, and unfortunately, I experienced some uncomfortable moments early on. I didn’t feel completely at ease, especially with how some men were overly affectionate. There were times when I was touched on the arm or shoulder for no clear reason, which made me uncomfortable. Some also insisted on buying me tea, and a few even followed me, which made me feel unsafe.
Because of these experiences, I felt hesitant to wander around on my first night. I also had a bad experience at the very first restaurant where I had lunch—items were added that I didn’t order, the price didn’t match the menu, and when I paid, I didn’t receive any balance back. It turned out this wasn’t the only restaurant doing this. The amount wasn’t big, so I let it go, but I quickly learned that paying by card was the safest way to avoid the same problem again.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy Istanbul as much as I had hoped. However, one thing I can’t deny is that the food was absolutely delicious—definitely a highlight of the trip.
If you’re a woman traveling solo to Istanbul, I’d say just be extra aware, stay alert, and don’t hesitate to say no or walk away when something doesn’t feel right.
✅ Would I Recommend Staying Here?
Absolutely.
Despite a few minor issues, I would stay here again if I ever come back to Istanbul—mainly because of the excellent location. Being able to walk to major attractions, return easily after a long day, and stay right in the heart of the old city made a huge difference to my trip.
Antique Hostel is comfortable, convenient, and a good base for exploring Istanbul.
I highly recommend staying here, especially if you are a solo traveller.
—Auri Duham🌸
