Arena Hotel - Special Class

Arena Hotel - Special Class descritpion

Situated in Istanbul's historic district of Sultanahmet, only a 2-minute walk from Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, this Ottoman-style hotel combines traditional décor with modern facilities, including free wireless internet access.
Arena Hotel - Special Class is an excellent example of a 19th-Century Ottoman stone house. It has been carefully restored in keeping with Istanbul's historic architecture and features antique furnishings. Each of the spacious rooms at Arena Hotel - Special Class is decorated in rich fabrics and a creative blend of warm colours.
You are warmly welcomed to Arena Hotel - Special Class with complimentary coffee and cookies upon your arrival. You can also benefit from a buffet breakfast each morning, included in your room rate.
The cooking classes take place in hotel’s kitchen. The guests can cook and then enjoy the amazing Turkish food, in Arena Hotel’s Delight. The marbling classes are available on Friday and Saturday, you may also ask for appointments for other days. Skin care treatment is offered and complimentary foot massage is also provided. Live music is available every Thursday.
The location of Arena Hotel - Special Class is ideal for exploring Istanbul's history. The friendly and helpful staff is happy to offer you recommendations for restaurants, shops or day trips.
Fatih is a great choice for travelers interested in Museums, Architecture and Monuments.

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The staff speaks English——Arena Hotel - Special Class's staff speaks:Turkish,French,Spanish,English,German
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Facilities of Arena Hotel - Special Class

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Massage | Turkish/Steam Bath

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：No parking available.

Languages Spoken ：Turkish | French | Spanish | English | German

Reviews for Arena Hotel - Special Class

Review 1：Nothing.

Review 2：The hotel is family run. The staff were very helpful especially Aysen. The location was excellent very close to Sultanahmet Mosque and the tramway. The area to the hotel was quiet and safe in the evening. There were many restaurants, shops,museums and historical sites walking distance.

Review 3：The hotel was the special:) it was a family hotel , the owner and his family where living there when he was a child ! Was a real turtkish hotel style ! This was why I choose to go there !!!

Review 4：Every day the same hot food during breakfast time. Verry, verry expencive drinks and deserts in a restaurant.

Review 5：Personal is very polite and tries to help you in all cases!

Review 6：Friendly staff, but most importantly so conveniently located to everything we wanted to see. If you want to stay in Sultanahmet, this is the place to be.

Review 7：Location is away from the metro and there are uphill road so it was hard for us as we had to children and a pram. Size of the hotel and room was below expectation. Service was bad. When we first arrived we were chocked of what we saw. Pictures in the website deceived us. So I asked the receptionist that we want to stay only one night then check out. He said your booking is for 3 days and it's non-refundable. I tried to explain, but he answered "you don't listen to me". That was extremely rude. None of the TV channels had clear picture, so the TV was useless. The balcony door was broken, meaning the door was kept unlocked and it was dangerous for two reasons. The first is that we felt unsafe from any outsiders or intruders, the second is that we had two kids and it that kept us worried.

Review 8：Breakfast

Review 9：Shower almost impossible to use in room 402 because headroom inadequate.Budget room meant could only see out of window from chair. If taller would have hit head on ceiling. Nevertheless glad we stayed and staff helpful.

Review 10：Location was close to almost every where we wished to visit.

Review 11：It is located on a narrow street which taxis have a hard time finding.

Review 12：Service was extremely attentive. Staff speaks excellent English. It is conveniently located to the major tourist attractions but still very quiet.

Review 13：Due to our short stay, we did not have the time to try their restaurant for dinner... word is it is excellent and the food they served us with (on the house) upon arrival as well as the birthday cake they made for my mother were delicious!!!

Review 14：It's a beautifull Ottoman house, providing all facilities of a nice hotel. We selected it for a short trip on my mother's anniversary. Location is excellent, like 5 minutes to Sultanahmed square or very nice and good restaurants. The comments would be that 1. there is a small hill to go up/down so be aweare of this if travelling will ealderly people. And 2. There is a certain degree of noice during the night from the cars going up and down the stree, so if you are a light sleeper that might prevent you from a 100% quality sleep. I don't see either of the above as problems, but I believe one should be aware of these. Lobby is beautiful, you can enjoy a drink there and read the paper/ map, very nice. Rooms (we had the corner suite) are large, nicelly decorated and well equiped. Breakfast is excellent, products are very good and variety more then sufficient. All in all it is a "at my best friends' home" alike atmosphere. Ask for advice and support from the staff, they trully know their business and would do everything to please you! We thank them all, especially Hayati and his blond and with glasses colleague-appologies we did not catch his name! Would recommend them whole-heartedly!

Review 15：Nothing comes to mind that I was not happy with.

Review 16：Position, on the edge of Sultanahmet just away from crowds, upgrade to nice big room, position right next to Solullu Mehmet Pasha mosque which was on my 'to do' list, good breakfast. In short - my sort of Istanbul hotel.

Review 17：Mattresses were hard: that's about it!

Review 18：Great and friendly staff. Location is amazing and very easy to walk to all attractions. Just like a family: staff waived us off as we left! Never had that before. They recommended great tours and even found a lost item!

Review 19：We loved the location. The Arena offers easy access to Sultanahmet Square, a quiet neighborhood, wonderful view from our window, consistent a/c when it got warm. Most of all we loved how helpful and kind the staff are.

Review 20：Five minutes walk to major attractions in old city. Nice traditional decor. Excellent staff - welcoming, friendly and very helpful from check-in to check-out.

Review 21：Some wifi issue, but once it got worked out it was very strong. The tv- literally 400 channels and only 2 percent in European languages. Somali and Afghani tv not too useful at a tourist hotel.

Review 22：Like right next to the blue mosque and hipodrome, amazing. The restaurant was one of the best meals in istanbul, and the family suite was big.

Review 23：I had a wonderful stay at this cute hotel. I stayed for 12 days. The management and staff are very helpful and welcoming and cooperative. Special thanks to Ayşan, Hayatı Bey from the reception (they know everything you need to know) and a big thanks to Mehmet the bellboy/waiter. He was very pleasant, helpful and so well-mannered. This is a hotel I will come back to again for sure. It's very, very clean and well taken care of. 5-6 minutes from the blue mosque and Main Street. 8 minutes to Sultanahmet tram station. I'm truly grateful for this hotel as it made my stay in Istanbul the best ever. And finally thanks to the cleaning lady, I forgot her name :) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Review 24：-breakfast can be more international.

Review 25：-Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Very good service. -Location is good, close distance from sultanahmet square, yet not so crowed and noisy. -We love the feeling that we stay in a hidden local house People are sitting under the tree, chatting at next door.

Review 26：We had a memorable staying and had a perfect chance to communicate with a hospitable staff. Moreover, they made a surprise on my birthday, therefore it seems that they care about everyone who stays at the hotel. Breakfast was delicious. Hotel is located near the most of the sights of Istanbul. We do recommend this hotel for everyone.

Review 27：The staff was incredibly polite, friendly, and helpful. We had issues getting there and they worked with the transfer each time we updated them with new information and it was the one thing we had no trouble with. They had plenty of traveler's needs in the bathroom which saved us since 1 of our bags came late. There breakfast was also huge and quite delicious. We loved being so close to Sultanahmet and many other big sights. The staff also helped us with directions, cabs, and good suggestions for other things to do. Oh! And they stored our luggage too, and decorated our room for our honeymoon each day. It was quite sweet.

Review 28：Excellent location with amazing staff. They went over and beyond to satisfy our every need. The room was very and cozy, felt like I`m visiting a friend`s house. They assisted with tours, shuttles to and from airport and even prepared a sightseeing tour for us.

Review 29：On our first night the generator started at 2-45am in the morning due to power failure. it was right outside our window, staff offered to move us but we could still hear it. It ceased at 4am when we moved back to our original room. At dinner one night I was half way through my beer and a waiter took it away without saying a word - I had to ask it for it back.....not good enough.

Review 30：Close to old town

Review 31：The bathroom could have been just a little bit cleaner. But I'm only talking about a 9 instead of a 10.

Review 32：Perfect location. Freindly, helpful and smiling family that runs the hotel. The hotel itself has character and history to it. Even sitting in the lobby was enjoyable. Short, pleasant, picturesque walk to all the main city attractions.

Review 33：Most of the staff were wonderful, and the owners were quite warm, but a few of the managers felt a bit severe. While we had bottled water and Turkish delight waiting for us our first night, such treats weren't there on the second night.

Review 34：The hotel is in the heart of the old city, steps from the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Hagia Sofia. There's a relaxed comfort about the former home turned boutique hotel. And there's a small hammam (Turkish bath)!

Review 35：Shower did not worked Poor breakfast quality Bad attitude of staff when we decided to change plams and leave the city Noisy room, noise from neighbors and outside street Confusing charges of parking in the street

Review 36：The only positive aspect was the location, other wise very expensive hotel for the quality of service provided

Review 37：nothing

Review 38：location great - 3 mins from hipodrom, nice breakfast, friendly staff, nice rooms (old style in older part, bit modern in new part) but both OK, additional services by reception (transfer), live music some day in restaurant

Review 39：My double bedroom was pretty small. Just enough room to edge around the bed. I didn't spend much time in the room or it might have started to bother me.

Review 40：The purpose of our trip was to attend a workshop and it turned out to be minutes away. Also, a member of our group became ill and the staff were very attentive and helpful.

Review 41：none

Review 42：Good location, only a few minutes walk to the main tourist spots. Staff were so friendly and above all, helpful any time of the day or night. Room was clean, included breakfast suited the location, no complaints. The owner was sometimes on hand and proud to tell you about the heritage of the hotel, how it was originally their family home and that he was born their. A nice touch and reflected the way they operated the hotel.

Review 43：one of the staff was rude and unpatient and not polite at all. and no non-hotel guests are allowed to visit their friends who stayed in this hotel which is really ridiculous. wifi was poor in some rooms.

Review 44：the location is good，room is clean and comfortable

Review 45：A bit mean when it came to providing water (one bottle free for our whole 3 night stay) and came the heavy sell for trips and guides etc. Tired decor

Review 46：Convenience of getting to old city sites

Review 47：I thought it added to the atmosphere of Istanbul but the hotel is close to a mosque so a 4am call to prayer might annoy some.

Review 48：This was a lovely hotel and the staff in particular were great. They put out a great breakfast each day and worked really hard to make everyone feel at home. The concierge was really helpful and nothing was too much trouble. I had a great trip arranged for me and the staff really know their city, directing you to excellent restaurants despite having their own in-house. I had a corner room which was spacious and was kept immaculate by housekeeping. I was on a romantic break and there were romantic touches to the room on arrival which I took credit for ; )) but we're really down to the hotel management themselves.

Review 49：View from my room was a bit overstated

Review 50：Staff made the experience. They reached out to me after receiving my booking.com reservation. They set up tours for me, airport pick up etc. Hayim and Anyos special thank you.

Review 51：I had room 403 which was an attic room with very low curved ceilings and a tiny porthole style window which I could bearly see out of. I kept bumping my head on the ceiling. I understood that my reservation for a standard roon was made fairly late so accepted the "last offering" room but when value for money is considered, I think the room was very overpriced. Other rooms appeared to look fine.

Review 52：Great reception desk assistance and help with tourist attraction sights...

Review 53：The only downside was that our room was on the lower level by the road, which made it a bit noisy.

Review 54：The location was perfect for our visit. Breakfast was tasty and had a good selection. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was large and beds were comfortable.

Review 55：The Spa service. It felt too short and incomplete for the money I paid.

Review 56：I liked the location, staff and traditional Turkish style ambience of the hotel.

Review 57：Excellent location, within walking distance of all the main sights. Helpful staff, excellent breakfast, comfortable room. It would be hard to think of a better choice for visiting Istanbul.

Review 58：We had booked a suite which on arrival we were told was not available. This was a great disappointment. However to be fair to the staff they did try to resolve the situation and sent fresh fruit and wine to our room as a gesture of good will.

Review 59：The Staff and the Family who own the Hotel were a delight. Very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was plentiful and very good. The location was excellent.

Review 60：Too expensive for the quality of rooms Small room, problems with getting the reserved room

Review 61：Extra services, helpullness Location Wonderful helpful personnel Idillic location on quiet street near a small mosque

Review 62：We had difficulty in finding the hotel.

Review 63：We liked everything about the hotel especially the atitude of the staff. The area was accessible to all the tourists attractions.

Review 64：the hotel was undergoing a substantial refurbishment, the lounge had workmen in it most of the day, the bar was closed during our stay and we had to walk on bubble wrap past pots catching water to get to our room.

Review 65：the rooms were very good , plenty of space and all the comforts of home.

Review 66：Nothing, everything was fine.

Review 67：The hotel ist not so big and luxury, more familiar and charming, as we like it. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the location is close to the most important spots of the city, so we could could walk there and also the room was very clean, light and silent. We enjoyed the stay very much!!

Review 68：The excellent location, close to the main sites and tram to other areas of the city. The friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. The lovely, generous breakfast. The spacious triple bedroom (roomy and comfortable, even though we were a family of four). The beautiful, late Ottoman furnishings. It was a pleasure to sit in the lounge area, reading, in the evenings.

Review 69：Rooms were reasonable but dinner was a bit pricey though good.

Review 70：Small hotel in excellent proximity to major museums and mosques. Friendly staff And good breakfasts.

Review 71：Bottled water are chargeable. For me it's too cheap, cost only 1TL, but can make your guest feel bad

Review 72：Location is excellent, walking distance in every area of Old city. This family run hotel is always give you warm feel. All crew are treat us like a family. Old building but decorated like five stars. Choose the new building for better room. I stay at 1st and 3rd day of my trip in Istanbul, 2nd day we went to Bursa and all our luggage are kept with them without problem. They can arrange any tours and airport transfer. They can suggest own trip also like a local. Thanks to Zeinep and Aisha

Review 73：The wi-fi was a bit slow, but that's a minor quibble.

Review 74：The staff were very friendly, the room was beautiful, the whole hotel had a very pleasant look to it, the breakfast was good, and the location was excellent.

Review 75：Nothing

Review 76：Arena staff were all wonderfully attentive and went out of their way to make you feel comfortable,as you would feel in your own home. We had a wonderful stay,would return if ever in Istanbul again By the way, breakfast was fantastic!

Review 77：Breakfast was fine, but could use a little upgrade.

Review 78：I was there with my husband and my mother. We stayed in 2 large comfortable rooms. We had a very nice stay and were very well attended by the kind staff who accommodated all our needs. Aysen in particular was extremely efficient and was very helpful to us. There is a very warm family feel as though you were in someones home which is very nice.

Review 79：Some of the rooms in the new wing have a glass wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom. It looks cool, but doesn't give you much privacy. However, service minded as they are, they changed our room immediately after we complained.

Review 80：Had a great stay. Rooms are nice and clean, and the location is perfect. The staff was very service minded and friendly. This is my second time at the Arena hotel and I would choose it again if I come back.

Review 81：Small rooms. Not enough space for more then one suitcase, everything was a tight fit. Shower stalls were small as well, difficult to maneuver in.

Review 82：Good location close to the Hippodrome. Situated on a side street with nearby restaurants and shops. Staff spoke English and were friendly and professional answering all questions and assisting with travel plans and arrangements. Decent breakfast buffet but looked like powdered eggs and there was an extra charge for fried eggs.

Review 83：Nothing at all.

Review 84：Everything! Staff were all great. The lady on duty when we checked in was so helpful and knowledgeable - a great asset to the hotel! Breakfast and room amenities were very good. Liked the touch of the chocolate coated nuts in the room. Very well located near major attractions and the hotel has a lot of character. We loved our stay and would definitely recommend.

Review 85：Just a little annoying, toilet continued to run after flushing

Review 86：Staff were fantastic:always greet with friendly smile and very very helpful with tourist tips, information for directions, public transport etc.

Review 87：I liked everything!

Review 88：Friendly staff, clean rooms, good breakfast, wifi in the rooms, great location - close to main places of interest and restaurants. The higher the floor the more beautiful the room is (and more expensive!) :-) still very reasonable price compare to the others in the same area.

Review 89：Room is small but we didn't stay much in the hotel; a little garden or terrace would have been nice for afternoon breaks

Review 90：The staff were most accommodating from friendly smiles each day to best recommendations for everything - a special thanks to Hayati for his assistance. Good healthy breakfasts; quiet little street with no cars and few people.

Review 91：Central location, good for restaurants, the main sites of Istanbul and transport. Very helpful staff, went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable. Hotel has "very good fen shui." Friends recommended this hotel and we have on hesitation in recommending it

Review 92：Wake up call to prayer every day, early - but rather goes with the location!

Review 93：Staff, cleanliness, location, beds. The people were wonderful, kind and generous. They gave us plenty of information to make our stay special. The food in the retaurant was good and the service prompt.

Review 94：The location was in short walking distance of all the main attractions. The staff were lovely particularly the maid who made me feel much better after I had been ill in the room! The reception staff organised a guide who was excellent. We all had a fantastic time even though I was not well. The hotel even upgraded our room! Breakfast was excellent with fresh fruit and lots of choice. I would recommend this hotel.

Review 95：Sadly for us, the master chef was off the Sunday we visited and the replacement was a disaster. The dish ordered bore no relation to the advertised menu and the accompaniments were motorway coach tour standard - uneatable. However the staff were as upset as we were and didn't charge us, apologising profusely and clearly embarrassed. We'd try again but make sure the real deal was on duty!

Review 96：The restaurant serves every day and has a well-reviewed master chef, who gives courses in Turkish cookery. The breakfast has to be the most extensive we've ever seen, catering to European, Arabic and Turkish tastes.

Review 97：NOTHING

Review 98：THE PERFECT LOCATION , THE PROFESSIONALISM AND KINDNESS OF ALL THE STAFF , THE VARIED AND ABUNDANT BREAKFAST !! PIER ANGELO & VALENTINA , VIMERCATE , ITALY

Review 99：We didn't much like the noisy neighbours who talked very loudly outside our bedroom window late at night for four of the five nights we were there. Stray cats seem to be encouraged and they prowl around.

Review 100：Location of the hotel was really good for the historic attractions as many within easy walking distance. Food in the district expensive but wonderful flavours.

Review 101：The little mess on the restaurant's terrace but that's exactly one of the Istanbul's charm and fancy aspect.

Review 102：Location, architectural style and rooms' design, fixtures, comfort, well balanced returned value for the cost, food diversity and quality (breakfast)

Review 103：Bad room service they entered the room while i was inside without knocking Bad bathroom The receptionist over charged me for a trip i wanted to go and sent me on a slightly diffrent one Bad bathroom Wifi not stable Breakfast is the same everyday soo boring They put me in the old building which was not as good as the new one The street of the hotel is very narrow do not be fooled by the pictures so taxi can not reach if a car is parked at the hotel Hotel did not guide me on how to use public transportation so i took taxi and paid alot

Review 104：Location very close to sultan ahmed

Review 105：You could see into the bathroom from the beds. Ok if you're a couple but I was with a friend in single beds and don't want to see each other shower or go to the toilet.

Review 106：Location was great for main attractions in the old town and near to the tram to get to other places easily. People at the front desk were very helpful and attentive. Breakfast was excellent with a wide range of foods. The room was very clean and everything seemed new.

Review 107：When we arrived they explained there were was no double room, though we had booked one, and put us in a terrible tiny room. We had to complain to change room, which was upseting. Apparently they did have a double room, but still much smaller than the pictures in Booking. For breakfast they charge extra for the orange juice, which we found outraging, in a city where a cup of fresh orange juice is just 1 turkish lira. The pillows were very hot and soft.

Review 108：Good location, very near to the blue mosque and aya sofia, 10 min walking distance from 2 tram stations, on a quiet street. The room was clean, nice decor. Wifi works well.

Review 109：There was nothing we didn't like, at all.

Review 110：we loved the ambiance of the hotel especially the beautifully furnished lounge. The food in the restaurant and the breakfasts were the best we found on our travels around several parts of Turkey. The staff were welcoming and very helpful, especially when we were booking excursions and travel beyond Istanbul.

Review 111：All fabulous

Review 112：Fantastic breakfast buffet Friendly and really informative staff Great location Great air con great shower Really clean Gorgeous entrance area to sit! beautiful furniture.

Review 113：A great hotel for a great price! I was very pleased with the location and the price. The breakfast was very nice with a lot of variety and fresh fruits and vegetables. The walk up the hill every morning was steep, but coming down every evening was very rewarding and the surrounding hotels had a great rooftops for dinner. Don't waste your time with the main restaurants on the busy street when you could have a beautiful view if the terrace. We took the metro to the hotel in the morning and then took a taxi to the airport. It was 40TL at 3:30am.

Review 114：don't bother with the hamam, breakfast is average.

Review 115：It's in a good location and quiet.

Review 116：Friendly staff, introduction abt history of the hotel, free upgrade to better room

Review 117：size of the rooms

Review 118：The service was very good, staff were very polite and super helpful in any of our needs.

Review 119：Staff were fantastic, great location!

Review 120：Breakfast is average, rooms ok by far not what you expect from the photos, wellness ok but expensive

Review 121：Personnel very friendly

Review 122：Breakfast could be better

Review 123：Location, a few minutes walk from all the main sights. Friendly staff. Exceptionally clean place.

Review 124：Nothing to dislike .

Review 125：Location was near major tourist attractions , staff were nice and very helpful , nice clean hotel .

Review 126：TV service, room

Review 127：The helpful staff

Review 128：Brilliant Location (close to Blue Mosque). Staff were brilliant, very helpful. Enjoyed our stay here alot

Review 129：Everything was great. I wish the breakfast be more different.

Review 130：Friendly staff make you feel at home

Review 131：Bathroom could be updated.

Review 132：Family operated.

The Fine Print

Every day between 17:00-19:00, 25% discount is offered for local drinks.A complimentary plate of olive oil dishes is offered upon arrival.