Istanbul Queen Seagull Hotel Review
Istanbul Queen Seagull Hotel Review
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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was end of December 2012 when we came to Istanbul for the first time. We came on a very short vacation with a family – Kaspars’s brother and sister – to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It was only the third time abroad and the first time – this far away. Istanbul seemed so chaotic, colorful and rather dirty. But nevertheless – we fell in love with this bustling city of the East.
This year, in spring, after spending one month separately (Kaspars was hiking with a group in Nepal, I – volunteering in a village near Antalya), we came to Istanbul for the second time. After hub bub, extreme pollution and chaos of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, Istanbul seemed like a super clean, super organized and super modern city. But at the same time Istanbul is so different from Antalya, the fifth most populous city in Turkey, located on the Mediterranean coast! If Antalya reminds me more of Europe than Asia, even though geographically it is Asia, Istanbul is quite the opposite.
Last time we stayed in an apartment near Taksim square, on Istiklal Street, right in the middle of action. This time we chose to stay somewhere quiet, and Queen Seagull Hotel seemed like a perfect place. It is a little and inexpensive boutique hotel located in a rather peaceful neighborhood.
Perfect place to rest after a long journey. Kaspars had had 4 flights in 2 days. So this is exactly what we needed.
Thank you, Queen Seagull, for hosting us during our trip to beautiful Istanbul!
View from veranda, Queen Seagull Hotel – Istanbul, Turkey
Location of Queen Seagull Hotel and How to Get There
Address: Yedikule Mahallesi, Yedikule İstasyonu Caddesi No:53, 34107 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.
Queen Seagull Hote (their website) is located in Yedikule, which is a neighborhood of Fatih district. Yedikule is one of the oldest parts of Istanbul, and it is named after Yedikule Fortress, which surrounds Yedikule neighborhood.
Queen Seagull Hotel is located 9 km Southwest from Taksim Square, on the other side of Atatürk Bridge. Click here to see the map.
As I mentioned before, Queen Seagull Hotel is located in a rather peaceful neighborhood. But it doesn’t mean that it is in the middle of nowhere. İmrahor İlyasbey Street is located nearby. There one can find a lot of different local eateries, supermarkets, ATMs and various shops. Besides, a couple of parks and Yedikule Fortress are located nearby.
The nearest commuter train station is Kazlicesme station (Marmaray train line; Kazlıçeşme İstasyonu), 15 minute walk away from hotel. From there it is very easy to get to Taksim, Sultan Ahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque), Istiklal Street, Grand Bazaar and other remarkable landmarks of Istanbul.
Queen Seagull Hotel is not that far from Sultanahmet district – the distance is around 5,5 km. It’s a nice walk, we did it ourselves. And I am happy we did, because we were able to see another face of Istanbul. Smaller streets and neighborhoods, and tiny traditional shops not only the most popular tourist sights.
If you want to visit fancier restaurants or shops, go to Yenikapi metro station. You will find even more shops and restaurants in this area. You don’t need to take metro, if you want to walk. The distance is only 2,4 km.
It is very easy to get to Queen Seagull hotel from the airports and bus station as well:
To get from Istanbul Ataturk Aiport: take M1 (red) line to the last station (Yenikapi) and change to Marmaray line. You will need to get off at the next station – Kazlicesme.
To get from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport: take a bus to Taksim square. It will drop you off near (2-minute walk away) Taksim metro station. Take a metro to Yenikapi (M2; green line) and then change to Marmaray line and get off at Kazlicesme station.
To get from Bus Terminal (Otogar): take M1 (red) line to the last station (to Yenikapi) and change to Marmaray line. You will need to get off at the next station – Kazlicesme.
Decorations and plants, Queen Seagull Hotel – Istanbul, Turkey
Inside Queen Seagull Hotel and Tariffs
No, Queen Seagull is not one of those grand chained-brand hotels. It is a small and cozy, retro style boutique hotel. Interior of the rooms and the building itself is old-fashioned. Rooms are very pretty, as every piece of furniture matches one another. Warm colors are used in interior design. Carpeted floors on the landings and steps make it feel even more comfy.
There are only 6 rooms – three on the first floor and three on the second:
- 17 m 2 twin or double room,
- 21 m 2 twin or double room with sea view,
- 15 m 2 twin or double room with sea view,
- 17 m 2 twin or double room,
- 19 m 2 twin or double room with sea view and balcony,
- 13 m 2 twin or double room with sea view.
We stayed in one of the smallest rooms with a sea view. The room was rather small, but cozy. The bed was very comfy and the bathroom quite spacious. There was a big LCD TV in the room, a hairdryer, a small fridge, a safe box, and an electric kettle with complimentary tea and coffee. The only drawback – there was only one power socket in the room, and fridge was already plugged in. And another one in the bathroom. Luckily we had a travel adapter, which let us to plug in fridge and charge our phones all at the same time.
Our room in Queen Seagull Hotel, Istanbul
Veranda and dining area are located on the third floor, and breakfast is served there. Kitchen is on the third floor as well, but it is for staff only (to prepare breakfast for clients). Several types of tea and coffee are provided for breakfast.
The lobby’s very cute. There are beautiful old fashioned chairs, tables and a bookcase full of books. Soft drinks, tea and coffee is sold at the reception.
The rates are starting from 45 EUR (up to 100 EUR) per night, depending on the size of the room and season (low, mid, high).
Lobby, Queen Segull Hotel, Istanbul
Other Services at Queen Seagull Hotel
- Breakfast is included. Delicious traditional Turkish breakfast is served.
- Coffee, tea and soft drinks can be bought at the reception any time.
- Many of the books and guidebooks displayed are for sale.
- Few types of souvenirs, maps and postcards are for sale, too.
- The hotel provides a local guide if needed.
- Guests can get any information about Istanbul any time.
- Free one way transfer from the airport to the hotel is provided if the stay is at least 3 days-long.
Book your stay at Queen Seagull Hotel – Booking.com, Agoda.