The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Istanbul

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Istanbul

Istanbul Istanbul

Visiting Istanbul, Turkey for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Istanbul, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Istanbul based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Istanbul for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Istanbul before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Istanbul for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Istanbul for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Swissôtel The Bosphorus - Istanbul

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $276 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

Located at Visnezade Mah. Acisu Sok. NO. 19, Swissôtel The Bosphorus - Istanbul has great rooms from $276 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 9.10 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 5 km from the city center, first time visitors will especially love a bar, parking, hiking, rooms with kitchens, and child care at this relaxing hotel. We love the convenience of room service, and it's really nice here.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


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The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $281 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul which has nice rooms starting at $281. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 9.00 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers parking, rooms with kitchenettes, child care, laundry services, and pet-friendly rooms which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.6 km from the city center. You'll love relaxing in the heated pool after a busy day exploring.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Private pool
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool
  • Kids' club


Akgun Istanbul Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted Collection

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $72 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Istanbul
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

We found Akgun Istanbul Hotel, WorldHotels Crafted Collection to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $72. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.00 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Adnan Menderes Bulvari Cayir Meydani Caddesi No: 43 Fatih. You'll also find a bar, child care, laundry services, city views, and a game room which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 1.9 km from the center of town. The pool here was very nice, relaxing, and fun. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Saltwater pool


Orka Royal Hotel & Spa

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $73 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

With terrific rooms from $73, Orka Royal Hotel & Spa, at Hocapasa Mah. Nobethane Cad., No:6 provides an outdoor pool, skiing, a pool bar, room service, and a restaurant. Its terrific guest rating is 8.00 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers a fitness center, scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, and parking. It's located just 2.4 km from the city center, too. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and so is the food. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Skiing
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Private pool
  • Breakfast in the room


Intercontinental Hotels Istanbul By IHG

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $160 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Istanbul
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.

Intercontinental Hotels Istanbul By IHG has a great guest rating of 8.70 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. The great rooms here start at $160 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Asker Ocagi Cad No: 1 Taksim. Furthermore, it also offers a bar, parking, laundry services, city views, and a spa, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 4.3 km from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. Don't forget to spend some time at the terrific pool bar where you can unwind and relax.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $153 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly

The great guest rating of Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia is 8.70 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $153, and it's located at Kayisdagi Caddesi No 3, Atasehir. We also love the laundry services, golf, city views, a hot tub, and a spa which are great for visitors. And since it's just 13.3 km from the center of the town, the location is great, too. We love relaxing in a hot tub after a long day, and the one here is really nice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club


Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $130 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Istanbul
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

A cool place is Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler because it has great rooms that start at $130. It has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at Cengiz Topel Caddesi No: 39, Etiler. Only 11 km from the city center, travelers will especially love a bar, parking, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, and pet-friendly rooms at this convenient hotel. Being able to prepare food in the room is also very convenient.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $265 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $265 (before taxes). It's located at Cumhuriyet Cad. No:50, Harbiye and has earned a guest rating of 9.40/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers a bar, parking, a kitchen, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.7 km from the city center. We always love being able to cook meals in a hotel room, and the kitchen here was a nice touch.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Kitchen
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Kid-friendly
  • Airport shuttle
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchen/Kitchenette
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Tennis
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room


Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $783 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at Ciragan Cad. No. 28, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus has great rooms from $783 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. It has a terrific 9.20 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find parking, laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, and a spa which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 6.1 km from the center of town. Everyone loves a nice indoor pool, and the one here does not disappoint!

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


The St. Regis Istanbul

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $332 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Istanbul
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is The St. Regis Istanbul which has nice rooms starting at $332. Offering room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and hiking, it also has a great guest rating of 9.20 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Mim Kemal Oke Cad No 35. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, city views, a spa, and an indoor pool. It's located just 5.2 km from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Also, take a look at the first time trip hotels in nearby destinations: Istanbul, Bursa, Arnavutköy, Şile, and Yalova.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Istanbul, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Istanbul, Best Luxury Hotels in Istanbul, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Istanbul, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Istanbul, Best Hotels for One Week in Istanbul, Best Hotels for One Night in Istanbul, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Istanbul, Best Adults Only Hotels in Istanbul, Best Party Hotels in Istanbul, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Istanbul, Best Hotels for Skiing in Istanbul, Best Business Hotels in Istanbul, or Best Party Hotels in Istanbul.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Istanbul?

Istanbul Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$90

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Istanbul, Turkey. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Istanbul, Turkey based on data from 1039 hotels is an affordable $90. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Istanbul.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $163
  • 4-star hotels: $86
  • 3-star hotels: $64
  • 2-star hotels: $59


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